RIAA Gold Album "white matte" award for Gladys Knight & the Pips album Imagination. Released on Oct. 9, 1973, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA just a month later on Nov. 5, 1973 for one million dollars worth sold.* Remember original Pips members William Guest (1941-2015) and Edward Patten (1939-2005) with this award.
The group's eleventh studio album featured the group's signature song, the Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit "Midnight Train to Georgia" which also topped the R&B Singles chart. Other singles "I've Got to Use My Imagination" and "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" also reached #1 on the R&B singles chart and went top 5 on the Hot 100. The album itself reached #9 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and #1 on the Top Soul LPs tally. It also charted in Australia.
Includes MusicGoldmine.com Letter Of Authenticity
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold "white matte" Album award
- In Good to VG condition
- Award from 1973
- Presented to Sonic Recording
- 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 Gladys Knight & the Pips fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP white matte award was made in 1973, making it about 53 years old. It is presented to Sonic Recording.
The award is in Good to 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 and while the album miniature is in Excellent condition, the gold disc and presentation plate have wear and imperfections (see images). 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
