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1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle
1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle

1927 Rare First Edition in original Box - Wooden Willie by Johnny Gruelle

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$165 USD - $165 USD
$165 USD
$165 USD - $165 USD
$165 USD

Author: Johnny Gruelle.
Title: Wooden Willie.
Publisher: New York, Joliet, and Boston, The P. F. Volland Company, 1927. First edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 9.5 × 6.5 inches.
Pages: 95 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good, near fine original publisher’s pictorial boards, with full-color illustration to the front cover and blue cloth spine (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Housed in its original publisher’s box, illustrated en suite with the book. The box is in good condition only, showing wear and age-related flaws, and has been restored by a previous owner. While not fine, its survival adds significant bibliographic and collector interest, as original boxes for Volland children’s titles are often missing.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean - as shown).
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated in color throughout by the author, with full-page plates and integrated text illustrations in Johnny Gruelle’s distinctive early style. Complete.

Estimate: (USD 200-250)

The book: Wooden Willie is a charming children’s book by Johnny Gruelle, best known as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. First published in 1927 by The P. F. Volland Company, the book tells the imaginative story of a wooden doll who comes to life, brought vividly to the page through Gruelle’s warm color palette and expressive characters. As with many Volland children’s books of the period, the production quality is high, with generous margins and rich color printing. First editions in near fine condition are notably difficult to find, particularly with the original box.

The author: Johnny Gruelle (1880–1938) was one of the most influential figures in early 20th-century American children’s literature. His creation of Raggedy Ann became a cultural phenomenon, and his illustrated books helped define a new, distinctly American style of children’s storytelling. Wooden Willie stands among his most visually engaging works, reflecting his ability to blend fantasy, humor, and gentle moral storytelling.