|
|
gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
A cold draft lightly on the nips of my ears.
When I turn around,.. the warmth of sunshine. Old-man-Winter is starting to play his games. He's in the neighborhood, ...after a loooong summer vacation. A few years on the Streets, you become 'friends'. In summer's heat, I use him, as 'an excuse' (🙂), to search old book shops,.. for 'winter relief'. Good books. This past, I've found some promise! One: 'Twenty Years of Spoof and Bluff' by Carlton (The Human Saftey-pin) {1920} Great book,... altho it isn't REALLY winter,...yet. (😕) Whenever I feel a bit chilly, I grab it. Swear,..to only ONE page. ,,.then read three(!). Here's a taste: (pages 5 & 6) As a preliminary I went and begged the lid of a cheese-box from a near-by shop. This I covered with a bit of old cloth my mother gave me, and trimmed it round with a yard or so of penny-threefarthing ball fringe. Next I set my transmogrified cheese-box lid on top of three thin bamboo canes, arranged tripod-wise, and behold I was in possession of quite a pretty little table, such as street conjures affect. Next I procured a rabbit, all conjurors had to have a rabbit in those days, ...and some balls and tins for what is called the cup-and-ball trick, together with a pack of cards, and a few other simple paraphernalia, not forgetting half-a-dozen pennies,...in conjuring parlance "a pile of megs",... for palming and working disapearing coin tricks. Thus equipped I set out. I had been told that Southend was the best place to go to, and as I had no money to pay my fare I had to walk there, carrying my poor little 'props' with me. It was weary work. The long dusty road seemed endless. .... Eventually I reached Southend, hungery, thirsty, and footsore. Also I was penniless, having been forced to part with my six coppers in order to keep myself in food on the road, thereby spoiling my best tricks. 😆 🙃 😕 🙂 ,...i won't mention his 'eating of the rabbit'(!). It's a great read! After 'finding' the book, in Poland, I researched, and found it, as a 'free' pdf, as well. I recommend 'the smell of a book', ...but if you can't track it down,,.,. https://archive.org/details/twentyyearsofspo00carl/page/n9 With the right books, ,..Winters can be our friend! Have a pleasent evening, gallagher |
Nala Nosmoht Special user Surrey,B.C. Canada, 641 Posts |
… very nice post young fella'!
|
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
What a good find. Thank you. I think this will be a fascinating read.
Carlton is credited with being the inventor of the Sliding Die Box amongst other items.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
|
keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
This is amazing! I actually live in Southend. I don't visit the Magic Café that often these days but felt compelled this morning (I've had a little bit of bad luck recently) as I needed a bit of inspiration - and this is what I find! After completing Mario Morris' busking school I have done a small amount of busking in London and Southend. I make my living doing children's parties but I have often found myself longing for a more... free? nomadic? footloose and fancy free? lifestyle. But I have found it hard going. Especially with an ex-wife and 2 children to support. Busking, I have discovered, is tough. Children's parties are also tough but I've been doing them for 20 years so I now can rattle them off without too much thought. Last week (half term here in the UK) I actually did 44 x 25 minute magic shows at an historic Norman Castle over 6 days. But busking requires a whole different set of skills.
Thank you for this. I believe it is the inspiration I was meant to find. Mark |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The side walk shuffle » » 'Twenty Years of Spoof and Bluff' by Carlton (2 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |