RIAA Platinum LP award for Prince's classic 1999 album, which was released on Oct. 27, 1982. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on May 17, 1983 for 1 million copies sold
Both "Little Red Corvette" and the title cut of the album became major hits for Prince, with the title track also becoming an anthem to welcome the new millennium almost two decades after its release, then propelling it to 4x Multi-Platinum™ status. The album was added to Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2003 and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum LP award with all proper components for the era: Platinum colored frame, platinum disc and platinum presentation plate
- In VG to Excellent condition with a few minor scratches on frame
- First presentation award from 1983
- Presented to Prince's record label WEA
- Appears to be an unopened back with original manufacturer's sticker still present
- Known as a "floater" award because the components appear to "float" above the matte, they were reportedly made by an unknown manufacturer later than RIAA standards dictated from 1981-85
- RIAA "floater" awards numbered only 25-50 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures 17.5" x 21.5"
- Beautiful collector's item for a Prince 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 1983. That makes this award approximately 36 years old. It is presented to label promotion team at WEA/Cincinnati Indianapolis.
The award is in VG condition with all components appearing original. It has only a few typical scratches and mars on the frame and plexiglas and a slightly faded matte. There are some tears in the original backing paper but a Fitzgerald Hartley manufacturer sticker is present. The sticker may have been added later. This is most likely a "grey area floater" award made in the 80s by an unknown manufacturer. Many Warner Bros. awards share these characteristics. For more information on awards such as this, see the section on "floater awards" in our record award guide article here.
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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