RIAA Gold Album Award for Def Leppard album Pyromania. Released on Jan. 20, 1983, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA on March 21, 1983 for 500,000 copies sold. Early Def Leppard awards are very hard to find. Remember Steve Clark (1960-1991) with this award.
The album produced the hits "Photograph", "Rock Of Ages", "Foolin'" and "Too Late For Love", all of which charted well. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, #4 on the Canadian chart, #18 on UK chart and scored many other chart positions around the world. By 2004 the album became a rare RIAA Diamond Award winner with ten million copies sold.*
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award
- Presented to MTV
- Award made in 1983
- All original
- In VG condition (see details)
- Known as a RIAA "strip plate" award, they were made from 1982-85
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Great collectors item for any Def Leppard fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a RIAA Gold Album award that would have been manufactured in 1983, making it approx. 42 years old. A rare early Def Leppard award celebrating the first major milestone for this classic album, it is presented to MTV: Music Television. MTV was instrumental in the band's early success, with videos for hits like "Photograph" featured in heavy rotation on the music channel.
The award is in VG condition considering its' age with only minor mars on the plexiglass and frame. It's fairly clear that the presentation plate had come loose at some point and it shows some print and overall degradation. This is further evidenced by the cuts and tape on the backing paper indicating plate re-attachment was done, but the backing paper is original and although the manufacturer sticker is missing, the award's construction and sticker adhesive residue size, shape and location indicate it was made by the New York Frame & Picture Co.
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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 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, 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: 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