RIAA Gold LP "white matte" award for Elton John's Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player LP. The album was released on January 26, 1973 in the U.S. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on February 12, 1973 for one million dollars worth sold.

The album became Elton's second straight #1 on the Billboard album chart and it also went to #1 in the UK. It also yielded his first #1 hit in the U.S. with the classic "Crocodile Rock", while "Daniel" went to #2. By 1995 it had been certified 3x Multi-Platinum.

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
• In VG condition with some typical scratches and mars on the frame (see more detail below)
• A first presentation award from 1973
• Presented to music publisher
• Original backing paper 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 was made in 1973 given the album's certification date, making it about 50 years old. It features Elton John's new label by this point, MCA Records (after Uni Records merged with Decca and Kapp to create MCA), and has a gold disc made by Disc Award Ltd. with its distinctive dragon logo engraved in the dead wax area (see detail image).

The award is presented to Dick James (1920-1986), who was Sir Elton's first music publisher. James and Brian Epstein established the Beatles' publisher Northern Songs and later James founded, with his son Stephen, the DJM record label and recording studios, which signed Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

This award is 49 years old but is in Very Good condition, considering its age. There are a few mars and scratches on the wood frame as is expected. The matte and presentation plate, gold record and label are in Excellent condition and the glass is clear. The award's backing paper is original with New York Picture & Frame Co. manufacturer sticker. It has been cut on three sides (only) and sealed with tape to help prevent dust intrusion.

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.