COLLECTOR'S PASSION JUST FOR CHRISTMAS
TREE ORNAMENTS GO ON DISPLAY
Byline: By Ryan Konig, Staff writer
Richard Fox flipped through a catalog a few years ago and caught a glimpse of Christmas
past and of a collector's future.
The central Phoenix resident saw a Christmas tree ornament designed by Christopher Radko and crafted by a European glass blower.
The ornament, of a snowman, brought back Christmas memories that Fox enjoyed as a child in a snowed-in Kentucky mountain town.
Back then, ornaments were delicate glass with bold colors, radiating a Christmas spirituality.
''Christmas was more spiritual then, not commercial as it is today,'' Fox said. ''The Radko ornaments remind me of that spirituality.''
Fox's collection of Radko ornaments has grown to hundreds. They are on display at the historic Rosson House at Monroe and Sixth streets in Heritage Square.
Fox, a gardener, is known for popularizing Block Watch and other neighborhood programs throughout Phoenix. His Radko collection includes ornaments made to raise money for charity. The snowman ornament raised money for AIDS-related research. More than $100,000 has been collected, said Radko's publicist in New York City.
Radko also does limited-edition series. Three years ago, he designed a partridge-in-a-pear-tree ornament to commemorate the First Day of Christmas. He'll continue releasing a new ornament until all Twelve Days are represented. That'll take nine more years.
The partridge ornament sold for $35 when first released. Now, some collectors are paying as much as $1,500 to buy the item from other collectors, Fox said.
Jeff Connit, owner of the Christmas Is store at the Arizona Center, says a wide range of Radko ornaments are available from $20 to $60.
Rosson House is one of 34 sites in the first annual Downtown Holiday Tree Tour, a self-guided walking tour of holiday trees, decorations and displays. A list of sites is available from Rosson House. The tours will take place nightly through New Year's Day.
Color Photo by Suzanne Starr, Staff photographer
Richard Fox's collection of Christmas ornaments is on display at Rosson House at Monroe and Sixth streets in Heritage Square.