RIAA Platinum LP award for Van Halen album Van Halen II. Released on March 23, 1979, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on May 8, 1979 for one million copies sold.
The album, the group's second, produced popular VH hits "Dance The Night Away" and "Beautiful Girls". It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, and #23 in the UK. It also did well in Australia, Canada, Japan and several other countries. By 2004 the album had gone to 5x Multi-Platinum for five million sold. See image above for more RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*.
Mouse Over to Zoom/Click to Enlarge Photos
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Album award
- In VG condition
- Made in 1979
- Presented to record label executive
- Original back with manufacturer label
- Known as a "floater" award because the components appear to "float" above the matte, they were made from 1975-1981
- RIAA floater awards numbered only 25-50 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Great collectors item for any Van Halen fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Platinum award is presented to the group's record label Warner Bros. Records. This is a first presentation RIAA Platinum award that would have been manufactured in 1979, making this award 45 years old. It is presented to the late Chris Crist, who was Promotion Manager at Warner Bros. Records at the time. See image of Crist's business card (card not included).
This award is in VG condition with wear on the frame and plexiglass, and minor fading of the matte. The original backing paper and Creative Glassics manufacturer sticker are present, but the backing paper has been cut on three sides.
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 20 to 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, record retailers, 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