The Comprehensive Guide To Merit Adventures Catalogs
By Robert Musco
For collectors of Led Zeppelin memorabilia Rick Barrett’s Merit Adventures tabloid catalogs provided an outlet for many years for fans to purchase unique collectibles and rare items. Rick started creating catalogs in 1979 and ended the process in 2000. During that timeframe (and still today) Rick has brought to light, some amazing pieces, from promotional displays, autographed albums, to personal items once owned by members of the band, the list is quite extensive. For collecting reference purposes I’m attempting to compile a guide of the catalogs that Rick provided to his mailing list. By viewing the catalogs a collector can check out some interesting items. Rick Barrett still deals in Led Zeppelin collectibles and is on Facebook as well as Ebay
If anyone has a catalog that I do not have an image of (catalog numbers 120 & 133) and can provide an image of either issue to use for this list please email me at SemsFir@cox.net If anyone has a copy of the two catalogs listed above that they are willing to sell please let me know.
PLEASE NOTE: This list is far from complete. The earliest catalog I have in my possession for Led Zeppelin memorabilia exclusively is dated from 1985, and information will be updated as more is compiled. Rick sent six catalogs a year (not including supplements) and I am researching to determine what year each catalog was released. In addition, prior to catalog 118 Rick Barrett did not number the catalogs. I assigned a number to the previous catalogs just as a starting reference point. When more information is obtained I will update the catalog numbers accordingly. In addition, I have several other items that still need to be added to the list, but the items are minor little additions such as business cards for example. These items will be added at a future date.
Catalog 101 (First Catalog):
Items of interest include bootleg lp’s, original lp pressings, promotional copy lp’s, Led Zeppelin Fillmore 1969 acetates, reproduction of “The Object”, 1977 U.S. tour program, autographed Led Zeppelin IV album cover, autographs, Presence hanging mobile display
Catalog (Front)
Catalog (Back)
Catalog 102:
Items of interest include In Through The Out Door display, Presence display, Physical Graffiti window display, Houses of the Holy autographed album, autographs, reproduction of “The Object”, Led Zeppelin Fillmore 1969 acetate, bootleg lp’s
Catalog 103:
Items of interest include autographs, original (in unopened box) and reproduction “The Object”, Coda platinum award, In Through The Out Door promotional shirt, 1977 U.S. tour shirts, Non Stop Go security sweatshirt, Honeydrippers jacket
Catalog 104:
Items of interest include In Through The Out Door display, Presence display, Houses of the Holy autographed album, autographs, In Through The Out Door promotional shirt, 1977 security sweatshirt from July 23rd & 24th Oakland Stadium concerts, Coda promotional jacket, original (in unopened box) and reproduction “The Object”, bootleg lp’s, Moby Dick (Fillmore 1969) acetate, The Can
Catalog 105:
Items of interest include original (in unopened box) and reproduction “The Object”, bootleg acetates from Japan, bootleg lp’s, Knebworth program, Kenneth Anger’s Lucifer Rising soundtrack lp
Catalog 106:
Items of interest include record industry awards, The Song Remains The Same world premiere movie tickets, Knebworth program, 1977 U.S. tour program, Earl’s Court program,
109 Flyer (Front):
109 Flyer (Back):
Catalog 110:
Items of interest inclue original (in unopened box) and reproduction “The Object”, Led Zeppelin autographed albums, record industry awards, In Through The Out Door display, Physical Graffiti window display, Houses of the Holy hanging mobile, Knebworth program, 1975 U.S. tour program
Mailer 111:
Catalog 114:
Catalog 114 (Supplement One Of A Kind Items):
Mailer 116:
Catalog 117:
Items of interest include shirt and scarf worn by Robert Plant, The Song Remains The Same gold record award, Honeydrippers platinum record award, autographed Presence lp, original (in unopened box) and reproduction “The Object”
Catalog 118:
Items of interest include original (in unopened box) “The Object”, Shaken ‘n Stirred printer’s proofs
Catalog 119:
