RIAA Gold LP "white matte" award for The Doors The Soft Parade LP presented to Jim Morrison. The album was released on July 1, 1969 in the U.S and was certified Gold a few days later by the RIAA on Aug. 5, 1969 for one million dollars worth sold.
The fourth studio album from The Doors produced the #3 Billboard Hot 100 hit "Touch Me" as the band experimented with strings and horns on the recordings after producer Paul A. Rothschild suggested the approach. Jazz-oriented members Robbie Krieger, John Densmore and Ray Manzarek embraced the idea. "Wishful Sinful", "Tell All The People" and "Runnin' Blue" were also released as singles. The album reached #6 on the Billboard Albums chart. 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 white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
- In VG condition
- A first presentation award from 1969
- Presented to Jim Morrison
- Has original backing paper with manufacturer's sticker
- "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from 1964-1974
- RIAA white matte awards numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Very rare "reverse orientation" white matte award, only made for about six months in 1969
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Beautiful and extremely rare collector's item
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award was made in 1969 and this is a first presentation award. The award is presented to Jim Morrison, arguably the most valuable presentation for Doors awards.
One interesting detail about this particular award that helps define when it was made is that it features a reversed layout of the presentation plate and album miniature positions. It turns out that there was a roughly six month period in the summer of 1969 during which these reverse layout awards were made with the album miniature on the right and the presentation plate on the left, a trait not found in any other year white matte or floater era awards. You can read more about this anomaly in our RIAA awards article here.
The award features the correct style presentation plate reading "to commemorate more than one million dollars worth of the Elektra Records long-playing record album..." etc. It is 50 years old but is in Very Good condition. There are a few mars and scratches on the wood frame but it is complete with original backing paper and New York Frame & Picture Co. sticker.
Accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance from the collector who owned the award since the early 1990s. Provenance letter can be seen in images with collector's name obscured for privacy. Item buyer will receive a non-obscured copy of the letter.
Don't miss this very rare opportunity to acquire a coveted RIAA white matte award presented to the iconic singer/poet laureate of The Doors.
Learn about the top 10 highest prices attained by RIAA awards sold in the marketplace in our 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 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