Bette Midler Bathhouse Betty RIAA Gold Album Award. The album was released on Sept. 15, 1998 and was certified Gold on Jan.22, 1999 by the RIAA.

"I'm Beautiful", which was remixed by Victor Calderone, Danny Tenaglia and songwriter Brinsley Evans,among others, was a major dance club hit for Midler, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and #8 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi Singles charts. Also, "My One True Friend" went to #16 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The album itself peaked at #32 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart .

Item Highlights:

• RIAA "serial number bar hologram" Gold award with album art
• In VG condition
• First presentation award made in 1999
• Presented to marketing and promotions exec
• Has original backing paper and manufacturer's label
  
• Known as a "RIAA bar hologram" award with a serial number hologram, they were made from 1998 to present
• Award measures 17.5" x 21.5"
• Great collectors item for any Bette Midler fan

Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold album award was made in 1999, making it approx. 23 years old. It is a first presentation award that was presented to late dance music marketing and promotions executive Orlando Puerta who worked this album. He also worked with Cher, Madonna, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Depeche Mode, New Order, Orgy, Static X, Michael Bublé and Seal.

Here's what Madonna told a Billboard reporter when Puerta passed away in April 2020: “I am forever indebted to Orlando and he will be sorely missed, his passion and commitment to dance and club music had no limits and he was a very big reason I had 50 number ones on the dance charts. Thank you Orlando. RIP.”

The award is in VG condition with only minor scratches and mars on the plexiglass and frame, and a a couple of tears on the backing paper which have been taped to help prevent dust intrusion. It is complete with original backing paper with Fitzgerald Hartley manufacturer sticker.

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.