This is only a preview. The auction will open on: 10/28/2026 1:00:00 PM
Offered Here: Jimi Hendrix Experience 1968 Smash Hits RIAA Gold Record White Matte Award Presented to Jimi Hendrix
Item Details: This is a monumental artifact of psychedelic rock history, featuring an incredibly rare RIAA authentic white matte gold record award for the Jimi Hendrix Experience legendary compilation album, Smash Hits. Magnifying its historical importance, this coveted award is officially presented to Jimi Hendrix himself, making it a definitive museum-quality piece from the peak of his career. White matte awards issued during the late 1960s are considered the holy grail of music accolades, fiercely pursued by elite collectors due to their strict production numbers and direct ties to music royalty. Housed in its period wood frame with the iconic off-white linen matte presentation, this historic display measures approximately 17 3/4 x 21 3/4 inches and honors one of the most influential guitarists and musical innovators of all time.
Smash Hits gathered the early singles and key album tracks of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, including "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe" and "The Wind Cries Mary," and was first issued in the UK in 1968 before its American release on Reprise in 1969. Formed in London in 1966 with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the trio recorded three studio albums in under two years and changed the vocabulary of the electric guitar through Hendrix's use of feedback, distortion and studio experimentation. Hendrix was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and his recordings remain a reference point for guitarists across rock, blues, funk and beyond.
Condition: The item is presented in very good condition, showing honest and common signs of wear, aging, and storage that validate its vintage authenticity. The original wood frame exhibits minor bumps and marks accumulated over decades of preservation. Additionally, the top corner of the wood frame has slightly separated at one side, which is typical for a period display of this age and can be left as-is to preserve its original state or easily addressed by a professional restorer.
SKU: KPC8029