By Stephanie Finnegan
In 2026, R. John Wright Dolls Will Honor Their 50th Anniversary and Co-Founder’s Legacy
On March 5, 2025, the doll world bid farewell to one of its most beloved and prolific creators, R. John Wright. The 78-year-old artist was known for his remarkable outpouring of characters and critters that were simultaneously lifelike and literary, classic yet contemporary. During his time at the helm of R. John Wright Dolls, he and his wife, Susan, were the talented minds and hands behind a brand that earned respect and awards. Each R. John Wright creation demonstrated meticulous crafting and enduring perfection. The couple’s achievements were honestly building a legacy and a legend in real time.
Now, poised to celebrate their 50th anniversary as a doll company, Susan is looking toward the future while honoring the past. As the co-founder of R. John Wright Dolls, Susan never sought the limelight while she was creating the dolls, animals, and other fantastical figures that defined their business’s identity: “John and I were always equal creative partners. Our talents complemented each other well. He was the visionary; I was the interpreter and engineer. John appreciated my talents, which enabled his visions to fly, and he was the wind beneath my wings. Together, we were able to reach heights neither of us ever imagined. We’ve often said he couldn’t do it without me, and I wouldn’t do it without him.”
Indeed, the Wrights, who met in the summer of 1972, evolved into a force to be reckoned with. Both John and Susan were independent artists, and they were imbued with unique sensibilities and individual skill sets. When they collaborated, and established R. John Wright Dolls in 1976, their combined abilities soared to a higher level. Susan said, “Krystyna Poray Goddu, the author of R. John Wright: The Art of Toys, expresses our dynamic best. She wrote, ‘The couple, under the name of R. John Wright Dolls, would become the most acclaimed cloth toy makers of the contemporary industry. The seeds of their accomplishments were sown individually: the fruit was born of their pairing.’”
With John’s passing and the company’s anniversary milestone before her, Susan is determined to carry on with the projects that she and her husband had proposed to pursue. “Fortunately, a number of them were advanced enough under his direction that I feel comfortable going forward with them as R. John Wright creations. Of course, to see these projects that he envisioned become realities, I will be the leading creative force in the company.”
For the upcoming 50th anniversary collection, there is not a definitive theme or a single overarching principle. Susan explained, “It will be an eclectic offering of the items that are already in the queue — many of them dating back many years, such as the Rudolph Valentino of the Hollywood Legends series. Also, we will be offering Captain Hook, the final character in the Peter Pan series. Winnie the Pooh was one of the most instrumental licensed properties leading to our success. Now that it is in the public domain, we will also be offering Winnie the Pooh and Some Bees and A Winnie the Pooh Christmas. Also, there is a very slight possibility of an Alice Through the Looking Glass collection of characters scaled to our 10-inch 2015 Commemorative Alice with Flamingo edition.”
The official date of the company’s founding was November 1976, but not all of the planned anniversary offerings will appear before the end of 2026. “The complexity of some of them will necessitate a production span of approximately three years,” Susan said. “Since COVID-19, our staff has decreased. A number of our talented employees of many, many years have or are seeking to retire. This means much of the painting will be done by me. Luckily, we have a crew that can handle sewing and assembly.”
Since the upcoming banner year is a rare achievement — a business and creative feat that should be celebrated and commemorated — Susan is weighing her options: “We are considering a modified RJW ‘convention.’ Over the years, we have hosted many collectors at our conventions. In true R. John Wright fashion, John went to extraordinary lengths to ensure everyone had a memorable time. These were expensive, labor-intensive events. For the celebration of our 50th year, I envision something a bit more relaxed and casual. John always enjoyed telling and listening to well-delivered stories, so I’d like to emphasize friendships and warm memories. Stay tuned for something in late 2026, our founding anniversary month, November.”
It is staggering when one reviews the decades of stellar dolls and animals the Wrights coaxed to life. The creations that debuted from their workshop were always refined and elegant. They embodied a craftsmanship that harked back to old-world standards of beauty and precision. Susan said, “We have always been inspired by previous companies, such as Lenci, Käthe Kruse, Steiff, and the many excellent doll manufacturers of the Golden Age of toys. John’s ambition was to join the ranks of these illustrious makers of dolls and toys, and hopefully have his work remembered long after he exited the stage. I would like him to be remembered for his vision and artistry, for revolutionizing the art of felt doll making, and for accomplishing the impossible when told it couldn’t be done. He approached life with a spirit of adventure and a deep desire to do his best in all that he undertook. I want him to be remembered for the mischievous twinkle in his hazel eyes, his charming smile, and his engaging storytelling, always accompanied by well-timed wit. I’ve often thought of him as Peter Pan — an ephemeral being who left us much too soon, flying to Neverland, forever young.”
Naturally, Susan’s eulogy for her husband’s personality stems from a classic children’s-literature tome. The Wrights were heavily influenced by the written word and incomparable illustrations of bygone authors and artists. “So much of his inspiration was drawn from the magical world of children’s literature and film. We made sure to introduce our children to all the authors and illustrators that we loved: Winnie the Pooh, Beatrix Potter, Raggedy Ann, Disney classics. John introduced me to the illustrative art of Arthur Rackham of the early 1900s. We had always intended to bring some of his amazing images to life in doll form. The closest we came was a one-of-a-kind piece inspired by Rackham’s St. Nicholas, which I created as a surprise Christmas gift to John in 2017. We have four prized Arthur Rackham original illustrations in our private collection.”
Because the Wrights were both artists and collectors, they had an innate appreciation for what fellow collectors desired to acquire. They understood what would constitute an art piece worth purchasing, displaying, preserving, and revering. Susan said, “In the late 1980s, John began exploring licensing. Undaunted, arrogant, and self-assured, he became quite adept at negotiating with licensors of some of the most iconic and beloved characters. Among them, Disney, Beatrix Potter Estate, Warner Bros. for Wizard of Oz, and many more. In the 1980s and 1990s, collectibles were very popular and lucrative for manufacturers. Our brand was one of the most sought-after and respected in the field of collectible dolls and animals.”
Ultimately, collectors of R. John Wright Doll creations were an integral part of the process. The Wrights imagined and designed the artwork; the collectors curated and adored it. It was an imaginative and creative trek that spanned nearly 50 years for the married duo. “The journey of all R. John Wright items, from conception to finished product, was always an adventure, beginning with inspirational sources, sketches, and original sculpts,” Susan said. “The most exciting moment, though, was when we would complete the prototype. A spark from John’s creative mind would become a tangible reality!”
These sparks have resulted in more than 500 pieces, and Susan said, “From the very beginning of our company, now half a century, John determined to create a Preservation Archive. He felt it was historically important to retain an example of every item we ever produced. This archive was very private and few people knew it even existed. It is a complete history of our work. Some are the only examples known to still exist. Last year, John and I decided that now it is the time to share that collection with other collectors in a one-owner Preservation Archive Auction that will take place in early 2026.”
Susan is happy to be the steward of the R. John Wright legacy — to shine the spotlight on her husband’s name, his drive, his talent. But how would Susan, herself, like to be acknowledged when all of the sculpting and the marketing and the selling have ended? When her role in the company is profiled in the future, how does she hope to be remembered? She fittingly turns to a quote from James M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, for her answer: “Every man who is high up likes to think that he has done it all himself, and the wife smiles and lets it go at that.”
R. John Wright Dolls
