RIAA Gold 45 "white matte" award for the Beatles track "Something" presented to The Beatles. This single was released on October 25, 1969 and just a few days later certified Gold by the RIAA on October 27, 1969 for one million copies sold.
Released as a double A-side single with "Come Together" from the Beatles 1969 Abbey Road album, the track is considered by many to be George Harrison's finest moment. While he also penned the classic "Here Comes The Sun" for the same album, "Something" stands alone in many minds as his greatest songwriting achievement. The track topped the charts in the U.S., New Zealand, Canada, Australia, then West Germany, and hit #4 in the U.K. By 1999 the single was certified 2x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this single*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold 45 award with white matte, gold disc, and gold info plate
- Made in 1969
- Presented to The Beatles
- In VG condition
- First presentation original award
- "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. 13" x 17"
- Beautiful and very rare collector's item for any Beatles fan
- MusicGoldmine Premium Item: FREE, insured worldwide shipping and more benefits included (click for details). NOTE: To have the item shipped outside the USA please email support@musicgoldmine.com with your address and we will send you a custom invoice showing free shipping.
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold "white matte" single award was made in 1969 and features the Apple record label, which the group formed in 1968. It also feature a "small hole" 45, not often seen in white matte awards. The award is presented to The Beatles.
This awards is 55 years old yet in Very Good condition. There is some wear on the wood frame as is expected and the award has tears on its' backing paper, including where its original New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker would have been. Despite this, the award's construction appears to be 100% correct, with acid-etched presentation plate, an undamaged matte, and what look to be all its' original nails holding the matte in, which can be clearly seen on the award's back. The hanger has been changed but the holes remain from the proper wire hanger. Holes indicating that it was affixed to a wall at some point are also present on the back of the frame.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to get a highly coveted early Beatles RIAA white matte award presented to the group themselves. Did you know the Beatles have more RIAA sales in the top 10 highest auction sales than any other artist? See the top 10 in our article here.
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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