On View
Musical Crossroads Gallery
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
Issued by
RCA Records, founded 1901
Owned by
Prince, American, 1958 - 2016
Date
1983
Medium
plastic, glass, paper, metal, and wood
Dimensions
H x W x D: 21 × 17 × 1 1/8 in. (53.3 × 43.2 × 2.9 cm)
Description
A framed award commemorating the sale of over one (1) million copies of the album “1999” by Prince from the Recording Industry Association of America. The award features a platinum record album with the “1999” center label attached. The label depicts Prince’s proper left eye and eyebrow, with the spindle hole in the center of the iris. Affixed at the bottom of the record is one half of a cassette tape, also covered in platinum. In the label area of the cassette a plaque is attached that is engraved with the text: “PLATINUM SALES AWARD”. Below the cassette tape is a silver plaque divided into thirds. On the left side of the plaque is a small image of the “1999” album cover. In the middle section the plaque is engraved with text that reads: “PRESENTED TO / PRINCE / TO COMMEMORATE THE SALE OF MORE THAN / 1,000,000 COPIES OF THE / WARNER BROS. RECORDS / ALBUM, CASSETTE AND C.D. / ‘1999’”. On the right side of the plaque is a holographic sticker that reads “RIAA / CERTIFIED SALES AWARD”. The album, cassette, and plaque are mounted on dark blue paper, which is covered with black matting board so that only a thin frame of the blue paper is visible as an outline around the items. The wood frame is covered in black vinyl on the left, right and top edges. The verso is covered in brown paper and a metal self-leveling sawtooth picture hanger is stapled at the center top of the frame.
Place made
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
multimedia works
Topic
Musicians
Rock and roll (Music)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2014.97.8
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58f6cc1d1-e391-4891-830a-abdce51903ac

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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