Who “Meaty, Beaty Big and Bouncy” 1972 Gold RIAA White Matte Record Award

The story of the plate…

Anchoring the lower right section of all white mattes (except from approximately February 1969 to August 1969, when the mini was reversed to the right), the plate was made of brass with a surface either shiny or brushed. In 1973 it was a brushed plate like the one you see above. The plate was inscribed with an acid etched RIAA logo on the right, and three engraved sections that were then filled in with the following information…

PRESENTED TO

• The person or organization who was awarded the gold record. Here, PETER RUDGE who had a long and distinguished career in artist management, working with legendary names such as The Rolling Stones, Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Lynyrd Skynyrd, Duran Duran and The Who.

TO COMMEMORATE THE SALE OF MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF THE (As I remember albums cost three to four dollars, and so a gold certification reflected maybe 300,000 units shipped)

• Here they inserted the name of the record label. In this case DECCA RECORDS.

LONG PLAYING RECORD ALBUM (albums were the vast majority of sales at the time – 4 tracks had ended and cassettes just beginning)

• “MEATY, BEATY BIG, AND BOUNCY” was released in November 1971. It entered the US Billboard 200 chart the same month, peaking at #11, and the UK chart on December 3, 1971, peaking at #9.   It was certified by the RIAA as Gold on January 17, 1972.

This is an Authentic ( made to give to someone who participated in the successful creation and sale of music, by an authorized award manufacturer), First Presentation (correct in parts and format for the date of certification), and First-State (an authentic award which is unopened (the original backing paper still in place).

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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 full front, plate and back are most useful.