Unique, historic and in great condition, this is a 1972 "gold" label award (i.e. non-RIAA) made by Disc Award Ltd. celebrating Elton John's Honky Chateau album selling over 500,000 copies. The album contained classic Elton anthems "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long, Long Time)" and "Honky Cat" among others. The album went to #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart (the first of seven consecutive U.S. #1's for Sir Elton) and #2 on the UK chart. The release was actually certified Gold by the RIAA on July 24, 1972, and later went Platinum.

A close inspection of its components shows it to be all original, including having the correct post-1967 Disc Award Ltd. logo engraved on the gold disc, typical engraved plate, black felt matte, and the correct Uni Records label. 

Item Highlights:

• Disc Award Ltd. record label in-house gold record award for 500,000 sales of Elton John's Honky Chateau album
• Note: Not an RIAA award, although Disc Award Ltd. awards are typically seen as the most valuable of in-house awards
• Components, construction and condition are correct with it being 49 years old
• Plate reads: "Presented to Beta Record Dist Inc. in appreciation from Uni Records" to commemorate the sale of more than 500,000 copies
• In Very Good condition with brilliantly shiny gold record and bright, crisp label (there is slight lifting on the left side of the label), some typical scratches and mars on the on the frame but with excellent and very little fading of the black velvet matte
• Award measures 15.5" x 15.5"
• Great, historic collectors item for any Elton John fan

This award is in Very Good condition, despite its 49-year age. Although it has the usual nicks and mars on the frame (nothing major) it was obviously kept in a cool, dry place devoid of sunlight for most of its' years, resulting in very little fading of the matte and label and no tarnishing of the gold record.

Notes on the condition of all vintage record awards like this one: Please do not buy this item if you want a brand new piece of memorabilia. These are historical artifacts from the year they were produced. As a result they may show signs of wear. Frankly, if you see a 20 to 50-year-old award purported to be in 100% perfect condition, it might be too good to be true. After all, an antique should have "good' wear. If not, you might want to question the piece.

As to where they came from, they could have been displayed in record label offices, recording studios, artist manager's offices, radio stations, private collector's homes and yes, of course, possibly the artist's or songwriter's home. Typically, we don't know all the places they may have been over the years other than what we've stated in the description.