This is an Ampex Golden Reel award for Christopher Cross's debut album. It was released on Dec. 27, 1979 and certified 5x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA by 1994 for 5 million copies sold. (Note: This is not a RIAA award).

Cross achieved huge success with this debut. It won him five Grammy awards and singles "Sailing", "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" (from 1981 film Arthur) reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Sailing" earned three Grammys in 1981 and "Arthur's Theme" won an Oscar that same year for Best Original Song (co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen shared the honor). The album reached #6 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and #14 on the UK Top Albums chart. 

Ampex Golden Reel awards were presented by the Ampex Corp. from approx. 1977 through 1989 for albums recorded entirely on Ampex recording tape which attained at least Gold sales in their country of origin. One award was given to the artist and one to the recording studio at which the project was recorded, making them rare awards. Especially so when considering that only around 500 albums received the honor. 

Item Highlights:

• Ampex Golden Reel award for Christopher Cross's debut album
• Presented to recording studios at which the album was recorded
• In VG condition
• Made around 1980
• Award measures approx. 12.5" x 15.5"
  
• One-of-a-kind collector's item for any Christopher Cross fan

Detailed Item Description: This is a "early style" (1977-1980) Ampex Golden Reel award dating to 1980, making it about 41 years old. This particular award is presented to Warner Bros. and Pecan Street Studios, the two facilities at which the album was recorded with producer Michael Omartian, who produced the release for Free Flow Productions.

The award is in VG condition. The "golden reel" is still bright although it has been polished and has a slightly uneven finish from age. The smoke colored plexiglass and presentation plate are still shiny and practically mar free. 

Notes on the condition of all vintage record 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.