Atlantic singles centerpiece

[Ed Zeppelin <grab1196@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Those with sharp eyes or collections of Atlantic Records singles will
notice that there is an odd symbol used in the center of these 7"
pressings. The symbol can be seen a few times during the Legends
documentary, as a few of Zeppelin's singles are displayed. 
 Those of you who are Black Crowes fans will also notice that this very
symbol is the symbol used (slightly stylized) as the album cover for 'Three
Snakes and One Charm.' In fact, American records (now defunct) gave out
small plastic "charms" in the shape of this symbol as promotional items,
which were nearly exact replicas of the Atlantic records single centerpieces.
 My question is, what is this symbol? Where did it come from? Why did
Atlantic use it? The Crowes aren't on Atlantic, so I have no idea why they
used it as their album cover. Symbologists? Former Atlantic flunkies?
Croweheads? Anyone? :-)

 I'm a roadrunner, baby,
 Ed Zeppelin