RIAA Gold LP award for Santana's Festival album which was released in January 1977. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 26, 1977 for 500,000 copies sold.

The album, the eighth studio release for Carlos Santana and his group, went to #27 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. It also reached #29 on the R&B Albums chart. Additionally, it charted in several countries in Europe and the album went Gold in France and Silver in the UK.

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Gold LP award
• First presentation award from 1977
  
• Presented to album producer
• In VG condition
• All original award but rebacked
• Known as a "floater" award because the components appear to "float" above the matte, they were made from 1975-1981
  
• RIAA floater awards numbered only 25-50 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
• Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
• Great collectors item for any Santana fan

Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold award that would have been manufactured in 1977. This makes the award about 46 years old. The award is presented to producer David Rubinson, who produced the album and who also worked with Herbie Hancock, Patti LaBelle, Moby Grape, Taj Mahal, The Pointer Sisters and many more.

This award is in VG condition, with some wear to the frame, mars on the plexiglass and minor matte fading. The award appears to have been rebacked since the manufacturer label is missing but is otherwise all original.

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.