My mistake - the marking reads "Kestner", not "Rostner."

Here's a link to Century Doll Company dolls. It looks as if your grandmother's doll is
1925 Character Baby - Bye-Lo type, 10- 22" tall, bisque head on cloth body with composition hands. sleep eyes, closed mouth, usually marked: Century Doll Co/Kestner German. Some markings may have a K inside a diamond above the Century Doll Co.

Here is a link that might be useful: Century Doll

Oh my Jen, she's beautiful! Just beautiful. Do your cats get on your bed? If not I'd lay her against the pillows.

Wow, can't believe how vibrant the colors still are. She must not have played with it much. My Tiny Tears was well worn by the time I had to leave her behind.

She's a keepsake, that doesn't mean you have to display her. It's a memory for you of your grandmother. She could be happy sitting on a closet shelf where you'd see her when you opened the door.

Unless you're totally creeped out by having a baby doll in your bedroom, I think she'd fit in very well there since you have that sort of comfortable, slightly countrified style in there. "Grandma's attic" in a good way. Maybe in the sitting area? If it weren't for the cats I'd put her in that little chair I seem to remember being in your bedroom (although I'm probably having a brain cramp and remembering someone else's room) but even secured to the chair that wouldn't be a very safe place. I'd put up a little decorative shelf - maybe a corner shelf, one that looks around the same age as the doll, but simple - the kind with a back that you can screw into a stud. (I like something like this one.) Drill two to four very small holes in the shelf's back and use fishing line to secure the doll in place. Remember, of course, to keep her out of direct sunlight and away from temperature extremes (heat/ac vents, for example, which also deposit dust). Have her checked out at a "doll hospital" to make sure her head is really well secured.

While you're undoubtedly sad about this transition in your grandmother's life and what it means for the future, it's good that the things she is passing on are ones that make you happy. It's so sad when we are saddled with guilt over objects we feel we must keep because they belonged to Great-Aunt Mildred, even if we can't stand them.

Suero, thanks so much for the link! I also searched eBay and found a baby that looks about identical to this one (except mine's in better condition ;-))!

Justgota, the cats do indeed get on the bed. In fact, I'm pretty sure they own the bed at this point. (Plus, I'll be the first to admit it, it doesn't always get made up!)

Natal, I hear ya, but it makes me feel a bit sad to keep her in the closet. Aren't her colors pretty amazing? I still have my childhood dolls (Madame Alexander baby dolls), and they were definitely and obviously well played with!

Mari, I do indeed have a little rocking chair in our bedroom upstairs that was DH's when he was little. (I was just telling him the other day that I bet his butt could still fit in that little seat. How does that happen, that men get bigger elsewhere, but their butts still stay so darn tiny? Not fair!) But you're right - that wouldn't be the most secure place for the doll. I love the shelf you've linked to. I'll have to scout around upstairs and see if that would work in any of the corners, but if so that might be a great solution.

Very true that I'm fortunate to have these things from my Grannie that are so dear to me. She gave me the sweet blue and white porcelain chocolate set that she got in Denmark years ago, and I'm looking forward to clearing out a space in the china cabinet for that over the weekend.

How lucky you are to have some keepsakes of your grandmother's. She's a beautiful doll and I would keep her on a shelf or tuck her away somewhere to keep her safe.

What a sweet doll! Do you think she'd be safe in a little cradle placed on top of a dresser or console table where you could still see her? I've seen unfinished wood doll cradles in a variety of sizes online that you could paint to coordinate with your color scheme.

I used to pack away keepsakes to keep them safe, but realized how much I missed seeing them when the only time they saw the light of day was when I took inventory before moving. Many more of them are out and either on display or in use now. I know it's a risk, but I enjoy seeing them too much to pack them away again.

Hmmm I'm not sure where you could place her. The glass thing doesn't seem right to me either for some reason. . .

She's pretty and looks to be in pretty darn mint condition! That was nice she wanted you to have it.

"I used to pack away keepsakes to keep them safe, but realized how much I missed seeing them when the only time they saw the light of day was when I took inventory before moving. Many more of them are out and either on display or in use now. I know it's a risk, but I enjoy seeing them too much to pack them away again."

that's the way I've been moving toward. In my new place i plan to have my special things OUT. I'm thinking of putting glass in all of my upper cabinet doors for the top shelf - or 2 for display. Plus other display shelves and cabs.
If they're packed away, you can't enjoy them.

Oh my.....seeing this precious dolly brought a huge smile to my face. She's beautiful!

I have my Great Grandma's dolly but she's not anywhere as nice as yours. In fact, it's hard to see the facial features on my dolly.

Oh Jen, I know you'll cherish this forever!

I would put a small, wooden corner shelf, just one, in a tucked-in corner of your bedroom, high enough so that the kittys can't leap up there and not in direct sunlight. I would make sure the corner shelf was just big enough to hold Dolly while she is in a sitting position.

Then I'd buy Dolly the nicest Tribal outfit (Pow-Wow outfits are beautifully adorned/detailed!), beads, headband and all, and dress her up. I'd put her on the shelf and I'd be able to see her every night before I turned out the lights and closed my eyes.

When I say "corner shelf" I don't mean a tall bookcase....just a single shelf.
Here, wait...I'll show ya. :)

{{!gwi}}
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My apologies Johnmari !

I only read AuntJen's post and was busy looking lovingly at the pictures of the Dolly, then scrolled to the bottom to post about a corner shelf, not realizing you had already posted about a corner shelf....and I like yours much better!

What a beautiful little face and sweet, pensive expression. I love her. Not sure how to display her and still protect her, but she's great! Her rosy cheeks fit in beautifully with your vibrant decor!

No suggestions, but she's a beauty!

I like the corner shelf idea..and what a beautiful doll! Do you have a Curio Cabinet? Even if it does have SW pottery in there you could still put her with it and it would keep the dust off her.

I have an old doll that belonged to my grandmother also, and right now she's in my cedar chest, so I'm going to get her out and put her in my curio cabinet.

Thanks so much again for all of the ideas and kind words! I am going to focus on getting a corner shelf to display "Baby" on when I return from vacation. (Too focused on just gettin' outta town at the moment! ;-))

Auntjen--you didn't ask but you might want to have her appraised. I had a doll from my mother-in-laws and an article in the local paper mentioned Theriaults (http://www.theriaults.com/inside.cfm) was going to be in town and bring your dolls. The dolls very old and in tough shape. They bought one and I kept the other. Just for your info. J

Oh how sweet, a baby doll from your granny. The doll is precious and I love the name granny.

...Jane

How about a pretty baby cradle for her? I bet SR DS or DH could make one to fit her for you...they do the woodwork, the finishing would be up to you. They won't even put a finish on things for me :^0