Items of interest include gold and platinum record awards, original (in unopened box) and reproduction “The Object”, Led Zeppelin autographed albums, Led Zeppelin box set inflatable blimp, Shaken ‘n Stirred printer’s proof, 1980 tour bag, Non Stop Go sweatshirt, previous Merit Adventures collector’s catalogs
Catalog 119 (Supplement One Of A Kind Items):
Catalog 120:
Image Not Available
Mailer 120:
CATALOG NUMBERS ZEP 121 TO 126 (were all released in 1993)
Catalog 121:
Items of interest include Russian Led Zeppelin records, Shaken ‘n Stirred printer’s proof, Now and Zen printer’s proof, Led Zeppelin III inflatable blimp, Houses of the Holy hanging mobiles, Presence counter standup, In Through The Out Door counter display, 1969 Bath Blues Festival program, 1972 Japan tour program, The Song Remains The Same movie program, 1979 Knebworth program, Led Zeppelin I Press kit, unused April 1969 Winterland / Fillmore tickets, 1970 Union Jack Houston concert flyer, 1980 European tour flyer from Germany, Honeydrippers Platinum record award, In Through The Out Door promotional shirt, Knebworth concert shirt
Catalog 122:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin unreleased album cover, original (in unopened box) and reproduction “The Object”, 1969 Texas International Pop Festival program, 1969 tour program by Visual Thing, Ampex 4-tune cassette, Led Zeppelin IV promotional poster, 1980 world tour scarf
Catalog 123:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin Brazilian box set, 1969 tour program by Visual Thing, 1969 Texas International Pop Festival program, The Song Remains The Same movie program, 1979 Knebworth program
Catalog 124:
Items of interest include original and reproduction “The Object”, record industry awards, box set inflatable blimp, Led Zeppelin autographed albums
Postcard (Front):
Postcard (Back):
Catalog 125:
Items of interest include Coverdale / Page compact disc award, Led Zeppelin III inflatable blimp, Japanese Remasters inflatable blimp, Physical Graffiti promotional window, The Song Remains The Same movie program, In Through The Out Door promotional shirt, Knebworth concert shirt
Catalog 126:
CATALOG NUMBERS ZEP 127 TO 132 (were all released in 1994):
Catalog 127:
Items of interest include Through the Mirror commemorative box set
Catalog 128:
Items of interest include Coverdale / Page program, Coverdale / Page t-shirt, Coverdale / Page compact disc award, Fate of Nations cd award
Postcard 128 (Front):
Postcard 128 (Back):
Catalog 129:
Items of interest include autographed In Through The Out Door brown paper bag (outer sleeve), gold and platinum record awards, long box cd’s, Jimmy Page articles of clothing, original and reproduction “The Objects”, autographs, Led Zeppelin box set inflatable blimp, previous Merit Adventures collector’s catalogs, 1980 tour bag, Non Stop Go sweatshirt
Catalog 130:
Items of interest include autographed Led Zeppelin I album cover, Led Zeppelin I Ampex 4-track, various rare lp’s, various rare 45’s
Catalog 131:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin BBC award, 1980 German tour flyer, 1980 tour bag, Coverdale / Page 1993 Japanese tour shirt, 1970 Bath Festival of Blues & Progressive Music program, Earl’s Court program, Knebworth program, Led Zeppelin III inflatable blimps, In Through The Out Door display, Physical Graffiti promotional window
Mailer:
Catalog 132:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin Blimp / Box set
CATALOG NUMBERS ZEP 134 TO 139 (were all released in 1995):
Catalog 133:
Image Not Available
Catalog 134:
Items of interest include record industry awards, Shaken ‘n Stirred printer’s proof
Catalog 135:
Items of interest include No Quarter platinum cd / cassette award, Remasters printer’s proof, Led Zeppelin autograph display, rare lp’s
Catalog 136:
Items of interest include No Quarter platinum cd / cassette award, Robert Plant video award for Mumbo Jumbo
Catalog 137:
Items of interest include No Quarter platinum cd / cassette award, various rare 45’s, postcard 45’s
Catalog 138:
Items of interest include 1970 Fort Worth concert flyer, 1969 Tour program, Shaken ‘n Stirred printer’s proof
Catalog 139:
