GRUELLE, Johnny.
Raggedy Ann Stories.
New York: P.F. Volland Company, 1918.
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The First Book in the Raggedy Ann Series; Signed by Johnny Gruelle with an Original Pencil Drawing of Raggedy Andy and the Sneezwiggle
Early printing of the first book in Gruelle’s beloved Raggedy Ann series, signed with a rare original drawing by the author. Quarto, original publisher’s pictorial paper-covered boards, illustrated by the author. First published 1918. 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 Andy and one of his whimsical creatures which he has captioned, “Raggedy Andy telling the Sneezwiggle how nice ice cream cones are." Inscription opposite the title page. In good condition, the original drawing fresh and bright.
Johnny Gruelle was an American 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 Ann Stories, first published by the P.F. Volland Company in 1918 and sold alongside the Raggedy Ann doll itself, introduced the character to the world and launched an American icon, followed in 1920 by Raggedy Andy Stories. 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 captions, are highly sought after.
Raggedy Ann Stories.
$1,850.00
Out of Stock
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