RIAA Gold 45 "white matte" award for The Cowsills single "The Rain, The Park & Other Things". The single was released in Sept. 1967 and certified Gold by the RIAA on Dec. 19, 1967 for one million copies sold.

Off their 1967 album The Cowsills the track reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was kept from #1 by the Monkees "Daydream Believer". It tied the group's highest chart spot with their 1969 hit "Hair". 

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Gold 45 award with white matte, gold disc, and gold info plate
• In VG condition with some typical scratches and mars on the frame
• Made in 1967
• Presented to artist manager/record executive
• Letter of provenance included
• Has unopened original back with 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. 13" x 17"
• Beautiful and very rare collector's item for any Cowsills or 60s classics fan

Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award was made in 1966 making it about 55 years old. It is presented to Zach Glickman (d. 2015), who managed the Cowsills, Dion, a member of Earth Wind & Fire, Frank Zappa and many others through a 50+ year career in the music industry. The award is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Glickman's son Benny who took possession of his late father's awards after he passed away and who also worked extensively in the music industry (see image of letter).

This award is in Very Good condition, considering its age. There is some wear on the wood frame as is typical. The award also has its original backing paper with New York Frame & Picture Co. sticker still present. 

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.