Two thrift store dolls and a new dress.

This first doll I found at a thrift store and only brought 

her home after seeing her twice over a 3 week period.

What changed my mind about taking her home?  

Something I saw awhile back on Pinterest tickled my memory.

At first I thought, "this is just an old Raggedy Ann", right?

The second time I saw her, I suddenly realized she may be a 

'Georgene' Raggedy Ann! What's the difference?  

Georgene Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls were

 the style dolls copyrighted by Johnny Gruelle and his descendants.

Johhny Gruelle who wrote the Raggedy Ann books 

AND they are highly prized by collectors.

This is a tag from a Georgene Raggedy doll.  The original copyright was established in 1918 and 1920.  It was later renewed by one of Johnny Gruelle's family member, 

Myrtle T. Gruelle in 1945 and 1947.

Sadly this Ann does not have her tag, but I KNOW she is Georgene.

She has the same dress, the same collar, the simpler apron and her dress fabric is definitely old.

My guess is that she is from the late 1940s.

 

Here she is next to 3 other Georgene dolls.
It looks like my Ann has been washed.  

She's definitely cleaner than these poor girls!

They all have the double row of red stitching on the collar

and the same orange yarn hair.

I definitely found a keeper!

This next doll I also found in a thrift store and purchased after weeks of seeing her on the shelf.

What changed?  I can not tell you, but I know I suddenly decided she would come home with me.

She is a China Head Doll with a number 5 on her back.

 I don't know a lot about these dolls, but I suspect she is a reproduction.

She has a very sweet serene face with rosy cheeks.

But this fabric is awful!

I do already have two other china head dolls.

This little girl is definitely a reproduction, BUT her 

dress and hat just caught me!

 Again with the sweet serene expression and rosy cheeks.

This next doll belonged to my Grandmother. Such a sweet face!

She is only 7 inches tall and the only doll to survive from Grandma's childhood

Grandma had a large China doll, but she was broken by her young sister.

Maybe that is what drew me to this China Head Doll?

Grandma would have taken her home.

SO, what about that dress?

Not really flattering, fine for a day folding laundry and beating rugs, 

but this lady needed something pretty!

I chose this fabric.

I wanted something pink to bring out her rosy cheeks.

AND HERE SHE IS!

I think she looks lovely!

I made her a matching poke bonnet.

She has a vintage pearl button at her throat.

The lace around her collar is vintage and the 

scale is perfect.  I decided she needed a gold pin.

Her underskirt has a deep layer of lace.

She needed a little reticule of course.

She seems to like her new dress, I know I do!

She will be called Verabelle.

Raggedy Ann update:

I found this Georgene Raggedy Ann photo on Pinterest.

She has the identical dress as my ANN!

YAY!