“I would like to thank God because She makes everything possible”
– Helen Reddy, 1973 acceptance speech for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Helen Reddy’s single “I am Women” was released in December 31, 1969 and certified gold on December 18, 1972. It reached a peak chart position of #1 and became the anthem of the women’s rights movement.
This awards is an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State RIAA “White Matte”, with condition issues. The faded label probably came from display in a sunny conference room. Of more concern, the presentation plate has slipped off the masking tape that originally held it to the matte, due to the tape loosing its stickiness over years of display and storage (this award is nearly forty years old). For those of you with similar issues, I’ve included repair tips at the bottom of this post.
Jeff Wald was Helen’s husband and then manager. His influence, both positive and negative, has been widely discussed. They divorced in 1983.
The backing paper and New York Fame & Picture sticker are original, and the award is unopened.
Repair Tips: If one wanted to attach the plate back to the matte, here’s what I recommend. First clear a well lit surface and put a soft towel underneath the award. Then, with an eye to always keeping the original parts, use a razor blade to carefully cut the backing paper along the inside edge of the frame on three sides. Then lift the paper and gently fold it back over the non-cut side. That will expose the small nails that are holding the matte to the frame. Use pliers to gently take out the nails and then take the matte out (save the nails to re-install). Cut the old masking tape that had failed and install new masking tape in the same pattern. Straighten and stick the plate on the new masking tape, then reinstall the matte with the original nails using a small hammer.
While you are reassembling keep the award clean of any dust or particles that can occur during repair. When it’s all together, put the backing paper back down and seal with a transparent archival tape. Though the decision to repair an award may or may not be clear, keeping the original parts is always of value.
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To evaluate the authenticness and condition of any award it’s best to hold it in your hands, if that is not possible, photos of the front, plate and back are most useful.
