Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. RIAA Gold Album Award presented to The Rolling Stones – RARE

RIAA Gold Album Award for Rolling Stones album Exile On Main St. presented to The Rolling Stones. This album was released in May 12, 1972 and quickly certified Gold by the RIAA on May 30, 1972, a certification it remained at until 2000 at which time it was certified Platinum. The award also has printed autographs (not original) of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, and Charlie Watts on the corners of the matte. 

Containing top 10 hit “Tumbling Dice”, along with “Happy”, the rare track featuring Keith Richards on lead vocals, country ballad “Sweet Virginia” and more, the album went to #1 in the U.S., U.K., Canada and more world music territories. In 2012 the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and has been on many top albums lists over the years. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*. 

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Item Highlights:

• RIAA Gold Album Award with printed autographs on the matte
• In VG condition
• Award made in 1990s
• Presented to The Rolling Stones
• Owned by record industry executive
• Provenance letter included
• All original with manufacturer sticker
• Known as a RIAA “R hologram” award they were made from 1990-97
• Award measures 17″ x 21″
• Great rare collector’s item for any Rolling Stones fan
• FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
• International shipping available

Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold Album award would have been made in 1990s (“R hologram” awards were made from 1990-97). It is presented to The Rolling Stones and was given by Atlantic Records, who were distributors of Rolling Stones Records releases at the time, to radio and record executive Lee Abrams. Abrams worked in radio and as a consultant to major record labels and industry companies including Capitol Records, Island Records, XM Radio, MTV and others from the 70s into the 2000s. A notarized letter of provenance from Abrams is included with this award (see image).

It is an unusual award in that it not only sports the printed autographs (not original) in gold ink of Jagger, Richards, Wood, and Watts on the corners of the matte but it was also constructed with no plexiglass front, presumably to allow better viewing of the autographs and details of the award.

The award is approx. 30 years old and is in Very Good condition, but due to it not having a plexiglass front, there are some very minor mars and imperfections on the record, presentation plate and matte so please examine the photos carefully on the frame to assess. The backing board is original and unopened with its’ original Ill Eagle Enterprises sticker. 

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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.

Finally, a word on photos: Our photos are zoomable so you can get a very good look. Do let us know if you want photos of any other details on our pieces and we’ll be happy to provide.

*RIAA sales data source: RIAA.com