RIAA Gold LP white matte award for the Rolling Stones album Exile On Main St. presented to Keith Richards. Released on May 12, 1972, the album was quickly certified Gold by the RIAA on May 30, 1972 for $1 million worth sold.

The twelfth album outing from the Stones was largely recorded via mobile recording truck at a villa in the South of France where the group were staying as tax exiles. It included the hits "Tumbling Dice" and "Happy" and the album topped the charts in the U.S., U.K., Canada and several other countries. By 2000 the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million sold.

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
• In VG condition
• First presentation award made in 1972
• Presented to Keith Richards
• All original with New York Frame & Picture Co. 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. 17.25" x 21.75"
• Beautiful and very rare collector's item for any Rolling Stones fan

Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP white matte award would have been made in 1972 given the album's certification date. The award's most spectacular feature is undoubtedly that it is presented to Stones co-founder, co-songwriter and guitarist Keith Richards, who also sings lead on the track "Happy" on this album.

The backing paper is original and unopened with New York Frame & Picture Co. sticker. The award is approx. 48 years old yet is in Very Good to Excellent condition, especially considering its age. There are some typical scratches on the frame, the matte has one small stain at the bottom, and the record label has a small bit of mottling on the upper right. The presentation plate, gold disc, and album miniature are all in Excellent condition.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to acquire a coveted all-original RIAA white matte award for one of the Rolling Stones classic early releases, complete with spectacular presentation to the legendary Keith Richards himself.

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.