RIAA Platinum Album award for Steely Dan album Gaucho. Released on Nov. 21, 1980, the album was certified Gold and Platinum on the same day by the RIAA on Jan. 22, 1981 for one million copies sold.* Vintage Steely Dan awards are hard to find. Remember Steely Dan's Walter Becker (1950-2017) with this award.
The album contained the singles "Hey Nineteen", "Babylon Sisters", and "Time Out Of Mind". The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts and also charted highly in Australia, Canada, the UK and several countries in Europe. The album won a Grammy for Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical, and also was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Includes MusicGoldmine.com Letter Of Authenticity
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Album award
- Award from 1981
- In VG condition
- Presented to MCA Records
- Original components, rematted (see detail below)
- 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 approx. 17" x 21"
- Great, rare collector's item for any Steely Dan fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Platinum Album award was made in 1981, making it 45 years old. It is presented to MCA Records, Inc.
The award is in VG condition with frame wear and some minor mars on the plexiglass. The matte has been replaced with an exact match charcoal color pebble matte since the original was damaged by the disc coming dislodged. All other components are original. The construction details confirm that the award was manufactured by the New York Picture & Frame Co.,
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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 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