RIAA Gold LP white matte award for Cat Stevens album Catch Bull At Four. Released on Sept. 27, 1972, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA on Oct. 12, 1972 for one million dollars worth sold.
The album, Stevens' sixth studio outing, featured the hit "Sitting", which reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album topped the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and remained there for three weeks. It also topped the charts in Australia and Canada and hit #2 on the UK Albums tally, while also charting in many other world markets. By 2001 the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million copies sold.*
Mouse Over to Zoom/Click to Enlarge Photos
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP white matte award
- First presentation award from 1972
- Presented to artist manager/agent
- In Good to VG condition
- "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 Cat Stevens fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award was made in 1972, making it about 52 years old. The award is presented to Barry Krost, Cat Stevens' artist manager and agent. Krost brought Stevens to Chris Blackwell's attention, who signed him to Island Records for the UK and Europe (Stevens was on A&M for the USA).
This award is in Good to Very Good condition, considering its age. There are some mars on the wood frame, as is expected, along with minor label and album miniature fading. All the components of this award are original except the glass. Its' original backing paper has been cut on all sides since the glass was replaced on this award by the previous owner, and they also taped the original backing paper with New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker onto the back.
Interested in knowing more about RIAA awards and what makes them great to add to your collection? Subscribe to our free bi-weekly newsletter and get our MusicGoldmine RIAA and Record Award Guide free plus a 15% discount code here.
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