Kids (and Collectors!) Love Fabric Dolls
Kids have always known the delight of snuggling up with a soft toy, and doll collectors have figured this out as well. Until recently, the porcelain doll segment of the doll market commanded the highest prices as well as generating the most interest, but soft dolls, both homemade or by toy manufacturers, have become a popular part of the doll collecting market, in fact, fabric dolls may be a hotter collectible than the fashion and plastic dolls that have dominated the doll collecting scene for years.
Hand-made dolls, especially by well-known makers such as Izannah Walker (1813- ?) and Ella Smith are particularly sought after, and in good condition can sell for upwards of $15,000. These charming hand made dolls appeal to doll, primitives, and folk art collectors, and as such, command high crossover dollars.
Doll Condition
Although collecting purists demand examples in excellent condition, dolls that have clearly been played with and loved, especially antiques are acceptable for collections. While other toy collectors look for mint in box examples, doll aficionados understand that little girls loved their playthings, and that love, lavished on fabric, often leads to visible wear. However, the converse of this appears to be true as well-top dollar is paid for more recent vintage dolls with original clothes in original packaging, for example, a Lenci doll from between 1920-1940 might bring $300 but so might an Annalee clown circa 1970’s.
Introducing Raggedy Ann
Raggedy Ann dolls were originally made by The Volland Company to help sell the adventure stories of Ann & Andy written by John Gruelle to amuse his daughter, Marcella. Published in 1918, journalist John B. Gruelle’s first story, Raggedy Ann Learns a Lesson introduces Ann and her mistress Marcella. Marcella finds her grandmother’s old doll while playing in the attic, and after repairing one of Ann’s button eyes, Grandmother gives Marcella the doll. One day, Raggedy Ann leads her dolly pals on a raid of the pantry, where covered in jam and cream, they are discovered by their young owner. Ann’s Brother, Andy, was introduced in 1920 in Raggedy Andy Stories.
Raggedy Ann & Andy Dolls
Popular with collectors, these dolls have been produced by a variety of manufacturers in the years from 1920 to the present. Raggedy Ann & Andy manufacturers include Volland (1920-34) Exposition Doll & Toy Co (1935), 
Mollye’s Doll Outfitters (1935-38), Georgene Novelties (1938-62), Knickerbocker (1963-82) Applause (1981-present), and Hasbro (who bought Knickerbocker in 1983). These dolls were made by these companies in an almost unlimited variety of sizes and variations. One variation, stockings with vertical stripes, is eagerly sought.
Dolls with manufacturers marks are usually the most valuable, keeping in mind that Anne and Andy are easily copied by anyone handy with a sewing machine. My daughter was given one in the 1980’s by her great grandmother that was made by a woman who attended the same church, and there are thousands out there just like hers (which, by the way, she always found frightening, and tried to sell at our last garage sale!). Even the home made varieties, when well done, appeal to collectors.
Hand-made dolls, especially by well-known makers such as Izannah Walker (1813- ?) and Ella Smith are particularly sought after, and in good condition can sell for upwards of $15,000. These charming hand made dolls appeal to doll, primitives, and folk art collectors, and as such, command high crossover dollars.
Doll Condition
Although collecting purists demand examples in excellent condition, dolls that have clearly been played with and loved, especially antiques are acceptable for collections. While other toy collectors look for mint in box examples, doll aficionados understand that little girls loved their playthings, and that love, lavished on fabric, often leads to visible wear. However, the converse of this appears to be true as well-top dollar is paid for more recent vintage dolls with original clothes in original packaging, for example, a Lenci doll from between 1920-1940 might bring $300 but so might an Annalee clown circa 1970’s.
Introducing Raggedy Ann
Raggedy Ann dolls were originally made by The Volland Company to help sell the adventure stories of Ann & Andy written by John Gruelle to amuse his daughter, Marcella. Published in 1918, journalist John B. Gruelle’s first story, Raggedy Ann Learns a Lesson introduces Ann and her mistress Marcella. Marcella finds her grandmother’s old doll while playing in the attic, and after repairing one of Ann’s button eyes, Grandmother gives Marcella the doll. One day, Raggedy Ann leads her dolly pals on a raid of the pantry, where covered in jam and cream, they are discovered by their young owner. Ann’s Brother, Andy, was introduced in 1920 in Raggedy Andy Stories.
Raggedy Ann & Andy Dolls
Popular with collectors, these dolls have been produced by a variety of manufacturers in the years from 1920 to the present. Raggedy Ann & Andy manufacturers include Volland (1920-34) Exposition Doll & Toy Co (1935), Mollye’s Doll Outfitters (1935-38), Georgene Novelties (1938-62), Knickerbocker (1963-82) Applause (1981-present), and Hasbro (who bought Knickerbocker in 1983). These dolls were made by these companies in an almost unlimited variety of sizes and variations. One variation, stockings with vertical stripes, is eagerly sought.
Dolls with manufacturers marks are usually the most valuable, keeping in mind that Anne and Andy are easily copied by anyone handy with a sewing machine. My daughter was given one in the 1980’s by her great grandmother that was made by a woman who attended the same church, and there are thousands out there just like hers (which, by the way, she always found frightening, and tried to sell at our last garage sale!). Even the home made varieties, when well done, appeal to collectors.
