RIAA Gold Album award for the 2005 Grammy Awards Nominees album presented to and owned by Prince, whose track "Cinnamon Girl" from his album Musicology was nominated and on this album. Released on Feb. 1, 2005, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 copies sold on March 3, 2005, which this unique and very rare shadow box award celebrates.
Prince's "Cinnamon Girl", which was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance—Male, and he did win two Grammy Awards that year, for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "Musicology" and for Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male for "Call My Name". The Grammy Nominees album also included tracks from a range of 47th Annual Grammy Nominees in 2005 as can be seen printed on the face of the award. The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.
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Item Highlights:
- Official RIAA Gold Album shadow box award with 3D replica Grammy Award and album art
- In Very Good condition with original back
- First presentation award from 2005
- Presented to and owned by Prince
- Provenance note included from assistant to Prince (see images)
- Known as a RIAA "serial number hologram" award, they were made from 1998-present
- Award measures approx. 24" x 24" x 5" deep
- Great, rare item for any Prince fan or collector of unique RIAA awards
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is an original first presentation RIAA award from 2005, making it 20 years old. It is presented to Prince.
This large and impressive shadow box design makes use of "3D" elements including the near life size replica Grammy Award in the case against a mirrored background and red velvet lined box. It is a very unique and rare award. It comes with a provenance note penned by Ruth Violette Azarte, who was Prince's assistant and/or assistant manager from 2004-2010 during the time he received this award. The note reads:
'In 2005 Prince received this commemorative recognition for "Cinnamon Girl." Because it was not an actual award, it was given to me to keep. While he lived in the original "3121" home, it was displayed in the "cloud room" which was his studio. Enjoy! (initialed)'
Note: It's worth clarifying that this is not a commemorative award, it is in fact an official RIAA award. What Violette Azarte likely meant is that it does not recognize only Prince's work such as his album or single alone. In comments received later, Violette clarified that Prince valued songwriting and merit awards the most, and was not keen on the sales awards he received and this is why he eventually gifted it to her.
The award is in Very Good condition including original back with Ill-Eagle manufacturer sticker. The backing board has some stains and warping, however there is no damage to the front or internals of the award and the piece displays beautifully. It has some minor damage to one bottom rear corner of the shadow box (see image) but otherwise only very minor mars on the shadowbox frame and plexiglass face.
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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: 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