Items of interest include Now and Zen cd award, Shaken ‘n Stirred promotional shirt, Winterland concert poster, Houses of the Holy promotional poster, Tour Over Europe poster, The Song Remains The Same U.K. promotional poster, 1970 Fort Worth concert flyer, In Through The Out Door displays, Led Zeppelin I inflatable blimp, 1975 U.S. Tour program, Swan Song U.S. promotional tile
CATALOG NUMBERS ZEP 140 TO 146 (were all released in 1996):
Catalog 140:
Items of interest include Page & Plant giant 32′ concert venue banner, Led Zeppelin autograph display, gold & platinum record & compact disc awards, set of ten platinum compact disc awards, previous Merit Adventures collector’s catalogs, 1970 Fort Worth concert flyer, 1980 tour bag, long box cd’s, Shaken ‘n Stirred promotional shirt
Catalog 141:
Items of interest include 1970 Swedish concert poster, Page & Plant giant 32′ concert venue banner, Jimmy Page Outrider tour itinerary, The Firm tour itineraries, Swan Song promotional tile, 1980 German tour flyer, Led Zeppelin 1980 tour bag, In Through The Out Door displays, Houses of the Holy reel to reel with cover art
Catalog 142:
Items of interest include a set of 10 Led Zeppelin cd’s in original long box format, Page & Plant giant 32′ concert venue banner, Led Zeppelin II record club editions, Led Zeppelin IV white label test pressing, set of six different In Through The Out Door album lp’s, German four cut ep
Catalog 143:
Items of interest include a set of 10 Led Zeppelin cd’s in original long box format, replica of “The Object”, Physical Graffiti promo window display, record industry awards
Catalog 144:
Items of interest include 1970 Swedish concert poster, No Quarter embroidered tour jacket, rare records such as Led Zeppelin II record club editions, France Led Zeppelin III advance lp, Led Zeppelin IV white lable promo, Trampled Underfoot white label 45 promo, Listen-You Better Run backed with Everybodys Gonna Say
Catalog 145:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin autographed post card, German 4 cut EP, tour programs, Song Remains The Same lobby cards, Fillmore West / Winterland shows handbill, In Through The Out Door display, Japanese inflatable blimp, 1970 Swedish concert poster, Led Zeppelin I promo poster, Led Zeppelin IV promo poster, Tour Over Europe poster
Catalog 146:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin IV Gold Record, Autographed Led Zeppelin I French record, Zepfest ’96 Recap
Catalog 146 (Test your Led Zeppelin IQ):
CATALOG NUMBERS ZEP 147 TO 152 (were all released in 1997):
Catalog 147:
Items of interest include a unique set of ten platinum record awards, gold and platinum record awards
Catalog 148:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin I promo poster, 1970 Swedish concert poster for February 26th, 1970 concert, Japanese promo poster, Led Zeppelin IV promo posters, The Song Remains The Same U.K. promo poster, The Firm 1985 and 1986 Tour Itineraries, Robert Plant-Shakin n’ Stirred printer’s proof, Led Zeppelin reel to reels, rare tour programs, 4-tune Ampex cassette of Led Zeppelin I tracks, Swan Song Records display, In Through The Out Door displays, Japanese inflatable blimp
Catalog 149:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin Knebworth Windbreaker, 1977 Oakland Stadium Crew Sweatshirt, Houses of the Holy gold record award, various Robert Plant promotor’s shirts, Led Zeppelin I promotional poster, Led Zeppelin I mounted display, Physical Graffiti window display, Presence counter display, Led Zeppelin – You Gotta Have Friends dinner program, Knebworth scarf, Tour of Europe duffle bag, The 1980’s Part One duffle bag
Catalog 150:
Items of interest include a rare concert handbill for Led Zeppelin’s April 12th, 1970 concert at the Met Center in Bloomington Minnesota, Listen-You Better Run promo white label 45 backed with Everybodys Gonna Say, Taiwan Houses of the Holy (3 cut picture cover) EP, 1970 Bath Festival of Blues & Progressive Music program, 1969 Led Zeppelin tour program from Visual Thing, 1975 U.S. Tour program, The Song Remains The Same Japanese promo program, 1979 Knebworth bootleg program, 1975 U.S. Tour shirt, Earl’s Court concert shirt, 1977 Showco crew shirts, 1977 Tampa stagehand shirt, 1977 concert tour shirts, Knebworth concert shirt, Tour Over Europe shirt
