RIAA 5x Multi-Platinum Album award for Whitney Houston's debut album. Houston (1963-2012) released her breakthrough first album on Feb. 21, 1985, the album was certified 5x Multi-Platinum for five million copies sold on May 1, 1986.

The album produced three #1 Billboard Hot 100 singles including "Saving All My Love for You", "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love of All" (a cover of the George Benson tune). This made Houston the first female artist to achieve three #1s on an album. The album itself also hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and UK Albums charts, along with the top spot on many other world music markets. It also picked up a Grammy nomination in 1987. By mid 1999 the album had been certified 13x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA making it onto the elite list of RIAA Diamond sales award winners. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*.

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Item Highlights:

RIAA 5x Multi-Platinum album award with all proper components for the "flower hologram" era: "platinum" disc, cassette, "flower hologram" and silver presentation plate and chrome frame
In VG to Excellent condition with original back
First presentation award
Presented to music industry executive
Known as a "flower hologram" award they were made from 1986-1989
Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
Great collectors item for any Whitney Houston fan
FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
International shipping available

Detailed Item Description:

This RIAA award was made in 1987, making it 34 years old. It is a first presentation award that is presented to a radio industry executive whose name has been obscured in the photos for privacy. A letter of provenance from this executive will be provided with purchase. Provenance letter can be seen in images with executive's name obscured for privacy. Item buyer will receive a non-obscured copy of the letter.

The award is in VG to Excellent condition with only a couple of scratches on the frame and mars on the plexiglass. While its' original manufacturer sticker has fallen off, a size and shape of adhesive residue that matches that of a Creative Glassics sticker remains on the lower right of the back, indicating that the backing paper is original.

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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

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