Thanks Brett - now were all intrigued!

Richard

R_B_C & Andrew: I am having a smaller deluxe ball sample made as I write. Initially I only intended to offer my deluxe 1-1/8" balls, as three balls nest between my cups in the attic space and I intended to only offer these to purchasers of my cups. However, I may put smaller balls out once I see how they turn out. It will be a few months before I know the results.
Combo sets have been requested often, but I still do not have this option available - yet. I hope to offer these within 2006, but several difficult changes must take place in my production agreements. For now the combo cups are made seperately and the copper sets are made only in sets of three - sorry. These are predetermined prices. I hope to alter and expand this ASAP, but these things take time. Thanks for the interest.

Brett, Thanks for taking the long view of your cups product line.

Many thanks for the update. I'd definitely buy a plain copper combo set when they become available - maybe at FISM? (Hint, hint).

Three 1-1/8" balls nest in the attic space? Terrific! I have a set of the gold thread covered balls that were made for Dai Vernon in the 70's (a gift from Lennart Green who owns the only other complete set I've seen) and they are great - but no way will they'll nest in my JESmagic cups...

Cannot wait for the wand!!!!!!

When it comes to the color of the balls, contrast is one thing, but visibility is another. That's why white is the best.

Take a white ball and a red ball. In front of a mirror, do a pass with each one. Which looks the best? You'll see that the white ball stands out more than the red and can be seen at the greatest distance.

I think, at least according Jeff McBride, that the order of visibily, from most to least, is white, yellow (which I haven't seen mentioned, maybe because they are not available?) and red.

The visibility depends on the background, of course.

If the balls are showing up against a dark background, white or yellow would be the best. Yellow against black is actually more visible than white against black.

Jim Riser made the suggestion of considering the close-up mat. That's important as well.

When I was selling the Laurie Ireland Commemorative Copper Cups, I sold them with a gray close-up mat, because all of the colors of balls I had showed up well against gray.

I think the contrast with one's hand is also important. There are some routines (Mendoza) where there are no passes, but most routines have at least one sequence of the vanishing of the balls, and I think white shows up best against flesh (white, black or yellow).

How far from your audience are you planning to perform this?

Red shows up extremely well against most hands. I don't like black because it is a bit somber looking, but the old-timers used blackened cork balls. They were very easy to manipulate because of their weight.

The color is very important, to be sure, but getting down to brass tacks and working on the presentation is more important than anything else.

Bob Read used to perform this at all sorts of functions with three borrowed teacups and balls made from bread.

I know, I obsess over these minor details.

Here are the jad/copper pics for all to see ...on cup and alone on the close-up pad:
http://my.en.com/~mobius/_private/Jade_Gold_copper0003a.jpg
http://my.en.com/~mobius/_private/Jade_Gold_copper0002aa.jpg

Here are some of my own photos of my new Deluxe Jade Green/Gold balls. They have a solid rubber core, not cork, and handle really well. If you are interested please visit http://www.SherwoodMagic.com and click on the Deluxe Ball Button.

http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id=d01......p;size=l

http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id=d01......p;size=l

http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id=d01......p;size=l

http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id=d01......p;size=l

Thanks.
Brett Sherwood