Oct. 17, 2007
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - A rare, one-of-a-kind item is set to be auctioned off in the next online auction at GoPSUsports.com. The prototype of a Christopher Radko-designed collectable cookie jar, featuring the engraved autograph of Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, will be part of the next round of auctions which begin on Friday, Oct. 19.
This ceramic, fired cookie jar, designed by Radko and titled 'Game Day Penn State', was created for his exclusive Happy Valley dealer, George's Floral Boutique. The specially crafted item is the factory prototype, which features the engraving of Paterno's autograph stamped on the side of the Penn State football. The autograph will not appear on any of the production pieces, which will be available January 08, making this particular cookie jar not just a one of a kind, but a piece of Penn State history. George's Floral has donated this prototype to Penn State Athletics to be used in GoPSUsports.com's highly successful auctions to benefit the general scholarship fund of the athletic department. Radko is renowned for producing fine European glass ornaments and other home decorative items and gifts. This creative design incorporates elements of the glass Penn State ornaments which Radko has created for George's since 1999. His design titles include Lion Shrine, Pigskin Penn State, We Are Penn State, Blue Band March, and Penn State Football. You may see these designs at www.georgesfloral.com.
Fans interested in the retail version of the cookie jar, available in January can contact George's Floral directly at georges_floral@hotmail.com or (800) 301-2722. The store is located at 482 East College Avenue in downtown State College.
GoPSUsports.com's auctions, which launched in August, have been extremely popular, offering Nittany Lion fans the opportunity to bid on game-used footballs, fan experiences in the Penn State press box, autographed merchandise and special seating for upcoming Penn State events. The current auction, which ends Friday at 4 p.m., features a game-used ball from Penn State's 38-7 triumph over Wisconsin. The next auction, featuring the Radko cookie jar, will begin Friday, October 19.
For more information on Penn State auctions, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com.