Raggedy Ann
My mom’s sister, who I always called Aunt Audrey, made the cutest Raggedy Ann dolls. She always embroidered a heart on Ann’s tummy that said I Love You. I think that was a tradition when making Raggedy Ann dolls.
Raggedy Ann was a fictional character created by writer Johnny Gruelle. Mister Gruelle wrote children’s books beginning in 1880. The character was created in 1915 as a doll, and was introduced to the public in the 1918 book Raggedy Ann Stories. A doll was also marketed along with the book to great success.
Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, when she brought him an old hand-made rag doll and he drew a face on it.
Marcella died at age 13 after being vaccinated at school for smallpox without her parents’ consent. Authorities blamed a heart defect, but her parents blamed the vaccination. Gruelle became an opponent of vaccination, and the Raggedy Ann doll was used as a symbol by the anti-vaccination movement.
Well, I just learned a lot! First, I thought Aunt Grace had made my Raggedy Ann doll, guess I had that wrong! Secondly, I had no idea the story behind the doll, very interesting.
I’d forgotten that I once had a Raggedy Ann doll! How I loved that thing!
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I was thinking that Aunt Audrey made that doll. You should ask mom while she is with Aunt Grace so we know for sure.