Raggedy Duo in Public Domain But Does Anyone Play With Them Nowadays?

Never used nowadays lately but had to look it up to be sure I spelled it correctly.

While in Ohio this past weekend, I was helping sort through some toys in the playroom.  Matchbox cars here, a duffel bag of puppets, strollers and baby dolls and a whole tub of action figures like Batman and Star Wars light sabers.  A box of wooden blocks.

The grandchildren are growing up and many of the younger toys aren’t being played with and room needs to be made for new ventures.

These Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls were gifts from Great Aunt Bobbie when Anna(9) was born.  They looked exactly the same way they have smiled at me for all these years. No change in expression.  Just grinning. They looked almost brand new.

I took them upstairs and set them up in my father’s old oak rocker which is now in Mark’s office.  They didn’t object to being photographed.  I started thinking about rag dolls and how they aren’t trendy and I wondered if people are still buying them.  These are lovingly handmade in Kansas City and  I think of them as classics.  Nostalgia sets in.   (more…)

February 25, 2013 | Categories: Childhood, Photography | Tags: childhood, doll collection, dolls, family, Furniture, Johnny Gruelle, nostalgia, photography, playtime, Rag doll, Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Raggedy Ann Doll, rocking chair, toys, travel, vintage | 29 Comments »