RIAA Gold Album "white matte" award for Joni Mitchell album For The Roses. The album was released in November 1972 and quickly certified Gold by the RIAA on December 22, 1972 for one million dollars worth sold.*
Mitchell's fifth album featured the hit "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio", which reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also included popular tracks "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" and "Judgment of the Moon and Stars". It is reported that some of the songs Mitchell wrote for the release were related to her then relationship with James Taylor. The album was critically lauded at the time as well and in 2007 the Library of Congress added it to its National Recording Registry.
Includes MusicGoldmine.com Letter Of Authenticity
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold "white matte" Album award
- In VG condition
- Award from 1972
- Presented to WEA Atlanta
- All original components, rebacked (see below)
- RIAA "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 very rare collector's item for any fan of Joni Mitchell
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP white matte award would have been made in 1972, making it about 54 years old. It is presented to WEA Atlanta (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic), part of the distribution network that handled Asylum Records releases.
The award is 54 years old yet in VG condition. There are some typical mars on the wood frame and minor fading of the record label and album miniature. It had a very dirty matte that was replaced with another original 1970s white matte from another award and thus has been rebacked. All other components are from the original award.
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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