1980s Polygram Records album award for John Cougar (Mellencamp) album American Fool, recognizing one million copies sold. Released on April 12, 1982, the album was in fact certified Platinum by the RIAA on Aug. 26, 1982 for one million copies sold. (Note this is not a RIAA award).
Mellencamp's fifth studio album, on which he is billed as John Cougar, was his breakthrough with a nine-week run at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Hit singles from the release included "Jack And Diane", "Hurts So Good", and "Hand To Hold On To". The album also did well in Australia, Canada, the UK, and several other countries. The album went on to sell five million copies in the U.S. alone by 1996, per the RIAA.
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Item Highlights:
- Polygram Records 1M Sold Album Award
- Award from the mid-1980s
- Presented to record industry executive
- Letter of provenance included
- In VG condition
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Great collectors item for any John Cougar Mellencamp fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This Polygram Records awards is estimated to have been made in the mid-1980s based on the RIAA certification date and the award's construction, making it approx. 40 years old. It is presented to Harold Guilfoil, a record distribution executive who worked at Geffen Records, Universal Music and other companies. A letter of provenance from the award recipient will be provided with purchase (see image).
The award is in VG condition with only very minor mars on the plexiglass and frame. The award has its' original Al's Custom Frames & Gallery manufacturer sticker (Al's also made some RIAA awards during this time period).
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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: 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