RIAA Gold LP "white matte" award for Elton John album Greatest Hits. Released on November 4, 1974, the album was quickly certified Gold by the RIAA on November 8, 1974 for one million dollars worth sold.
Sir Elton's first greatest hits album, it covers the years from 1970 to 1974, compiling everything from his breakthrough hit "Your Song" to equally iconic tracks "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)", "Bennie and the Jets", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", "Crocodile Rock" and more. The album went to #1 in both the U.S. and U.K. and in several other markets, and became the best-selling album of 1975. It was certified Diamond (10M sold) by the RIAA in 1993 and by 2016 had reached over 17 million copies sold in the U.S. alone. See image above for the RIAA sales history of this album*
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
- In VG condition
- A first presentation award from 1974
- Presented to music publisher
- All original with original manufacturer's sticker
- "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from 1964-1974
- RIAA white matte awards numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Beautiful and rare collector's item for any Elton John fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award would have been made in 1974 given the album's certification date. The award is presented to Dick James (1920-1986), who was Sir Elton's first music publisher. James and Brian Epstein established the Beatles' publisher Northern Songs and later James founded, with his son Stephen, the DJM record label and recording studios, which signed Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
The award is 48 years old but is in VG condition, considering its age. There are a few mars and scratches on the wood frame as is expected but the record label, presentation plate, album miniature, gold disc and matte are in excellent condition and the glass is clear. The original backing paper is also intact with original New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a coveted all-original RIAA white matte award for one of Sir Elton John's classic early releases.
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Notes on the condition of all vintage RIAA awards like this one: Please do not buy this item if you want a brand new piece of memorabilia. These are historical artifacts from the year they were produced. As a result they may show signs of wear. Frankly, if you see a 50-year-old award purported to be in 100% perfect condition, it might be too good to be true. After all, an antique should have "good' wear. If not, you might want to question the piece.
As to where they came from, they could have been displayed in record label offices, recording studios, artist manager's offices, radio stations, private collector's homes and yes, of course, possibly the artist's or songwriter's home. Typically, we don't know all the places they may have been over the years other than what we've stated in the description.
Finally, a word on photos: Our photos are zoomable so you can get a very good look. Do let us know if you want photos of any other details on our pieces and we'll be happy to provide.
*RIAA sales data source: RIAA.com