The HK House of Peers and Harmony Kingdom offered you the opportunity to win a prototype of Babbling Heights. At the same time you assist NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill), a grass roots organization dedicated to eradicating mental illness and improving the quality of life for those affected by these diseases.

Babbling Heights Prototype

Babbling Heights was created in England by Harmony Kingdom artist Mark Ricketts. It was released in 2002 as the fourth in HK's Biblical Series as a limited edition of only 750.

The piece depicts the construction of the Tower of Babel. As described in the book of Genesis, men intended to build the tower high enough to reach heaven, a project made possible because everyone spoke the same language. The project was brought to an end when God created many other languages and scattered the people.
 

It looks like the three workmen on the front of the piece have just experienced this phenomenon - one can't believe the words that came out of his mouth, another isn't sure he heard his friend correctly, and the third isn't having much luck making himself understood on his cell phone!
	Inside the lower level is a spiral ramp leading towards heaven.

On the second level are the three famous monkeys, Hear No Evil, See No Evil, and Speak No Evil, along with a few more workmen. Inside the second level is a man climbing the ladder towards the Pearly Gates, only to find his way blocked by an angel.

The top level shows the part of the tower that was under construction at the time of the event - and presumably the being responsible for the event!

 
This Babbling Heights prototype has several differences from the piece that was issued:

• The coloring is slightly different - several animals on the second level are painted that have been left unpainted on the issue version, and the colors on the prototype are generally stronger.
• The clouds on the back of the second level were altered—flattened out—to make the pieces fit together better.
• The base is marked Tower of Babel #001.
• The prototype is not signed, and does not have a year of production stamp.
   

Babbling Heights Prototype
 

Babbling Heights Prototype Base
 

This auction was held on

and ended January 26, 2003
raising $421.09 for NAMI
 

Harmony Kingdom - Babbling Heights Prototype

 
eBay Auction was a charity auction sponsored by the HK House of Peers to benefit NAMI.

NAMI is the nation's leading grassroots organization solely dedicated to improving the lives of persons with severe mental illnesses (major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders). Their efforts focus on support to persons with serious mental illnesses and to their families. They advocate non-discriminatory and equitable federal and state policies; increased research funding into the causes, symptoms, and treatments for mental illness; and education to eliminate the pervasive stigma toward severe mental illness. Through advocacy and education, NAMI translates biomedical research advances into effective treatment and services for individuals with serious mental illness.
 

Thank You!   'frances166'