Leapin' Lizards!

Little Orphan Annie

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Harold Lincoln Gray (January 20, 1894 - May 9, 1968)
was an American newspaper artist and cartoonist.
He first had the idea for a cartoon strip in 1924 for
Little Orphant Otto. The title was quickly
altered by the Chicago Tribune editor to
Little Orphan Annie which first appeared
in the Tribune on August 6, 1924.
In the 1930's it also had become a popular
children's radio program sponsored by Ovaltine.

You can listen to the opening jingle
and some of the Episodes here.

Shirley Bell, who was 10 years old when she won
the role, played Radio Orphan Annie on the
show from 1931 - 1940.

Jack Pressman & Co. was one of the
pioneers in the toy industry in licensing
comic strip and film properties, and
in the 1930's sold licensed toys based
on Little Orphan Annie, Dick Tracy,
and also Walt Disney's Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs.

Here is the Little Orphan Annie
Knitting Outfit made by J. Pressman
& Co. N.Y. - U.S.A. (No. 6830)

Above - showing the inside.

This is the leaflet found inside
this set - instructions for
Tricky Knit.

Obviously, it is a J. Pressman & Co issued
leaflet.

Above - showing the other side of the leaflet.

Sandy says "Aarf!!"
Little Orphan Annie's four-legged
friend.

The spool knitter itself is a very
simple wood spool shape with
the paper picture of the cartoon
Annie pasted on.

oooOOooo

Little Orphan Annie
became simply "Annie" due to the release
of the movie of that name on December 9,
1982, with Aileen Quinn as Annie.
The cast members include - Albert
Finney, Carol Burnett, Anne Reinking, Tim
Curry, Bernadette Peters, and others.

Aileen Quinn has grown-up.

There are many songs for you to
enjoy to be found on U tube.
Such as Tomorrow, It's a Hard
Knock Life, and Aileen Quinn's
favourite song - Maybe.

Further reading -
About Annie the musical
Pressman History
The Nostalgia League
Radio Hall of Fame


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HELP PLEASE?

CAN SOMEONE HELP ME?

I have two spool knitters here that I would love more information on. For some time I had the "Little Orphan Annie" spool knitter, and then I found the second one - for want of a better name "Little Bo Peep".

There must have been a set of these characters made. I am asking for help from my readers and fellow collectors. Does anyone have one or more of these?
Can anyone give me the names of other characters that are available?
Does anyone have the original box (if they came in a box)?
Can anyone give the name of the maker, date of manufacture, country of origin?
(I am guessing that perhaps they come from the US.)

"Little Orphan Annie"

"Little Bo Peep" front with the original hook (sorry about the glare)

"Little Bo Peep" back