AC/DC Back in Black Allied pressing ROBERT LUDWIG Masterdisk SD 16018 PLAYS VG++

$

20

The front cover is embossed.
This is the early series of American pressings from the ALLIED RECORD COMPANY pressing plant, and it's definitely the first edition, which was farmed out to different mastering engineers, lacquer-cutters, and pressing plants.
The mastering house is MASTERDISK and it's machine-stamped in the dead-wax on both sides, followed by the initials RL.
AS IS TO BE EXPECTED, this is a
wonderful lacquer-cutting and mastering job
by the living legend himself,
Bob Ludwig, aka Robert Ludwig, who is credited with driving up the cost of early American Led Zeppelin pressings, due to his sought-after mastering skills, and the coveted pressings that he's worked on.

The A-Side dead-wax matrix number etchings and stamps are:
ST-A-804517-A  MASTERDISK (is machine-stamped) RL AL  B-15195-1 Side B:
ST-A-804518-A  MASTERDISK (is machine-stamped) RL AL  B-15196-5-SUB-A
The A side of this record looks / grades and PLAYS "excellent", IE  .
The B side of this record has a barely finger felt scuff across all of HAVE A DRINK AN ME.
It starts in the previous song and extends a bit into the next song.
There's also a slight pressing imperfection (a tiny spot of white-ish vinyl) that plays fine.
Technically speaking, this would be a VG graded side, but sonically it's ALSO VG++ on playback.
The highs are crisp. 
The bass guitar and kick-drum are THERE.
As is the electric guitar playing.
Neither side plays with any noticeable surface noise or distortion.
The aforementioned scuff is audible as a very soft pop in the dead-wax between the 2 adjacent tunes on that side.
The labels are clean.
The jacket is VG, with light shelf-wear, but no obvious ring-wear.
The edges have wear, but no seam-splitting, and of course I'll keep it that way by separating the vinyl when I pack this for mailing.
NO writing, NO corner-cut, no drill hole, no notch-cut. 
NO stickers and NO gold promo stamp.

The innersleeve is STRONG VG+ with no heavy creasing or wear. The bottom has a 3 inch seam-split, the sides each have a 2 inch seam-split, all in the middle of each edge.
Top opening edge has a single short 1/8 inch tear on the credits side.

I grade conservatively based on Goldmine Magazine standards, but I usually mention whether or not a record was play graded.

I've been selling forever on discogs and elsewhere, and I'm reactivating this long-dormant account that I've had from day one here on eBay.

Of course I pack very solidly and carefully, and will usually ship no later than the 3rd business day after payment is received.