For more than 85 years this darling doll has been charming her way into our hearts! According to legend Raggedy Ann was born in 1908 when Johnny Gruelle created a little rag doll for his young daughter Marcella. He had found a doll in the attic one day spruced her up by adding yarn hair and gave her to his daughter. She was delighted and loved the doll with the happy smile.

In 1915, at the age of 13, Marcella became very ill from an infection and passed away. Johnny Gruelle was very sad, he thought of Marcella and he thought of the doll she loved so much.

Johnny was a professional illustrator and writer, using his talents, he completed a book about a little floppy doll he called Raggedy Ann. P.F. Volland published Raggedy Ann Stories in 1918.

The Gruelle family also began to make rag dolls in 1915, stitching a little candy heart on to the chest each of doll and almost immediately demand for this sweetheart of a doll was strong. Some of the earliest dolls have been preserved by collectors and can still be seen in museums today.

These early dolls had red and white striped legs, black shoes painted over the striped fabric, brown yarn hair, tin or wooden buttons for eyes, and a triangular nose.

In 1920 Raggedy Ann's brother Andy joined his sister, as a new doll and as a character in a new book of stories. These early editions from Volland remained popular throughout the depression and up until 1934, when tough times caused Volland to stop manufacturing the dolls.

Lucky for doll lovers, this would not mark the end of America’s little sweetheart!

Still going strong after 85 years, Raggedy Ann and Andy continue to bring love and happiness into the hearts of little girls and collectors!