Gold Record Plaque Appraisal

Elton John Band 'Philadelphia Freedom' 1 Million Records Sold Plaque (WESL)

This item is a commemorative music plaque, recognizing the sale of one million records for 'Philadelphia Freedom' by The Elton John Band, specifically presented to WESL. The plaque is constructed primarily of a rectangular wooden board with a medium-to-dark brown wood grain finish, possibly a laminate or veneer over a composite base due to its relatively smooth and consistent appearance. The approximate dimensions appear to be around 12 to 14 inches in height and 8 to 10 inches in width. At the top half of the plaque, a color photograph featuring 'The Elton John Band' is mounted. The photo depicts Elton John centrally with four other band members. This photo is edged with a thin black border, followed by a wider gold-colored border, which in turn is surrounded by a thin black line before meeting the wood. Below the photo, a gold-toned metallic plate is affixed. This plate bears the engraved text 'REPRESENTING', '1 MILLION RECORDS SOLD', followed by 'Thanks For Your Help' in a smaller, cursive-like font, and then 'WESL' in a larger, block font. The edges of the wooden plaque exhibit some minor wear, consistent with handling and age, including a few small scuffs or indentations along the perimeter. The photographic element shows some slight creasing or lifting around the edges, particularly visible near the top left corner. The metallic plate appears to be in good condition with clear engraving. The plaque likely dates to the mid-1970s, coinciding with the release and success of the 'Philadelphia Freedom' single in 1975. This piece represents a significant achievement in music sales and is a unique artifact associated with a legendary artist and a specific radio station or music entity (WESL), making it a collectible piece of music industry memorabilia.