Iconic American toy Raggedy Ann celebrates her 100th birthday this week, and a local relative of the doll’s creator wants to make it a memorable celebration.
Cindy Gruelle Goho, of Mohrsville, is the great-niece of Johnny Gruelle, the creator of the original Raggedy Ann doll. Goho and her husband, Rick, who have an extensive collection of Raggedy Ann dolls, memorabilia and vintage toys from the 1930s through 1975, will mark the anniversary of the first patent issued for Raggedy Ann on Sept. 7, 1915, with a display and sale at the Leesport Auction Toy Show on Sunday, Sept. 6.
Walking through Rick and Cindy Goho’s 1840s farmhouse is like stepping back in time. The couple have lovingly recreated rooms as they would have appeared in various eras using antiques, found items and reconstructed artifacts. Two rooms are filled with hundreds of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, mirrors, books and even window shades decorated with the doll’s image.
Among the collection, which numbers more than a thousand, is a Raggedy Ann from the 1930s and a two-faced “awake-asleep” Raggedy doll, which was made for a special occasion and is no longer manufactured. The couple also own vintage Raggedy Ann books, posters, lunchboxes, napkins, cups, spoons and coasters that they designed especially for the 90th birthday a decade ago. The couple have built their collection by flea market and antique shopping as well as through gifts from friends and family.
Cindy said she is careful to purchase only those Raggedy Anns that are authentic, and that means nothing handmade.
“The real ones have a heart that says ‘I love you’ printed on the doll’s chest under the dress,” she explained. “Also, most of the authentic faces are not stitched, that’s a giveaway.”
Rick Goho pointed out that Raggedy Anns from the period in the 1930s when Georgene Novelties held the rights to manufacture them have a curved shape on the nose, which is unique.
Cindy finds the history of it all inspiring.
“It’s so interesting because of how well everything was made,” she said. “It lasts, it holds up. It all has its own unique style.”
She also notes that, as times have changed, children’s interest in Raggedy Ann types of dolls have changed, too.
“Today, girls don’t play with dolls as much as they used to,” she said. “It’s nice for them to see Raggedy Ann and to remember where dolls came from so long ago.”
She pointed out that over 100 years the doll has been manufactured by nine different toy companies, including, at one time, the Johnny Gruelle Company, owned by Cindy’s grandfather, Justin, and Johnny’s widow, Myrtle. Sometimes, she said, the era in which the doll was made determined the look of Raggedy Ann.
“I have a pair of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls which were made to mimic the ones created during World War II,” she said. “The legs have blue and white stripes, as well as red and white stripes, because during the war red-striped material was hard to find.”
One of the items they will offer for sale on Sept. 6 is a set of miniature Raggedy Ann and Andy Barbie dolls.
“Most people know the name ‘Raggedy Ann’ as second only to Barbie,” Cindy said.
She noted that both dolls are in the National Toy Hall of Fame in New York. The Gohos will also sell sets of Raggedy Ann drink coasters signed by Cindy, as well as by Joni and Kim Gruelle, the grandchildren of originator Johnny Gruelle.
Although she has siblings and cousins, Cindy is one of a few family members who keep their connection to Raggedy Ann alive. The Gohos’ daughter, LuAnn, and granddaughters, Paisley and Goclyn, also love the dolls and often participate in commemorations. Cindy said that her husband is a key factor in helping and supporting her in maintaining the link to her past.
“My hope is that people will always remember Raggedy Ann as being a true American icon,” she said.
Visitors to the Leesport Auction Toy Show can find the Gohos’ Raggedy Ann display outdoors from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Admission and parking are free.
