Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Rednesday


Are these vintage Raggedy Ann and Andy's not beautiful?
These were on display at the antique mall. However, they were a bit pricey for my budget.

Ragged Ann was a fictional character created by the American writer, Johnny Gruelle, for a series of children books. (1880 -1938)
Gruelle created the  Raggedy Ann doll for his daughter Marcella when she brought him an old rag doll and he drew a face for it.



He introduced Raggedy Andy dressed in a sailor suit and hat in 1920.

Marcella died at age 13 after being vaccinated for smallpox without her parent 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.
So glad you dropped by and y'all come back.


I'm linking to Rednesday  Visit for more pretty reds.


10 comments:

  1. I was Raggedy Ann for Halloween once when I was younger and my brother was Andy. It's interesting to hear about her history!

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  2. Wow what an interesting rendition. And very sad. I believe the small pox vacination made many children sick before it became what is is today....a life saver. Thanks for the enlightenment.

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  3. Wow, I never knew about his daughter's death and the anti-vaccination movement. Another tidbit of history I learned!

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  4. Enjoyed your Raggedy Ann feature today. I find most things in the antique malls are a little pricey.

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  5. I love Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, they are adorable. Great lesson on the history of the vaccination. Thanks for sharing it. Great photos.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  6. I loved learning this piece of history! I never had a Raggedy Ann or Andy when I was little, but I made sure and got a pair for our daughter. I don't think she ever played with them, so maybe I actually bought them for myself!
    Happy REDnesday,
    Carol

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  7. MY daughter had both Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls, and I've saved them for hopefully her children to play with one day! I never knew the history behind the dolls and their maker-- it was very interesting!

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  8. I never knew the story behind R. Ann and Andy. Thank you for sharing.
    My mom bought me a Raggedy Andy and my sister a Raggedy Ann. I still have him.
    My mom also made some from my nieces. Just two weeks ago, she gave me her old pattern. I plan to make one ofr my DGD!!

    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice message.

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  9. I've always loved Raggedy Ann and Andy. My girls,however, are scared of them!! LOL!! I never knew the background of Raggedy Ann, thank you so much for sharing!
    Hope your week is going well!
    -April

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  10. I love Raggedy Ann,but I did not know the sad story behind her .

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Have a blessed day!
Annette