Marc Bolan (June 1972 / 2025) Hard On Love LP (Original Unreleased Track Test Pressing)

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

1. Jasper C. Debussy

2. Lunacy's Back

3. Beyond The Rising Sun

4. Black And White Incident

5. Observations

6. Eastern Spell

7. You Got The Power

8. Hippy Gumbo

9. Sara Crazy Child

10. Rings Of Fortune

Side B

1. Hot Rod Momma

2. The Beginning Of Doves

3. Mustang Ford

4. Pictures Of Purple People

5. One Inch Rock

6. Jasmine '49

7. Charlie

8. Misty Mist

9. Cat Black

10. 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.