RIAA Platinum Album award for Linda Ronstadt album What's New. Released on Sept. 9, 1983, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on Dec. 14, 1983 for one million copies sold.
The album of traditional pop standards went to #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and #31 on the UK Album Chart. The album also brought Ronstadt another Grammy award nomination (her 11th) for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. By 1993 the album would be certified 3x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA for three million copies sold. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Album award
- In VG condition
- Award made in 1984
- Presented to radio personality and executive
- Provenance letter included (see image)
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Known as a "strip plate" RIAA award, they were made from 1982-1985
- Great collector's item for any Linda Ronstadt fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Platinum Album award would have been manufactured in 1984, making it 40 years old. It is presented to David Alan Kraham, a DJ and radio music director active in the 70s and 80s, including at KHOP in California. A notarized letter of provenance from Kraham is included with this award (see image).
The award is in VG condition with all original components. It has some typical mars and scratches on the frame and some matte fading. It also has its' original New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer label.
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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