RIAA Gold LP Award for James Taylor's album J.T. Released on June 22, 1977, the album went Gold within a few short weeks later on July 5, 1977.
The release contained "Handy Man", which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and which topped the Adult Contemporary chart. "Your Smiling Face" went to #20. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and was nominated for Album Of The Year. It also contained tracks on which Taylor's then wife Carly Simon was featured as a guest vocalist. By 1997 the album had gone 3x Multi-Platinum. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP award with all proper components for the era: Gold frame, gold disc and gold presentation plate
- In VG condition with some typical scratches and mars on frame
- First presentation award from 1977
- Presented to record executive
- All original although has been rebacked
- Known as a "floater" award because the components appear to "float" above the matte, they were made from 1975-1981
- RIAA floater awards numbered only 25-50 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures 17.5" x 21.5"
- Beautiful collectors item for James Taylor fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold award that would have been manufactured in 1977, since this "floater" style award was produced from 1975-81. This makes this an earlier floater award that is 43 years old.
The award is presented to Ron McCarrell who was a long-time record executive at many different labels. This award is in VG condition, with some typical scratches and mars on the frame. The award has been rebacked but all internal components appear original.
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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