We
love to hear from our happy customers and share
our memories together. If you have a fond memory
of Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy or any of their friends
and you would like to share your story with us
please send an email to the webmaster
and attach picture if you like and we will post
it here. A BIG RAGGEDY
THANK YOU to those who have sent
us a story!
NEW!
Marie's Story
Ever
since I can remember every year for Christmas
I looked forward to seeing those two cute cuddly
'friends' among the gifts under the tree. Up until
the year I turned twelve, that’s when I
received my last set of Raggedy Ann and Andy 'friends'.
Of course I was upset that I would not be seeing
those two adorable faces any more (because I was
'too old' for them).
This
past year my children and boyfriend gave me a
smaller set for my birthday, a larger set for
Christmas ,then a big Ann for Valentines Day.
They've brought back so many of those childhood
memories. Now I've got a nice collection going,
and I've still got the last set of my raggedies
from when I was 12.
Andy
is in decent shape (he needs a foot). Poor little
Ann . Well let's say 'she was well loved, (she
is missing most of her (beautiful) face (including
one eye), part of a leg, some hair, her original
cloths, and some stuffing. But even with those
flaws I still love them to this day, and would
not ever part with them .
My
sister calls all of them my' little red headed
children'. I just hope that they continue making
them. Even though their clothing patterns have
changed through the years one thing never will,
my love for them.
Marie
Vaughn
Janet's
Story
My
name is Jan and I thought I would write and send
you some pictures. My mom is an collector of Annie
and Andy, as well as a quilter and a great grandma.
It has become a tradition in our family that when
a child is born that for their first christmas
grandma makes a Raggedy Ann and for their first
birthday it is always Andy's turn.
Through
the years there has been five grandchildren and
great grandchildren who have received Annie and
Andy's (10 dolls) in all. It got to the point
that the moms (my sister and myself) got miffted
and requested that we deserved our dolls too.
I
received a present of Annie and Andy in feedsack
original from the 1930's, in pink and green, and
Annie has her cape also. My sister received hers
in the traditional outfits for her birthday. My
mom has also made a Belinda for a friend of hers
as a gift.
The
dolls were made from original patterns printed
for sale through the pattern companies. The grandma
is currently documenting her collection and is
always looking and buying new ones to add to the
collection.
Enclosed are some pictures
Thank you for your site.
Janet Dulaney-Saunders
Washington, DC
NEW!
Linda's Story
I
received my first raggedy ann doll, yesterday.
I am 56 years old and always wanted a raggedy
family. I bought ann on e-bay. She is an 85 anniversary
doll, from Dakin Co. My greatest treasure is yet
to come. I also won a raggedy andy doll by Applause.
It was a 75 anniversary doll and was signed by
you and your dad at a Norwalk, Connecticut signing.
He is doll 2027 out of 1000 and there is a drawing
of raggedy ann with "magical wishes"
on his bottom, and Worth and Kim Gruelle. I will
treasure him and love him. I did not buy him for
value, but to love and cherish. I really was surprised
to win him. Rest assured he will have a loving
home. He is still in his original box, so I will
try to take good care of him. These dolls are
truly magical, much nicer to hold than hard rubber
dolls.
Thank
You for keeping this art alive.
Linda
Debbie's
Story
My
name is Debbie and I am from Newark, Ohio. When
my younger sister was little, my parents bought
her a 36" Knickerbocker Raggedy Andy doll.
It was very precious to her and she still owns
it to this day. I loved it too.
Now
I am 40 something, and always wanted to sew a
set of dolls. I had surgery a couple of years
ago and to pass the time, I decided to sew a set
of Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls. I haven't stopped
sewing them since.
I
give them to family members & friends as gifts,
to my little girl's school to raffle and also
for my church to raffle. I truly enjoy making
them. Once you start, you just fall in love with
their sweet little faces. I hand knot the hair
and sew them with extra TLC.
(I always buy a Raggedy Ann and Andy book to give
along with the set of dolls.) I know that whoever
receives them, will love them just as much as
me.
I
have attached a few pictures of my beloved hobby
- thank you Mr. Gruelle!
Raggedy's
Mission
(Update)
Hello,
Joe Gorney again. I wanted to update the first
story I wrote (Raggedy's Mission) because
alot has changed since I wrote it. She and I
have been to many more places, all with pictures
that are filling up a scrapbook. To name a few,
Seattle, Las Vegas & London. I am writing
this because I just opened another e-mail account
for any suggestions or comments about where to
have her upcoming pictures taken. The story got
out and is now spreading like wild fire. The
email address is: raggedy_ann11@yahoo.com
I am currently with the Air Force at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and will
be traveling to Japan in the upcoming future...and of course Raggedy Ann will
be joining me. After my 1 year tour in Korea, I will be going to Turkey. As you
can see, she is a world traveler with many more places to go.
Any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated and I will continue to
update you on the most famous doll, well, in the world
Pam's Story
My name is Pam and I am 27 years
old. I live in Bowdoin, Maine. When I was a
baby my
nursery
theme was Raggedy Ann. Growing up my Aunt had
a set of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that her
Grandmother had made and aIways begged her
to give them to me (but always assumed they would
go to her own girls). When I had my wedding
shower
I recieved a large gift bag from her. Thinking
it was it was one of the usual wedding show
gift, I read the card and opened it. Inside the
bag
was the set of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.
