This is the first of a three post, closer look, at authentic details of RIAA 45 white mattes.
Look closely at the outline of the matte around the disc and plate of this Rolling Stones award. The yellow-ish you see is the edge of the matte which was exposed when it was hand cut. The award manufacturer, New York Frame and Picture, used hand-cut white mattes until sometime in 1967. After that they changed to die cut mattes.
These early mattes were thicker, had looser weaves and a slightly beige color. The die cut mattes that followed were whiter with tighter weaving and the exposed edge was thinner.
The Rolling Stones released “Ruby Tuesday” in January of 1967 and it reached a peak chart position of #1. It became their second RIAA certified gold single on May 1, 1967, surprisingly two years after their first RIAA gold 45 for “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” (certified July 19, 1965).
Brian Jones was a founding member of the Rolling Stones who died tragically on July 3, 1969. I don’t have provenance that this was actually his award, but none the less, it is a rare artist presentation.
The backing paper and sticker are original with some slight repair. 
New York Frame & Picture was the only RIAA authorized manufacturer of the white matte era. They were located on Fulton Street until 1969 when they moved to John Street. This sticker shows the Fulton Street address which was appropriate for the period of certification, and is another detail of authenticness.
To review other white mattes check here.
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