GRUELLE, Johnny.
Raggedy Andy Stories.
New York: P.F. Volland Company, 1920.
$975.00
In Stock
Item Number: RRB-152407
+$500
The Second Book in the Raggedy Ann Series, Introducing Raggedy Andy; Signed by Johnny Gruelle with an Original Pencil Drawing of Raggedy Ann
Later printing of Raggedy Andy Stories, the beloved companion to Raggedy Ann Stories and the second book in Gruelle’s Raggedy series, signed with a rare original drawing by the author. Quarto, original publisher’s pictorial paper-covered boards, illustrated by the author. First published 1920. Presentation copy, signed and dated by the author on the half-title page, “Johnny Gruelle May 21 1923.” Gruelle has added an original pencil sketch of Raggedy Ann beneath the printed title vignette. In very good condition, inscription opposite the title page. Rare and desirable with an original.
Johnny Gruelle was an illustrator, cartoonist, and storyteller who created Raggedy Ann, one of the most enduring characters in all of American children’s literature. According to the cherished family account, Gruelle found an old handmade rag doll in his mother’s attic, gave it a face and the name Raggedy Ann, and presented it to his young daughter Marcella, whose early death lent the gentle character a lasting poignancy. Raggedy Andy Stories, first published by the P.F. Volland Company in 1920, followed the enormous success of Raggedy Ann Stories of 1918 and introduced Raggedy Ann’s little rag brother, Raggedy Andy, completing the pair that would become an American icon. Gruelle’s tender, whimsically illustrated tales, peopled with invented creatures and animated by a spirit of kindness, have remained beloved for more than a century. Original drawings by Gruelle, particularly those uniting his characters with his own hand, are highly sought after.
Raggedy Andy Stories.
$975.00
In Stock