RIAA Gold Album "white matte" award for Emerson Lake & Palmer album Brain Salad Surgery. The album was released on December 7, 1973 and certified Gold by the RIAA just a week later on Dec. 12, 1973 for one million dollars worth sold.* Remember Keith Emerson (1944-2016) and Greg Lake (1947-2016) with this award.
ELP's fourth studio album featured classic tracks "Still... You Turn Me On", "Jerusalem", and the three-part "Karn Evil 9". The album itself reached #11 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, #2 in the UK, #10 in Canada, and it also charted in much of Europe, along with Australia and Japan.
Includes MusicGoldmine.com Letter Of Authenticity
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold "white matte" Album award
- In VG condition
- Award from 1974
- Presented to Manticore Records
- All original components but rematted/reframed (see details below)
- RIAA "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. 17" x 21"
- Beautiful and very rare collector's item for any ELP fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP white matte award was made in 1974, making it about 56 years old. It is presented to Manticore Records, ELP's own label, distributed at that time by Atlantic Records.
The award is in Very Good condition, considering its age. It has undergone restoration with the matte and album miniature being replaced, along with a reproduction frame that is an exact match to the original. The other components are original. The award was rebacked due to the restoration.
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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