RIAA Gold Album "white matte" award for the Engelbert Humperdinck album The Last Waltz presented to Engelbert Humperdinck. Released in 1968, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA on Feb. 27, 1969 for one million dollars worth sold.*
The artist's third studio album produced the hit title track, which went to #1 in the UK and #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and into the top 10 of the Easy Listening chart. It also charted in many other countries. His popularity was also helped at this time by his own television series The Engelbert Humperdinck Show for ATV in the United Kingdom and ABC in the U.S. for six months during 1969–70. The album hit #10 on the Billboard Top LPs chart and also reached #3 in the UK, and also charted in numerous other markets.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award
- Presented to Engelbert Humperdinck
- In VG condition
- Award from 1969
- All original, rebacked
- "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 rare collectors item for any Engelbert Humperdinck fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a RIAA Gold Album white matte award that would have been manufactured in 1969. It is presented to Engelbert Humperdinck.
One interesting feature of this award is that it was clearly made in the roughly six month period from Spring to Fall in 1969 when the position of the presentation plate and album miniature were flip flopped, with the plate located on the left of the award instead of the right. Only awards made in this brief window of time were constructed this way.
Overall the award is in VG condition despite being about 56 years old. It has typical frame wear but very minor fading of the matte, great Parrot record label, and album miniature. It has what appears to be its' original backing paper, which has some tears, and New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker with the Fulton Street address (NYF&P moved from 141 Fulton St. to 29 John St. sometime in 1969).
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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