Raggedy Ann 25" Doll is a Classic
Written: Sep 30 '02
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Pros: She is soft and cuddly. She is a classic and really special.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: Raggedy Ann is a Classic. She is adorable and will be loved and hugged or sit in a special place as a collector's item.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Raggedy Ann 25" Doll |
I am reviewing the Classic Raggedy Ann doll. Raggedy Ann really is a classic but new dolls come out also. There is a whole page of dolls at http://www.funtocollect.com/ragannanclas.html if you want to take a peak.
Background:
I never bought Raggedy Ann for my daughters and they never got her as a gift but she makes a wonderful gift. I bought her for myself as I was walking in the center of our quaint town and happened by a toy boutique. There she was with Andy (I bought him also.) and I could picture them sitting on my wicker chairs in my sunroom. I rarely splurge like that but I did and am glad! I spent $35.00 on Raggedy Ann, but you can find her for less on line and if you buy Ann and Andy together you may pay about $60.00 for the pair.
Who is Raggedy Ann?
There are wonderful websites where you can read about the story behind the doll, but to give you a taste of her, this is from http://todaysseniorsnetwork.com/amazing_arcola.htm
“Arcola is the birthplace of Raggedy Ann, the doll that has captivated our hearts for more than 80 years. The loveable doll is the creation of John Gruell. But the poignant story behind her creation is a wonderful tribute to Johnny's daughter, Marcella. Prior to World War I, the pre-teen Marcella found a tattered rag doll in her grandmother's attic. She excitedly showed it to her father, Johnny, who was an artist of some repute and had moved about 125 miles east to the larger city of Indianapolis.
Johnny drew a face on the doll and took a pair of scissors to cut out a paper hear on which he wrote, "I Love You."
About her:
My Raggedy Ann is 25 inches tall, made of cloth with hair like yarn making her a true rag doll. Many are smaller, but I wanted a large one so she would be sitting in the chair, be visible and childlike.
First her face: Most of Ann’s features are embroidered on and the stitching is perfect. She has a great smile with some of her mouth and all of her triangle nose done in red. Her eyes are made of buttons but her eyebrows and lashes beneath her eyes are all embroidered. She is a beautiful doll. I truly can’t imagine anyone not falling in love with her, though I must admit my husband and my children were not all that impressed that mom spent this much money on dolls, especially since I am not a doll collector in the true sense of the word.
She is soft and flexible: Raggedy Ann can sit by herself, but she is not a doll that a child will play with in that fashion. She cannot stand on her own. More about my take on who would like her and why in a moment. She is totally floppy and everything but her neck moves around. Her neck is attached to her body and does not move.
Her looks: I really am amazed at something. The cushion she and Andy sit on has faded from the sun, but they have not. I think that speaks to the quality of this doll. (and the lack of quality of my cushion!) Ann’s hair and clothes are exactly the same color as the day I bought her. She will last me a long, long time.
She has no ears but her classic red; yarn hair covers the crown of her head down to the sides. The yarn is about 2 inches in length but since it is made of yarn, this is not a doll whose hair your child will comb.
Her clothes: Although Raggedy Ann’s clothes can all be taken off, she is not a doll that gets dressed and undressed. They come off more to clean than for any other reason. Her clothes are a classic. My Raggedy Ann (and they vary by type) is the Classic and has a blue dress on that has red and white decorations on it. It closes by a Velcro strip so it is easy to take off and on. She wears what are called bloomers under the dress which have elastic around the ankle. Her cloth legs are red and white and her feet, which like her hands, do not have toes or fingers are black. She does have a semblance of a thumb. A white frilly collar is around her neck. She is famous for her apron, which can be untied and slipped right off.
Raggedy Ann has an embroidered heart on her chest with "I Love You" in the center.It is embroidered in red and the heart is about 1 1/2 inches so it is quite visible. You will not have to hunt for this. Her name, "Raggedy Ann", is embroidered on her apron and a red line goes across the apron.
The Applause/Dakin Company makes her.
I have kept both her tags on her which I do for all my dolls, trolls, stuffed animals and beanie babies. It is advised that these tags be taken off before giving her to a child.
Cleaning her: Although her clothes can be machine-washed (use cold water on gentle or wash them by hand) she cannot be immersed in water. To clean her use a cloth with warm water and mild detergent and then let her air dry.
Why would your child benefit from Raggedy Ann?
Unlike Madeline who is clearly both a wonderful play doll and a doll that your child can talk to and dress with lots of accessories, Raggedy Ann is not. This is just my opinion of Raggedy Ann’s purpose in life. Her purpose is to be loved. Although she is not inexpensive, if you are giving this to a child, don’t be afraid that she or he will ruin her. I see Raggedy Ann being used as the doll that gets dragged everywhere to hug and be a friend. I see Raggedy Ann as the doll that gets tucked in at night with your child. She is soft and cuddly and this is my vision of her. She can be cleaned and if something spills on her that won't come off, so what. It will just add to her character.
However, older children and adults will see her as a collector’s item and she will have a very special place in your child’s bedroom, perhaps on her rocking chair that you used to rock her to sleep in when she was a baby or on a special shelf to watch over her at night. Whatever choice you make for Raggedy Ann will be the right one.
My final thoughts:
My friend is expecting a baby in a couple of months and it wasn’t until I reviewed this doll that I realized what I would be giving her as a gift. I love Raggedy Ann and can’t recommend her enough. She is a must have for your child to hold and hug or for her or his collection. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. I can now put Raggedy Ann back on her chair, she hasn’t been happy without Andy- I left him in the sunroom.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 35.00
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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