Harsh Reality Heaven & Hell UK LP First Press Philips SBL7891 Heavy Psych VG-

	£		100
	$		133

I have several rare collectible first pressings for auction this week, including all three Nick Drake albums and both Clive Palmer C.O.B albums. Please be sure to look at my other items. All start at 99p with NO reserve. Please await invoice BEFORE you pay. Shipping rates include insurance (see the bottom of this listing). Combined shipping rates are always offered.

Harsh Reality – Heaven & Hell was issued in the UK in 1969 on Philips SBL 7891. This is a first pressing. In fact it is believed to be the only original pressing, although there have been one or two limited repressings in more recent times. A mega  rarity, though this copy isn’t in the greatest condition! Matrices: 844239 1Y//1 420 1 1 / 844239 2Y//1 420 1 1.

It was the band’s only album and has rightly come to be known as one of the great lost heavy psych classics. Harsh Reality were a proto-prog band formed in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK in 1968. They released a single for Philips Records in 1968 ("Tobacco Ash Sunday" / "How Do You Feel") before releasing their only album, Heaven and Hell, early in 1969. A final single followed soon after, before the band, totally ignored, split later in 1969.

Tracks:  

Side 1

1.   When I Move

2.   Tobacco Ash Sunday

3.   Mary Roberta (Part I)

4.   Praying For Reprieve

5.   How Do You Feel

6.   Heaven And Hell

Side 2

1.   Quickenut

2.   Devil's Daughter

3.   Mary Roberta (Part II)

4.   Melancholy Lady

5.   Don't Shoot Me Down

6.   Girl Of My Dreams

7.   Mary Roberta (Part III)

Musicians:

Alan Greed: Organ, Piano, Lead Vocals

Mark Griffiths: Guitar, Trumpet, Vocals

Dave Jenkins: Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals

Steve Miller: Bass Guitar

Roger Swallow: Drums

Produced by Fritz Fryer

The laminated gatefold sleeve, which is manufactured from rather flimsy, lightweight card, is in Very Good minus condition overall. It would have graded much higher but for the fact that the fact that the bottom right of the front has been sliced through the laminate, probably with a razor blade, at some point in the past. The area of damage stretches from the bottom right of the front sleeve upwards to about halfway towards the top. My photo shows the extent of this as clearly as possible. The damage has been repaired for the most part reasonably satisfactorily but there remains a very small section missing at the bottom (as can be seen in the photo). Other than this there is a 2 inch split in both the top and bottom edges of the rear gatefold. The bottom edges are also rather worn, the top edges much less so. There are a couple of creases in the laminate across the spine, although the spine is still strong and square with the spine text perfectly legible. There is very gentle wear to the opening edge. Despite this the rear and inner gatefolds are still in very nice condition, as, indeed, is the front of the sleeve (excepting the vandalised area described above). 

The vinyl is also in Very Good minus condition. It plays through from beginning to end with absolutely no sticks or jumps and no distortion whatsoever. Inspection of the playing surfaces reveals several scuffs, marks and fine hairlines and these imperfections reveal themselves on playback with plenty of clicks and crackle in the gaps between the tracks and in the quieter sections of the music, most notably the three quiet acoustic Mary Roberta pieces.  

Still a pretty decent listen overall. This remains a serviceable copy of an extremely rare record which will suffice until a better affordable copy comes along.

I am not a dealer but a serious collector. All my records come from my private collection. Please read my ME page for details of my philosophy on descriptions and gradings. I absolutely guarantee my gradings as played through my system. All my records are cleaned on a Moth Mk II RCM and play-graded in their entirety on a Rega Planar 3 turntable with RB300 tonearm and Denon DL-304 MC cartridge tracking at 1.5 g through an azur 840a amp via Chord Odyssey 4 bi-wired cable into KEF Q900 speakers. Inferior component-type turntables without proper tracking are more prone to sticking and jumping than high-grade turntables. If you love vinyl, do yourself a favour and invest in a decent system if you don't already own one. You don't have to pay thousands. Excellent quality 2nd hand turntables are available on eBay for around £100 (about the price of 1 rare LP). Your investment will be more than rewarded by the additional listening pleasure you derive.

BUT if, unexpectedly, you are unhappy for any reason, please get in touch.

Grading :

M = Mint - as new

NM = Near Mint - very few, light signs of usage that don’t affect play - the cover has only minor signs of wear.

EX = Excellent - some signs of usage, but very little lessening in sound quality – the cover might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VG = Very Good - no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch - normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

G = Good - the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches - the cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

+ and - are used as appropriate.

Payment

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end. PAYPAL is welcomed. In the UK cheques or direct credit into my bank account (please ask for the account details) are also fine. 

Non-paying bidders will be reported to eBay.

Shipping Policy :

If not still sealed, records are taken out of the sleeve to avoid splitting. They are posted in professional mailers with proper stiffeners for extra protection. These are pre-used and so are provided free of charge. A polythene sleeve is also always included. 

Postage / Shipping Charges

The following rates insure all packages up to a value of either £250 or £500, dependent upon destination. Additional insurance may be available for a higher fee.

UK 

1 LP                     £7.35

2 – 3 LPs            £8.65

Europe

1LP      £13.60

2LPs    £15.30

3LPs    £16.60

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / Rest of the World (ROW)

1LP      £16.55

2LPs    £19.45

3LPs    £22.30