RIAA Gold album award for Earth, Wind & Fire's album Touch The World, which was released on Oct. 20, 1987. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on Jan. 18, 1988 for 500,000 copies sold.
Produced by the late Maurice White of the group, the album peaked at #3 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and #33 on the Top Pop Albums chart. Both "System Of Survival" and "Thinking Of You" went to #1 on the Billboard Dance Singles chart and also did well in Europe. The album was nominated for a Soul Train Award for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year in 1988 as well.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA "flower hologram" Gold album award with LP and cassette
- In VG condition
- First presentation award from 1988
- Presentation to mother of then Earth, Wind & Fire member Sheldon Reynolds
- All original components unaltered
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold award that would have been manufactured in 1988 when this style of RIAA award was made ("flower RIAA hologram"). That makes this award approx. 32 years old. It is presented to the mother of Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist at the time, Sheldon Reynolds. Reynolds was previously a member of The Commodores and Sun.
It appears to be in original condition, i.e. unaltered components including what appears to be an original back complete with Fitzgerald Hartley manufacturer sticker. This award is in VG condition, with only a very, very tiny chip out of one back corner of the frame and minor mars on the plexiglas.
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: 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: 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.