Rag dolls
For many the term rag doll  conjures up an image of 
security, comfort, love and hugs.

In the past, rag dolls have been greatly under-valued and largely ignored by the so-called serious collectors in favour of porcelain, china, bisque and wooden dolls. 
Even teddy bears seem to have a greater kudos. Sadly this still seems to be largely the case in the UK today, whilst attitudes in other countries have thankfully changed.

Due to the perishable nature of cloth, there are few rag dolls that have survived the ravages of time over the centuries and throughout the cultures.
There is some debate about the term rag doll, as many seem to believe that the name itself diminishes the quality and workmanship involved in using this medium for doll making.

Some prefer instead to use terms such as cloth doll. Indeed I did read an entertaining definition somewhere of the difference between rag and cloth dolls, which stated that rag dolls were made from rags and cloth dolls were made from calico, muslins and cotton fabrics. This perhaps indicates the lack of respect many people have for these types of doll, regarding them simply as unsophisticated toys.

Linda Edward in her book 'Cloth Dolls from Ancient to Modern' states that the term rag doll is an ancient and honourable title and I agree that it should be used and regarded as such. After all, most seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century doll manufacturers referred to their cloth products as rag babies.

When asked to describe a rag doll, most people are likely to convey an image that is quite simple and traditional. Traditional Rag dolls often had their hair in braids or tied in bunches and were dressed in long frocks with pantaloons and petticoats. However, other dolls that do not follow this conventional description quite happily fall into the ‘rag doll’ category. 

Perhaps a better definition would be that they are ‘dolls made for children entirely from cloth with textile embellishments’.

Certainly when you think of examples of rag dolls in children’s literature and the media such as Jemima from Play School, Madeleine from Bagpuss, Raggedy Ann created by Johnny Gruelle, Rosie and Jim and so on; each one is as individual and diverse as the other. Edith Flack Ackley was well known for her rag doll designs in 1920s and 1930s and still has a popular following today. 

Amish dolls also fit into the rag doll category. These dolls have no facial features or hair in keeping with the Old Testament Commandment which warns against making graven images. They have a full set of clothes including a white under-bonnet for the girl doll.

Even the rag doll style of cloth doll demonstrates the wealth of variety, imagination, workmanship and love that goes into each and every doll made. Many Interior Designers use rag dolls as accents to add a touch of whimsy to a home. 

Rag dolls have a unique quality and charm and fulfill a child's deep-rooted need to be comforted. Safety, washability and softness are of paramount importance in their production, whilst the end result provides a child with emotional security as well as an awareness of the world around them through play and socialisation. Today’s EEC regulations require us in the UK to be even more safety conscious when making toys for children. Nevertheless, rag dolls would seem to be the perfect embodiment of care, safety, love and security and these childhood treasures from bygone days have evolved over time to become a true art form.

http://www.clothdollsupply.com/past4.html

http://www.heirlooms4tomorrow.com/ackley.htm

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/edithflackackleydolls

< Links to Edith Flack Ackley sites