Catalog 151:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin Over Europe book, previous Merit Adventures collector’s catalogs, Led Zeppelin-You Gotta Have friends Humanitarian dinner program
Catalog 152:
CATALOG NUMBERS ZEP 153 TO 158 (were all released in 1998):
Catalog 153:
Catalog 154:
Items of interest include rare displays and posters
Catalog 155:
Catalog 156:
Items of interest include The Song Remains The Same Japanese movie program, rare tour programs
Catalog 157:
Items of interest include various rare albums, 1977 Tour unused cloth pass, various rare tour programs
Catalog 158:
Items of interest include Showco crew shirts, promotional posters, In Through The Out Door jacket
Catalog 159:
Items of interest include various tour programs such as the 1969 tour program, Australian 1972 program sold at the Perth show, Song Remains The Same movie program, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Dinner program
Catalog 160:
Items of interest include Tour Over Europe sweatshirts, No Quarter embroidered duffle bag, Robert Plant Tuxedo, Whole Lotta Love RIAA Certified 45 white mat award, Houses of the Holy mobile display, Houses of the Holy promo display, Presence hanging mobile, various concert programs, 1969 press kit, Song Remains The Same pressbook, various t-shirts, various rare albums and singles, 1970 concert handbill at the Met Center in Bloomington Minnesota
Catalog 161:
Items of interest include various gold and platinum compact disc awards, Remaster’s printer’s proof
Catalog 162:
Items of interest include 1969 Led Zeppelin tour program, 1971 Japanese tour program, Song Remains The Same movie program, 1979 Knebworth bootleg program, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Dinner program, 1990 Knebworth program, 1970 concert handbill for the Met Center in Bloomington Minnesota, 1975 tour Showco crew shirt, Earl’s Court concert shirt, “Wolco Daze” shirt, 1977 tour Showco crew shirt, various displays
Catalog 163:
Items of interest include 1979 Knebworth concert program, various promo hanging mobiles such as a Presence promo mobile, and various counter displays
Catalog 163 (Supplement):
Items of interest include gold record awards, original Atlanta Pop Festival poster, white label test pressings of various studio albums
Catalog 164:
Items of interest include 1990 Box Set test pressing, 1979 Knebworth concert program, rare programs such as 1969 Royal Albert Hall “Pop Proms” program, 1971 and 1972 Japanese programs, 1972-1973 UK tour program, 1975 U.S. tour program, Carter Lewis & The Southerners with Jimmy Page concert program, original Fillmore West concert posters, inflatable promotional blimps
Catalog 164 (Supplement):
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin I white label pressing, original 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival poster, 1995 No Quarter program mis-print of biographies
CATALOG NUMBERS ZEP 165 TO 168 (were all released in 2000):
Catalog 165:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin IV gold record award, Led Zeppelin autographed display, 1979 Knebworth concert program, concert programs including 1969 tour program by Visual Thing, 1969 Royal Albert Hall “Pop Proms” program, 1971 and 1972 Japanese tour programs 1972-1973 UK tour program, Remasters printer’s proof, inflatable promotional blimps
Catalog 166:
Items of interest include Led Zeppelin III gold record award, 1969 Royal Albert Hall “Pop Proms program, 1971 Japanese tour program, 1972 Japanese tour programs, 1975 Earl’s Court bootleg program, 1979 Knebworth bootleg program, Remasters printer’s proof, Shaken ‘N Stirred promotional shirt
Catalog 166 (Front):
Catalog 166 (Back):
Catalog 167:
Catalog 168 (Last Catalog):
Rick Barrett also had several different graphic style envelopes generated and sent the catalogs packaged in these envelopes
Envelope 1:
Envelope 2:
Envelope 3:
What follows are currently miscellaneous inserts that need to be researched to see which catalog / timeframe they were sent. Once the information has been obtained the inserts will be moved under the appropriate catalog number.
Miscellaneous Insert 1:
Miscellaneous Insert 2 (Front):
Miscellaneous Insert 2 (Back):
Miscellaneous Insert 3 (Front):
Miscellaneous Insert 3 (Back):
Miscellaneous Insert 4 (Front):
Miscellaneous Insert 4 (Back):
Miscellaneous Insert 5:
