RIAA Gold 45 award for The Rascals "People Got To Be Free", which was a single released on July 1, 1968 and certified Gold® by the RIAA on August 23, 1968 for 1 million copies sold.
Written by group members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, with the former on the lead vocal, the track went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada. It became the group's second most successful single behind "Groovin' " from the previous year.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold 45 award with white matte, gold disc and gold info plate
- In VG to Excellent condition with only some minor scratches on the frame
- A first presentation award from 1968
- Presented to the group's label Atlantic Records
- Has an opened/re-taped back but with original (creased) backing paper with original New York Picture & Framing Co. manufacturer sticker
- "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from 1964-1974
- RIAA white matte awards from the 1960s numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures 13" x 17"
- Beautiful and rare collector's item
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold 45 single award is presented to Atlantic Records. It appears too have been made in 1968 given its certification date (white matte style awards were produced from 1964-74) and the manufacturer's sticker supports the theory of a date before 1969 since the manufacturer (New York Frame & Picture Co.) was only located at 141 Fulton St., NY until that year. After 1969 the company moved to 29 John St., NY and had new labels made with that address.
The smoother, whiter Miller board used post-1967 is present and it features the correct Atlantic label on the record label, and the presentation plate correctly shows that the award is "to commemorate more than one million copies of the Pop Single Record..."
The backing paper appears to be original but has been cut around and then re-taped. It is likely it was stored folded up for a time given the creases, although this is only a guess. The presence of the correct era address sticker, the backing's aged appearance, and the rest of the components of the award would indicate it being original. The wood frame appears to be the correct and original white matte style frame.
This award is approx. 51 years old and is in very good to excellent condition, especially considering its age. There are a few minor scratches on the frame (see detail images). The matte board and presentation plate are in excellent condition.
Interested in knowing more about RIAA awards and what makes them great to add to your collection? Read our article 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