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About a year ago, the estate of the late, great audio engineer, musician, and writer Steve Albini began auctioning off his belongings and memorabilia. That project remains ongoing. One new addition to the auction website, known as Steve Albini's Closet, is a gold record Albini received for his work on Nirvana's abrasive post-fame freakout In Utero.
As copy accompanying the item explains, this is not a plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which has certified In Utero as six times platinum in the US. Instead, it comes from Indonesia, and it's the only In Utero souvenir Albini kept in his archives. Its somewhat humorous backstory involves Albini's famously staunch aversion to major labels:
This one has a tangled history, and I am hoping to add more facts as they emerge.
Basic story is that when Steve was sent his RIAA Gold Record Award for In Utero, he returned it to the band's management, as part of his philosophical stance against major labels and how they operate. Later, perhaps at the behest of others, he requested that the award be returned. Alas, it was no longer available, although what exactly happened to it is unclear. In its stead, and presumably as a slap-back of sorts, Steve was sent this INDONESIAN Gold Record Award for In Utero. And that was the sole souvenir of the multi-platinum record in his archives.
So, no, it is not the RIAA version, whose current whereabouts are unknown, but it IS the one Steve had and kept. Now, it could be a key piece for any world-class Nirvana collection out there.
Minimum bid on this item is $5,000, though I'm sure it will sell for far more. As explained here, you can bid on it by emailing auction@stevealbiniscloset.com with NIRVANA in the subject line. The auction runs through Monday, May 3 at 4:30 p.m. ET, so you collectors have two weeks to get your money up.
English (US) · 