The Lovin Spoonful released Summer In The City in July of 1966. It quickly became #1 on Billboard, and was certified gold by the RIAA on 9/19/66. This celebration is an Authentic, First Presentation, Third-State RIAA White Matte.
Buddha Records, a label born out of Kama Sutra Records, was founded in 1967 and remained a key imprint handling a variety of music genres, including bubblegum pop (the Ohio Express and the 1910 Fruitgum Company), folk-rock (Melanie), experimental music (Captain Beefheart), and soul (Gladys Knight & the Pips).
So with a classic title, white matte, and a meaningful presentation plate, why is this a Third-State award? And, how does it affect its value?
First, you see in the pictures below that the backing paper and manufacturer sticker are missing, and the matte resealed with framing tacks, instead of the small nails that were used on First Presentations (and its white matte looks like it’s from a later period). With restoration, using correct format parts, these condition issues could be resolved rendering the award Second-State. The key here, if you’re looking for First-State awards, be aware that once an award is opened, further inspection is needed to ascertain the correctness of all the parts.
As to value, while there are reasons to open an award and clean or restore it for display, doing so reduces its value much like polishing period silver makes it look shinier, but worth less. Not only due to the loss of original “patina” but the growing rarity of un-restored pieces.
I believe an authentic, unopened award is worth more than a restored award. How much? That’s a question to be determined on an award by award basis, between buyer and seller. There is a hierarchy though: First-State is worth more than Second-State, and Second-State is worth more than Third State.
What do you think? How do you value unopened vs. restored awards?
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Thanks for stopping by Honor Music Awards, I hope you find the information and photos helpful with your award collection.
