Their creator, cartoonist-illustrator-author Johnny Gruelle, was born in Arcola, Illinois in 1880, the son of artist Richard Gruelle.

As an adult, Johnny became a political cartoonist for several midwestern newspapers.

In 1910, he became a freelance illustrator, moving to the East Coast, where he developed a cartoon strip with The New York Herald and illustrated several books.

In 1915, nostalgic diversions such as homemade and hand-crafted objects were becoming popular, and this fit well with what Gruelle was creating: Raggedy Ann.

Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy (her little brother) are the best known rag dolls in the world as well as characters in fantasy tales.

The creation of the first Raggedy Ann doll was inspired by his daughter Marcella. She had found a tattered rag doll in her Grandmother's attic.

Her father used his cartooning pen and applied a new, whimsical face to the doll. The name for the doll came from two poems by James Whitcomb Riley - "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie."

Marcella Gruelle died at age 13, from an infected small pox vaccination. In the same month as Marcella's death, Johnny Gruelle had been granted final approval by the U.S. Patent office for his rag doll.

As Johnny Gruelle worked on finishing the stories, he often glanced up at one of the few keepsakes of his daughter -- Marcella's own tattered doll.

On Christmas 1918, the world was introduced to Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Ann Stories. In this, as well as in Gruelle's subsequent Raggedy books, Marcella was a recurring character.

In 1929, Johnny Gruelle gave Marcella her own volume of tales, entitled Marcella: A Raggedy Ann Story.

Johnny Gruelle’s Raggedy Ann and Andy stories have warmed the hearts of children for decades. While Johnny, a talented cartoonist, illustrator, and storyteller, began writing stories about Raggedy Ann as a way to entertain his ailing daughter Marcella, those stories published in memoriam went on to become an American classic.

Cherished through many generations, the adventures of Raggedy Ann, a mop-headed rag doll found in a grandmother’s attic, have been shared for generations between parents and children and grandparents and grandchildren and continue to delight children of all ages.

Created in 1920 by Johnny Gruelle to appeal to boys and girls and to bring a central male character into the Raggedy storyline, Raggedy Andy became a popular companion for Raggedy Ann.

The dolls were produced in separate locations, so Andy's hands and feet were bigger than Ann's, a clever technique to make him appeal to boys. In addition, Andy's first patent focuses on his floppier limbs and his mischievous ways.

Raggedy Andy is seeking induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame for 2007. Five years ago a similar effort petitioning to get Raggedy Ann into the National Toy Hall of Fame generated 30,000 signatures

Why does Raggedy Andy have a broken heart?

Because he's not with Raggedy Ann!

Five years ago Raggedy Ann received 30,000 signatures in a petition drive from fans worldwide and was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame separating the rag doll duo, breaking Raggedy Andy's "I love you" heart and leaving him to spend Valentines Day all alone!

With the help of the Raggedy Ann & Andy museum, Raggedy Ann & Andy have hatched a plan that will help reunite them.

On February 10th, FAO Schwarz threw a Valentine's Day bash in New York City, kicking off a campaign that will lead hopefully to the induction of Raggedy Andy into the National Toy Hall of Fame, located in Rochester, N.Y.

The red-headed duo was the first on hand to sign a petition in support of the effort, followed by Joni Gruelle, granddaughter and namesake of Raggedy Ann & Andy creator, Johnny Gruelle, and scores of inveterate Raggedy Ann & Andy fans. Over 800 signatures were collected at the event.

How To Sign the Petition:

If you'd like to support Raggedy Ann & Andy's Toy Hall of Fame petition, log onto www.raggedyann-museum.org to sign the petition or you can mail letters urging the National Toy Hall of Fame to include Raggedy Andy to the following address:

Petition for Raggedy Andy
c/o The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum
P.O. Box 183
Arcola, IL 61910.