An  original RIAA ‘white matte’ Gold Record Award for Bob Dylan’s 1975 masterpiece Blood on the Tracks, presented to the record industry trade publication Billboard.

This award was obtained from the estate of Bill Wardlow (1921-2001,) the late chart editor and associate publisher of Billboard.  It is completely original and unrestored, never opened or repaired in any way.  ‘White matte” awards are the most sought after of all record awards, and were made in small numbers.  Most offered online or at auction are either modern fakes, or restored with non-original parts.  The linen mattes & frames on original awards are often in poor condition, and sellers often replace original frames, mattes, plates, glass and discs, which for sophisticated collectors ruins the value.

This award is in excellent condition; there is some light scratching to the frame, as is almost always the case, and the disc label has a small circle of wear, likely from it being adhered to the metal disc.  There is a light bit of fogging to the back of the glass, which happens with original awards.  The original backing paper is intact, with a few very small tears, and the New York Frame & Picture Co. label is present.

A beautiful example of a very rare ‘white matte’ award.  With Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

17 1/2″ x 21 1/2″