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mgcpwrs New user San Jose, CA 53 Posts |
Hi All,
Here is my second cups and balls question. I looked in the search, found some more great info, but not a real answer. Do you use your nice cups, particularly if they are 'collectable or somewhat rare'? Does not decrease the value, as I see people looking for 'mint or nearly mint' cups? I guess I would like to use them if I have them, but I can also easily see the point of view of looking at them as beautiful objects and enjoying them that way. thanks -Phil |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I have 2 sets of sherwood cups and I use them all the time.
My opinion and philosophy on crap is...... USE IT UP!!!! What good are Sherwoods if you're not using them in your shows. What good is anything if you don't use it. When I buy something, as fragile as it may be (sherwoods are anything but fragile, btw) I use it use it use it. <storytime> A friend of mine and I went golfing. He lost a ball on a water hole and pulled out his souvenir logo ball from the US Open (Pebble Beach I think) by mistake to replace the lost one. He went to put it back in his golf bag and get a different one and I told him: "what are you doing. use the damm thing. maybe it will be your lucky ball. what good is it doing you stuffed way down in the bottom of your golf bag". He decided to take my advice and used it. *whack* A beautiful shot. Right into the water (again). He gave me a look only a friend you've known for 30 years would give you and used many entertaining words to describe his displeasure. I told him... "see. now we have a funny story we can tell people". </storytime> Please use your props. Use them until you can't use them anymore. If you pay $2000 for sherwood cups and use them 2000 times that's $1 each time. If you use them 10 times, well that's $200 a pop. If all you ever do is rub them with a diaper well that's ....Priceless. If you need any further encouragement go read "The Velveteen Rabbit". http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/w......bit.html
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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puggo Inner circle 2022 Posts |
Frank's post reminded me in some ways of an e-mail I received just after the 9-11 attack (I work for the Fire Service). The general idea of the e-mail was to tell about people who had been saving their ***** (insert sentimental / precious item) for a special occassion etc. Obviously, some of those people involved in 9-11 never got to enjoy what they had been saving, so the message was about enjoying your life while it is there.
If you are a serious collector, I totally understand, keep your cups safe. If you just have something because it is nice / high quality, then I would strongly urge you to use them, enjoy them - perhaps one day you may not be able to. BTW, all my cups are cheap, but if ever I am lucky enough to get some Sherwoods, I'll use them. Promise. With respect to all, Charlie |
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magicorik Loyal user Italia 203 Posts |
My working cups are the Engraved Copper Sherwoods but I never use the Silver engraved or the Brass engraved Sherwoods....I must admit I like collecting cups and probably I just need 1 set.
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Eddie Torres Special user New York City 692 Posts |
I have many sets of nice cups, some one of a kind. I've used every set of cups I have in real performance at least once.
Eddie Ivan Torres
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There are some cups in my collection that I would NEVER use, mainly because they don't handle well or because they may be very delicate. For example, the big plastic flowerpots that belonged to Tarbell are brittle. The paint is coming off the green aluminum ones. But unless you really beat on your cups, you probably won't hurt them.
The chop cup I use most often is a collectible one.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Vayron Loyal user Belgium 229 Posts |
My first expensive set was the Johnsons. I've been using them hundred of times for training. Now they have a few marks on them but I still use them for practice.
A few weeks ago I bought DD/PF cups. I used them once for a show and a few times for practice but when I manipulate the cups I am very careful. If you manipulate cups with care I don't see why you should not practice with them. Just be careful. Posted: Jan 6, 2010 10:29am Vernon had one of the most expensive cups in the world and he used them every time... |
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BCS Inner circle 1083 Posts |
I am an occasional performer (hobbyist/hack) … But I use all my Cups even the so called It Cups. For the last 2 months I have been carrying around a set of PF DD Cups that I hold and practice with throughout the day. I want them to turn that brown most of us like.
They arrived to me kind of blotchy; it looked as though they were stored stacked so each Cup was very different. I gave them a basic cleaning and they are well on their way to being what I want. Some of the better looking Cups that I have came to me in a used looking state. Cups should be used unless they are in harm’s way. Bruce |
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Sir Richard Special user 650 Posts |
1st let me state for the record that I am a performer...not a collector, so I don't own any really expensive cups. The most expensive set I own are a set of Phoenix cups that I absolutely love to perform with over & over. If folks on here wish to place their cups under a glass display case & keep them dusted off, well, that's fine with me to, but I don't buy anything I'm not going to use; guess I'm just a "practical" sort of person.
Sir Richard.
"In the land of Murphy there is but ONE law!"
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BCS Inner circle 1083 Posts |
Sir Richard… Those phoenix cups are tanks, keep using them and don’t worry… though I don’t think that you do. Find some CM Cups, you will like those.
