Marc Bolan (June 1972) Hard On Love Album UK: LP (Test Pressing)
Updated: Oct 3
A rare original Track Records test pressing of Marc Bolan’s unreleased 1972 album Hard On Love, later released in 1974 as The Beginning Of Doves, features previously unheard material and offers a fascinating glimpse into Bolan’s history from John Peel’s personal collection. The album was involved in a 1972 court injunction by Bolan to prevent its release.
RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Marc Bolan
Title: Hard On Love
Date: Recorded 1972
(Unreleased at the time)
Label: Track Records (Test Pressing) Format / Type: LP Vinyl Album (Test Pressing)
Country: United Kingdom Catalogue: 2406 101
TRACK LIST
Side A
Jasper C. Debussy
Lunacy's Back
Beyond The Rising Sun
Black And White Incident
Observations
Eastern Spell
You Got The Power
Hippy Gumbo
Sara Crazy Child
Rings Of Fortune
Side B
Hot Rod Momma
The Beginning Of Doves
Mustang Ford
Pictures Of Purple People
One Inch Rock
Jasmine '49
Charlie
Misty Mist
Cat Black
Sally Was An Angel
THE STORY
This test pressing represents Marc Bolan’s unreleased 1972 album Hard On Love. Bolan placed an injunction preventing its release at the time, feeling the material did not represent him at the time (1972).
The material was later issued in 1974 as The Beginning Of Doves. This copy comes from John Peel’s personal collection, with his archive number on the sleeve.
CONTEXT & NOTES
The test pressing is a significant historical artifact, especially with its connection to John Peel’s archive. The 2025 auction context highlights its rarity and condition.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan – vocals, guitar
Various session musicians from the early 1970s T. Rex/Tyrannosaurus Rex era
PRODUCTION
Produced by: Tony Visconti (original sessions)
PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS
Plain white test pressing sleeve with handwritten notes
John Peel’s archive number (4048) on the corner
WHAT THE SLEEVE SHOWS
The front of the plain white test pressing sleeve has “Hard On Love” handwritten in the top left corner and John Peel’s archive number “4048” written in the top right. The vinyl is a standard test pressing with plain white labels and matrix numbers. The overall presentation is typical of 1970s test pressings with minimal markings.
RELATED MATERIAL
See tags at foot of page.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Track Records archives, Omega Auction UK records sold for Sold for £3,200
All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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