RIAA Gold LP award for War's Live LP, which was released in 1973 and certified Gold® by the RIAA on March 13, 1974 for one million dollars worth sold.
Recorded during a series of performances at Chicago's High Chaparral club, the album included past hits "The Cisco Kid" and a new track "Ballero"/ "Slippin' into Darkness", which reached #17 on the Billboard R&B chart and #33 on the Pop Chart. The album itself went to #1 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1974.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
- In VG to Excellent condition with some typical scratches and mars on the frame
- A first presentation award from 1974
- Presented to record executive
- Has an unopened original backing paper with original New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer 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
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Beautiful and rare collector's item
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award must have been made in 1974 given its certification date and the fact that 1974 was the last year that white matte style awards were produced. The New York Frame & Picture Co. sticker features the correct post 1969 address of 29 John St., NY. This particular award also features a gold disc made by Disc Award Ltd. with its distinctive dragon logo engraved in the dead wax area (see detail image). The award is presented to Marilyn Mark. It is not known what role she played in the creation or promotion of this album.
The smoother, whiter Miller board used post-1967 is present and the award features the correct United Artists label on the album, with the correct style presentation plate reading "to commemorate more than one million dollars worth of the United Artists Records long-playing record album..."
It is approx. 45 years old and yet is in very good to excellent condition, considering its age. There are a few mars and scratches on the frame and the matte has one area of minor discoloration on the upper right (see detail images). The disc and presentation plate are in excellent condition. The backing paper is original and unopened. It does have a minor tear or two as is typical.
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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