P.F. Volland Co. Raggedy Ann & Andy, and Beloved Belindy Dolls
The P.F. Volland Company was the original publisher and distributer of Johnny Gruelle\'s children\'s books. After \"Raggedy Ann Stories\" was published in 1917, the question arose, \"Where\'s the doll?\" To answer the question, members of the Gruelle family banded together and made about three dozen dolls. Then a request came from Marshall Fields Department Store in Chicago to use the dolls to promote book sales.
During this time the Gruelle family licensed the P.F. Volland Company to arrange larger-scale manufacturing of Raggedy Ann Dolls. Two years later, after the Raggedy Andy book was published, Volland also arranged for the Andy dolls to be made. The earliest manufactured Raggedy distributed by Volland were 15 inches (38cm) to 16 inches (41cm) tall and had brown or auburn hair that usually was sparse or did not cover the back of the head. The feet turned outward. Very early Andy has slight longer legs to accommodate the pants. Hands often were oversized and some have very large thumbs.
These dolls were my grandmothers who was born in 1923. She received the dolls at age 5 ( 1928). These 3 dolls have been together since around 1928 (about 90 years) and I would like to keep them together. These dolls were so loved by her! I\'ve included 2 pictures of her with her beloved dolls. My grandmother (Ann Small Niess)had such an imagination and I grew up hearing the most incredible stories of her adventures with her dolls as she was an only child. She lived in a very old historical house in York PA and even wrote a self- published book (Elmwood House, If it Could Speak, What Stories Would it Tell) about growing up in that era in a house that was moved by mules to a new location as well as was part of the underground railroad. The dolls have been properly stored in air conditioning wrapped in acid free paper. You can search my grandmothers name and find some wonderful articles about her in the York PA Newspaper.Beloved Belindy- 15\" tall and you can feel hercardboard heart inside. She also has her original clothes. This is a FIRST EDITION DOLL.1928
Raggedy Andy- 18\" to top of hat. His original clothes are sewn on. I was told by my grandmother that this was a 1st Edition doll, but I\'ve received response that he may not be. 1928
Raggedy Ann- 16\" tall and you can feel hercardboard heart inside. She does not have her original clothes. 1930
Appraisals on Antique Roadshow 2016 value Volland Raggedy Ann & Andy with original clothes at $3,000-4,000 and Beloved Belindy at $2,000.Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