I broke down right then and there. It was the
most
wonderful gift ever. Well now I have my own
little girl and even though her nursery theme
is not
Raggedy Ann and Andy, they are still apart
of her life. Here is a picture of her sitting
on
a blanket mad by her great aunt, with the larger
dolls that were made by her great, great, great
grandmother, a smaller set of dolls made by
her grandmother, a new doll she got for Christmas,
and the outfit that I wore as a baby made by
her great grandmother. It is a collection that
we will treasure forever. Pam
Diana
E's Story
When
I was about 5 years Old, my gramma made me my
first raggedy Ann and raggedy Andy dolls. I loved
those two dolls more than I ever did my other
(beautiful dolls). They were more, they got me
through a kind of scary childhood. I was safe
with them.
But, always a but, I was in a terrible accident
and lost track of a lot of my personal treasures.
Then, my friend suggested looking on the internet
to see if I could at least try to replace them.
I think they’re smiling little faces will
make me feel a lot better.
Thanks for letting me ramble on, but I think you
and your family make generations of happiness,
everyday. Thank you from all of us who still love
the raggedy pair. I’m going to go in now
and hopefully can find what I’m looking for.
Thank you for your time-dia3110
(diana e.)
Raggedy's
Mission
My
name is Joseph Gorney and I am currently deployed
with the United States Air Force in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. This is my story of
Raggedy Ann. In September of 2001, a 5 year old
girl gave me her Raggedy Ann doll when I was supposed
to be deployed after September 11th. Even though
I wasn't deployed at that time, I kept the doll
with me wherever I went. To this day, I still
have the doll and I have pictures of her and I
in every place that I have been to. Some places
include: At the pyramids in Egypt, in front of
Air Force One, Ground Zero, and many more. So
far my doll has been to 9 different countries
and over 10 different states, all with pictures.
I have documentation proving that she was flown
on a combat mission over Afghanistan and next
year she will hopefully be taking another flight,
on the Space Shuttle. My plan for Raggedy Ann
is, when the girl turns 18, to give her the scrapbook,
stories and doll back so she can continue the
tradition. My doll is no longer just a doll to
me, it's part of my life, thus being part of a
mission.
Michelle
W.'s Story
In
1973 I was seven years old and was somewhat sick
as a child. I lived south of Kansas City, Missouri
then. I was scheduled to have an operation at
Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. When
I came out into recovery, I awoke to a handmade
Raggedy Ann doll, that someone had made for me.
That is how we became introduced and I have never
forgotten that experience, and how it made me
feel. I loved that doll. And continue to love
her even though time has parted us. I was born
on Valentine's Day, the day of love, and believe
that in some way there is a connection to these
events. I believe in God and I believe in unconditional
love, and that is what that Raggedy Ann doll gave
to me at a time when I thought I was all alone.
Your
Friend,
Michelle W.
My
name is Brianna Francis and I'm 10 months old!
My mom has introduced me to an old friend of hers......Raggedy
Ann! I love to sit and watch t.v. with her and
read books! We have so much fun together! She
makes me laugh and she can play pat-a-cake with
me! We can even play with the old rolly polly
ball! I will love her forever!
Hi
There!
My story is short, but sweet! Back in the 70's,
my mom had bought me a few Raggedy Ann dolls.
But there was a particular doll that was my favorite!
I would bring her EVERYWHERE with me! I'm now
almost 33 years old and my memory is faint, but
I can never forget hiding her in my lunchbox and
bringing her to school with me ( imagine trying
to stuff a 15" Raggedy Ann in your lunch
box?! ). I would rush home after school and run
up to my bedroom and quickly take her out and
try to clean up any peanut butter and fluff or
peanut butter and jelly off of her before my mom
noticed! I would take her on my field trips at
school, bike rides at home, even swimming in my
little blue plastic pool! Gosh, I wish I still
had her!
Well, I'm now a mother of two, a soon to be 7
years old boy, and a 10 month old daughter (Brianna
Francis). I have started a collection of old and
new Raggedy Ann dolls/toys, etc. for my daughter.
She really loves the baby Ann & Andy that
was made by Playskool back in 1989. I think because
they are small enough for her to hug! Which brings
me to a thought! For some reason, Raggedy Ann
& Andy have somehow become "collectible
only" dolls. Back in the 70's and 80's they
were made to be a child's toy. They made lots
of things for babies & children to play with
and now today they don't. I really wish they would
make the baby toys ( rattles, crib toys, playsets,
dinnerware, etc.) again. Don't you?
Anyway, I'm enclosing a cute photo of my daughter
sitting with the larger Knickerbocker Ann doll.
My daughter is also wearing a Raggedy Ann &
Andy outfit, even though it's hard to see! Here
is her photo and story! Enjoy!
Sarah Ladensack
Age 3
Tuckasegee, NC
I
have two Raggedy Anns that I love very much. I
like to dress them and they like to sleep with
me. They like to ride in the car with me too.
They like to ride my wooden horse and play tea
party with me.