I remember reading your posts when you started cup hunting; I am glad that you have a set that you really like (and use). Bruce |
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kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
I use set 119 of the engraved silvers that Brett used to put out. They're the only set I use in performance. I throw them in the air and have dropped them countless times.
Each mark, every scratch is another beauty mark, to me. |
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Mobius303 Inner circle Lakewood, Ohio 1309 Posts |
I use my sets too.
To really get a feel for your cups you must use them. Expensive to me means that they should be cared for but not used with kid gloves. I have several sets that are highly collectable. One set is one of two ever made. I used that set well over 500 times in performance and never regretted it. I would use engraved Sherwoods all the time if I had a set. I use three sets to practice with at this time and all of them are holding up well with use. Set #1 is my Smooth Brass Sherwoods with Antique finish....the coating on the outside does not hold up to everyday use and I would not recomend this type of finish for a worker cup at all ever. Set # 2 Riser Jumbo Cups. These things are tanks and can not only take a beating they have no dings from use. I have used them for about 5yrs now. I even dropped one cup ona tiled floor when I was cleaning them and they took the hit with no real damage. I can see one edge of one lip but nobody else has noticed it unless I point it out. Set #3 is my Sisti Steel cups that I had Don finish for me. These cups are not only tanks they look great and hold up to any kind of use. I do not hit them or use a wand with these cups which also helps. The finish s extremly durable on this set and very easy to maintain. I am like Kent though in that each ding or mark is like a beauty mark and has a story to tell. The antiqued cups are great for that, the more marks on them the better they look. Enjoy, Mike |
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
One friend of mine has a set of Ireland cups. Owned and used by Ireland. They had been on the shelf of the late Roy Fromer, a collector and historian. My friend decided to keep them. I wish he didn't use them, as he only does a standard three ball penetration with no embellishments or loads. At the end, he reveals a fourth ball for reasons that escape me.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Donnie Buckley V.I.P. Cleveland, Ohio 1123 Posts |
There are a few things I collect that I never touch, coins and currency being the most obvious - fingerprints totally destroy a mint state grading on collectible coins and currency.
But, collectible cups are another story. I have several sets of cups that are no longer manufactured, and they do stay in a display case and are not used. I would use them if I wanted to, and I do handle them on occasion, but I have no need to do a routine with them. None of the vintage sets I have are preferable to me anyway. They were ONLY purchased as an oddity, rarity or collectible, and a modern cup is much better for my routine. |
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DomKabala Inner circle I've grown old after diggin' holes for 2827 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-06 11:15, kentfgunn wrote: Amen to that...I consider myself a utilitarian and I use what I buy! Cardamagically, Dom
We don't stop playing when we grow old...we grow old when we stop playing.
God is enough, let go, let God. Gal 2:20 "Anything of value is not easily attained and those things which are easily attained are not of lasting value." |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-06 11:52, magicians wrote: :rotf: that was funny
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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mgcpwrs New user San Jose, CA 53 Posts |
Fantastic answers - I have been turned to the dark side.
USE THEM and ENJOY! ... and if there is stuff you are not using and enoying - get rid of it. (that is my own additional wisdom for the new year) Thanks for the thoughts. -Phil Posted: Jan 6, 2010 3:06pm ...and one more thing- sorry. To 'magicians' user - I am in -complete- agreement !!! why show the four ball? That is not magical to be, (even though I can't do cups and balls yet). |
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Bill Wilson Special user 536 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-06 11:52, magicians wrote: To be a fair judge, I'd have to see your friend's routine, but it sounds like he's missing a rather obvious point of a cups and balls routine. |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Actually use?
Uh my Indian cups are very olde and beat up, but I prize them for their look. Standard routine? I use a set of Paul Fox nickle plated that Danny Dew gave to me. Bowl? I use a toilet plunger or an old brass bowl I got 40 years ago. Wands? A bambook stick given to me by the late Emile Clifton Sometimes a Porper TIGER WAND (the gaffed wand that goes through a cup) STick handle on toilet plunger with an engraved silver tip. Balls? Bowl: Goshaman 2-inch super soft reds or greens (I say they are big soft peas). Cups Monkey fists. I think these came from Jim Riser.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
One of my other interests, as some of you may know, is the banjo. I was a professional banjo player for many years. I have a modest collection of banjos, some vintage, some that I built and some that are new instruments that have a particularly excellent sound. There's not one of them that I wouldn't take out on a gig.
If I had a gig. Similarly, a friend of mine is the concertmistress of the Houston Symphony. She has two violins. One is a Stradivarius. The other is a Villaume. Both are worth somewhere between a small fortune and a king's ransom. She uses both of them in her public concerts.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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