RIAA Gold LP "white matte" award for Elton John's Caribou LP. The album was released in June 24, 1974 in the U.S. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 5, 1974 for one million dollars worth sold.

The album became Elton's third straight #1 on the Billboard album chart and it also went to #1 in the UK. It yielded the classic hit "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #16 on the UK Singles chart. "The Bitch Is Back" also charted in the top ten in the U.S. and Canada. The album was nominated for the Album of the Year at the Grammy awards in 1975. By 1993 it had been certified 2x Multi-Platinum.

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
• In VG to Excellent condition with some typical scratches and mars on the frame (see more detail below)
• A first presentation award from 1974
• Presented to John's manager from 1970 to 1998
• Original 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. 17" x 21"
• Beautiful and rare collector's item for any Elton John fan

Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award must have been made in 1974, making it 48 years old. The award has a gold disc made by Disc Award Ltd. with its distinctive dragon logo engraved in the dead wax area (see detail image). It is presented to John Reid, Elton John's manager from 1970-1998. Reid also managed Queen from 1975-78.

The award is in Very Good to Excellent condition, considering its age. There are a few mars and scratches on the wood frame as is expected. The presentation plate is in very good condition and the glass is clear. Original with New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a coveted RIAA white matte award for one of Sir Elton John's classic early releases.

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.