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Updated September 2011
Not So RaggedyAcresTM
by Gayle Garbarino
~ Heirloom
Quality Collectible Treasures ~
~ P.F. Volland Company ~
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Designed and Created by Doll Artist -Gayle Garbarino ~
The P.F.VOLLAND COMPANY well respected for it's high quality greeting cards and wonderfully decorated Children's Books, was responsible for introducing most of Johnny Gruelle's wonderful characters.
First through the publication of his storybooks
and later through the introduction of Character Dolls, releasing them for sale at the same time as the book bearing their name was released for sale.
For example: Raggedy Ann Stories, Raggedy Andy Stories,
Eddie Elephant, Beloved Belindy, Sunny Bunny, Johnny Mouse and many more!!
I have created a page dedicated to his books....you will also find a link for online versions of a few of those books
Johnny Gruelle's Books
On August 30, 1915, Gruelle signed a contract with Volland
for his book Raggedy Ann Stories,
and the character Quacky Doodles/Danny Daddles.
Both were first introduced in illustrations in the
Quacky Doodles & Danny Daddles Book
written by Rose Hubble Strong and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle in 1916.
Gruelle also received his U.S. Patent for the character dolls Quacky Doodles & Danny Daddles on September 7, 1915,
the same day as his now infamous U.S. Patent for Raggedy Ann.
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1915 P.F. Volland " Trademark " Raggedy Anns, may have been created by members of the Gruelle family to satisfy the requirement for obtaining a trademark. ( it is not clear if any of these dolls remain however, those with the blue floral fabric matching Gruelle's illustrations are most often declared "Gruelle-made" and the painted rather than cloth shoes seem to be most likely made by family members, who were not professional seamstresses.)
They had hand-painted faces with black shoe-button eyes.
The red and white stripes on the legs and feet showed through the painted maryjane shoes. Ann's feet pointed sideways.
 
1918-1919 P.F. Volland 15-18" "Cottage" Raggedy Ann dolls were handmade by the cottage industries that existed at the time.
They had hand-painted faces with black shoe-button eyes,
red and white stripes on the legs and either black or brown cloth feet or shoes, which pointed sideways.
1920-26 P.F. Volland 15-16" Raggedy Ann - " Patent " stamped dolls - machine stamped faces. Pear shaped heads and necks were long.
1920-27 P.F. Volland 16" Raggedy Andy - Large hands and heads.
"Cresent Smile" Made to look more masculine than Ann.
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During the 1920's Beers- Keeler-Bowman produced 36" Ann & Andy dolls for P.F. Volland.
Often referred to as " Oversized "
Both dolls had knee and elbow "joints" and they both had the large thumbs that are only seen on smaller Andys.
P.F. Volland
36" "Oversized" Ann & Andy
(1920-21) Only Andys were produced
(1924-25 and 1928) Both dolls were produced with line smiles
and black out-lined noses
(1920-21)Ann & Andy had hand painted faces, line smiles
and no outline on their noses
(1924-25 and 1928) Andys had Cresent smiles and no outline on his nose.
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In 1928 Volland advertised an "Oversized" 30" to 36" Beloved Belindy doll, but none are documented.
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1920's P.F. Volland 14-16" " Single Eyelash " Ann and Andys
  
In the late 1920's to early 1930's P.F. Volland offered 15-16" dolls.
" Transitional " Pair
Ann heavily blushed cheeks - line smile, unoutlined nose....
Andy heavy eyebrows and unoutlined nose and nose becomes a bit wider. Faces are rounder with fewer lower lashes. Similar characteristics
but not yet matched sets.
1931-33 P.F. Volland 14-15" " Finale "
Last Ann & Andy dolls produced by Volland
They had paper hang tags
Ann has outline nose Andy has no outline
Andy's shirt changes to gingham during this period
First matched sets.
  
The P.F. Volland Company's also produced the first Beloved Belindy dolls for Johnny Gruelle. She was produced from 1926-1933.
To learn more about her just click on the photo below:
An "Original" Volland Beloved Belindy
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Here are a few of MY OWN re-creations of "Volland dolls"
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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