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Updated August 2011
Not So RaggedyAcresTM
by Gayle Garbarino
~ Heirloom
Quality Collectible Treasures ~
~ Golliwoggs ~
or
~ ~ Gollys ~ ~
~
Designed and Created by Doll Artist -Gayle Garbarino ~
The earliest Golliwog is the hero in books of verse written by Bertha Upton
in the 1890's, and illustrated by her daughter Florence.
The mother and daughter worked together on twelve illustrated books,
all featuring the gallant little character and his adventures
traveling to such exotic destinations as Africa and the North Pole,
accompanied by his friends, the Dutch Dolls.
Though the original Golliwog character was a kindly fellow
always lending a hand to those in trouble,
later authors portrayed him very differently.
Over the years he became a rascal, was often up to no good,
and even portrayed as a mean spirited character.
Consequently his reputation slid and because of his poor reputation and dark color,
he began to be considered "politically incorrect."
The past few years,
possibly because of the centennial of the creation of the Golliwog,
he has again become popular,
this time not with children so much as adult collectors and Golliwog artists.
The original books were published by Longemans, Green and Company in England.
Because the books were published and distributed in England,
the Golliwog's fame and popularity spread there rather than in New York,
the home of Florence Upton. English children and children of the commonwealth countries
are those most likely to have heard the stories and played with the dolls.
The earliest golliwog dolls were hand made rag dolls
made by mothers and grandmothers in the image of the storybook character.
As early as 1910 golliwogs were mass produced,
but they were not produced in large quantities until the 1950's.
Golliwogs are now commercially produced in England, New Zealand, Germany,
and the U.S. Golliwog artists and creators can be found around the world.
Items decorated with pictures of golliwogs have been made over the years
and these are now avidly collected. Post cards, greeting cards, dishes, perfume bottles,
and playing cards are a few of the items that can be found picturing golliwogs.
So the Golliwog has regained his reputation as a adventurous, cheerful,
and kindly mischievous fellow who will bring a smile to all who make his acquaintance.
My love of this wonderful Storybook character, began with a request from one of my dear Raggedy customers.
She had purchased all of my Raggedy Character dolls, and asked if I also made Gollys.
I had created a "Benji" character as a "counterpart" for my Knickerbocker Beloved Belindy,
and also a Benjamin for my Georgene Belindy, for several of my customers.
Thier little suits, with fitted vests and jackets were very similar to the original Golly's attire.
I agreed to create a "Golly" for this customer and my research began!!
The more searching and researching I did,
I began to fall in love with these little "gems" from the past.
Another Raggedy friend on one of the Raggedy Boards was from Australia, and was very helpful to me as well.
I love the colorful outfits and their sweet little faces remind me of Johnny Gruelle's own Beloved Belindy character, which is a favorite of mine.
I hope that you will enjoy my versions of the Gollys
Each of my Gollys, take on a personality of their own as I add the finishing touches......
therefore, each will add that one-of-a-kind distinction to your collection!Here are a few pictures of little ones and their "own" precious "Golly"
(Please Click to Enlarge)and
ENJOY ! ! !
This space reserved for future pictures of MY OWN re-creations of "Golly / Golliwogg"
To Learn more about ALL of my Character Dolls..............Click on their Link in the left-hand column.
Click on each picture to ENLARGE !!
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