Guns N' Roses RIAA Platinum album award for their debut album Appetite For Destruction, which was released on July 21, 1987. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on April 19, 1988 for one million copies sold.
It topped the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and became the best-selling debut album of all time in the U.S. One could argue that "Welcome To The Jungle" changed music, ushering out "hair metal" and in a new, harder-edged strain of rock into the mainstream. The melodic guitar lines of "Sweet Child o' Mine" and anthemic "Paradise City" also helped power the album to RIAA certified sales of over 18 million by 2008. See image above for the RIAA sales certification data of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA "flower hologram" Platinum album award with LP and cassette
- In VG to Excellent condition
- First presentation award from 1988
- All original components unaltered with original back paper and manufacturer label
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- RIAA "flower hologram" awards were made from 1986-89
- Awesome collector's item for any Guns N' Roses fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Platinum award that would have been manufactured in 1988 when this style of RIAA award was made. That makes it approx. 35 years old. It is presented to Adam Pierce. It is not known what role Pierce played in the creation of marketing of the record.
This award appears to be in completely original condition, i.e. unaltered components including back with manufacturer's stickers from Dejay Products. This award is in VG to Excellent condition, with only a very minor mar or two on the frame. The back of the award was stapled since it was likely coming loose, as sometimes happens on this style of award.
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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