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Updated September 2011
Not So RaggedyAcresTM
by Gayle Garbarino
~ Heirloom
Quality Collectible Treasures ~
~ Beloved Belindy ~
~
Designed and Created by Doll Artist -Gayle Garbarino ~
On July 1, 1926, Johnny Gruelle authorized
the P. F. Volland Company to begin selling
the Beloved Belindy character doll as a tie-in to his
forthcoming book bearing the same name.
And so began the journey and adventures of Beloved
Belindy......
Best Friend and the mammy of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy
and of
all the other dolls in "Marcella's" nursery.
....... THE NICEST FATTEST SOFT RAG DOLL YOU WOULD EVER CARE TO CUDDLE!
AND THE SMILE PAINTED ON HER BROAD FACE WAS AS CHEERY AS CAN BE,
.......AND WHEN A SMILE IS "PAINTED" ON, IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN NEVER TO COME OFF!!...
The P.F. Volland Company's first Beloved Belindy doll was 15" tall.
She had hand-painted or silk-screened face; solid red shoes & bandana, with side facing feet.
She was produced from 1926-1933.
An "Original" Volland Beloved Belindy
.
In 1928 Volland also advertised an "Oversized" 30" to 36" Beloved Belindy doll, but none are documented.
To Learn more about the Volland Beloved Belindy and to see more pictures of my own "re-creations", click on the link below!
Volland Beloved Belindy
Molly-'Es Doll Outfitters thought of adding Beloved Belindy to their line of dolls in 1935,
however only a prototype is documented.
I have personally seen one black and white photo and have seen no documentation
on the size or fabric colors used for this prototype.
Molly-'Es "prototype" Belindy
.
She has the multi-striped legs, as do all of the Molly-'Es Raggedies .
Assuming that she has the blue fabric feet & daisy-print fabric like those of the Molly-'Es Raggedies .........
In creating my "replica", I chose a yellow/blue daisy print skirt fabric with matching blue bandana ,blouse &feet.
To Learn more about the Molly-'Es Beloved Belindy and to see more pictures of my own "re-creations", click on the link below!
Molly-'Es Beloved Belindy
Georgene Novelties began manufacturing the Belindy doll November 1, 1938 and continued
through the late 1950's
.
Georgenes's first "Standard" Beloved Belindy was 18"- 19".
She was made of medium to dark brown fabric.
Her silk-screened facial features included
a white mouth and eyebrows and red nose
(all outlined in
black).
White four-hole button eyes, with black thread stitched in an "X" pattern. She was dressed in brightly colored floral-print skirt(usually with yellow background); red
blouse with four metal buttons painted yellow, the collar and sleeves were an ecru eyelet fabric and her apron was trimmed with matching eyelet;
a solid red bandana and side-facing feet.
An Original Georgene Belindy
(This red fabric was replaced with red w/white polka dots during WWII due to fabric shortages)
White apron and pantaloons, with white eyelet collar and trim on sleeves and apron.
WW11 ERA "polka-dot foot" Georgene Belindys are very rare.
Shirt-button eyes were used until 1946, shoe-button eyes were used thereafter.
Her identifying stamp was located either on the back of her head
under the bandana, or on her bottom. (ca.1939-late 1940)
To Learn more about the Georgene's "Standard" or Traditional Beloved Belindy and to see more pictures of my own "re-creations", click on the link below!
"Standard" Georgene Beloved Belindy
In mid to late 1940's a "Little" Beloved Belindy is documented as being 15";
made with pale-brown body fabric: outlined nose; muted clothing colors;
shirt-button eyes; four buttons on blouse;
no company markings or body tags.
In the late 1940's to 50's the "Forward
Feet" Belindy was introduced.
She was 15" with front-facing boxy feet, with a medium brown cloth body;
UN-out-lined nose: red blouse, shoes, and bandana; shirt-button eyes;
She had two snaps on the front of her blouse; she had no company markings,
but because of her well-documented and unusual boxy feet, she is readily recognized as Georgene's Belindy.
An Original Georgene "Forward Foot" Belindy
 An Original Georgene "Forward Foot" & My Own Re-Creation
To Learn more about the Georgene's "Little" and "Forward Feet" Beloved Belindys and to see more pictures of my own "re-creations", click on the link below!
"Little" & "Forward Feet" Georgene Beloved Belindys
Knickerbocker revived Beloved Belindy in 1965 and her familiar face returned to store shelves.
Her comeback was short-lived, however, due to the Civil Rights Movement of the day.
The once nostalgic Mammy imagery was simply not tolerated.
The dolls were pulled from the store shelves by and thousands were burned,
making them somewhat hard to find now, and increasing their value to collectors.
Four subtle variations in the design of Knickerbocker Beloved Belindys have been documented.
The first having a smaller head than later dolls: facial features were in "chalky inks,
causing the black smile line to bleed into the white.
Attached to her dress was a generic stuffed-toy label, later dolls had a "Beloved Belindy" label.
The first 3 designs had a seam at the throat.
Some had black tin eyes like the late Georgene Raggedies and others had black plastic eyes...
all gazed straight ahead.
Their dress had a single row of red stitching on the collar and green bias tape at the neck,
with snaps at the back.
Her red shoes and bandana were a shiny polished cotton.
All Knickerbocker Belindys were 15" tall, with fairly uniform printed facial features.
All were dressed in the very sought-after red-white-&-yellow-white polka dot dress, and a rounded half-apron trimmed in green bias tape.
All had white pantaloons, the red-&-white striped "stockings" and red shoes.
The back of their heads were red fabric, becoming part of their very "unique" bandana design.
An Original Knickerbocker Belindy
The 4th and most commonly found today, has black plastic eyes glancing to the right.
She has no seam at the throat; and her shoes and bandana are no longer "polished" cotton.
The collar has 2 rows of red stitching, with NO green trim.
The dress closes in back with 2 plastic buttons, rather than snaps.
I searched for two years to find the exact polka dot fabrics for my
Knickerbocker "inspired" Beloved Belindy
I think you will agree that she looks very much like the "original".
Many of my customers own an original, and have added mine to their collections as well.
Many have commented on how close it is to their original....but yet she is pristeen new!
An "Original" with "My" Knickerbocker Belindy
Compliments of my friend ~ "Raglisa"
I have also created a "PAL" named "Benji", who is just ADORABLE!
Be sure to check him out as well.
He brings a GREAT smile to Belindy's face !!!!
To Learn more about the Knickerbocker's 1965 Beloved Belindy and to see more pictures of my own "re-creations", click on the link below!
Knickerbocker Beloved Belindy
To Learn more about the MY OWN Knickerbocker "inspired" Benji doll...and to see more pictures of my "creations", click on the link below!
" BENJI "
Here are a few of MY OWN re-creations of the various styles of
"Beloved Belindys"
...To view more pictures.....
Just click on the link below each picture!
To Learn more about ALL of the Raggedy Characters..............Click on their Link in the left-hand column.
Click on each picture to ENLARGE !!
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