John Glenn's childhood pillowcase showed his love of space at early age

When the young John Glenn nestled in his bed, it may not have been sugar plums that danced in his head, but celestial bodies.

A recently discovered child's pillowcase that belonged to the late U.S. senator and space hero depicts revolving planets, stars and a view to outer space. At the center, a koala bear clings to some sort of spacecraft, labeled "John" in blue embroidery.

Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth.

New York-area graduate student Adam Sackowitz purchased the pillowcase at a March 8 estate sale for $2,500. An authentication certificate says it belonged to Glenn during childhood.

Sackowitz hopes to donate the item either to Glenn's birthplace of Cambridge, Ohio, or to the John & Annie Glenn Museum in New Concord, Ohio.