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favorites from my collection

copyright a. tabbat 2003


Every Raggedy collector has a favorite era or manufacturer of the dolls. The ones I love best were sold by the P.F. Volland Co., from 1918 - 1934. The Vollands really capture the way I envision the simple hand-me-down dolls that Johnny Gruelle wrote about in his stories. Although the other characters here may be less familiar, nearly all are from the pages of Gruelle's books or comic strips. Almost all of these toys were sold by Volland, but some were produced by famous makers like Steiff or Schoenhut. There are three Volland dolls on the bottom shelf (above) that are not really related to Gruelle, but they were advertised with Raggedy Ann and I enjoy seeing them together.

At the top left is a Raggedy Ann made in 1935 by Exposition Doll & Toy Mfg. Co. All other dolls on that shelf are by Molly-'Es Doll Outfitters, dating from 1934 - 1937.


The rag dolls on the lower shelf are by Georgene Novelties. Most of these examples were made in the late-1930's to mid-1940's. The exception is the smaller Beloved Belindy doll, dating from the 1950's.


All of the other fun stuff on these shelves was produced during the early 1940's: party supplies, pins, a bar of soap, a rubber squeak-toy, a tiny purse, wooden toys, and two oilcloth beanbags. And this is just a small sampling of the wonderful Raggedy items made back then!


Thanks for visiting.


For a FREE REFRIGERATOR MAGNET with the above picture of Raggedy Ann and the book, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Raggedy Magnet Offer

115 Alpine Terrace

San Francisco, CA. 94117-3112

Only one magnet per household, please!