Here's a picture of the "copper" cups.

Click here to view attached image.

Here's another set that I painted silver.

Click here to view attached image.

Here's the original cups that I painted white.

Click here to view attached image.

Tour!

those look fantastic! especially the copper colored pails!! Thanks for sharing those images as well as the detail about the cups being cardboard in the original.

Do you perform the effect often? How does it play for you?

No, I haven't performed it in a long time (probably 50 years). Part of the reason is because I didn't have a suitable glass until recently.

Last month at the IBM convention I was able to show my Helicopter Cups to Andre and Tim Kole.

Click here to view attached image.

I have always liked the Helicopter Cups since they were advertised in the Genii magazine many years ago. Is a demo available? Thanks, Bob

Here's a copy of the ad from the Linking Ring Magazine, July, 1955.

Click here to view attached image.

Thanks for sharing those last couple of images! just great!

Here's a better picture of the Linking Ring ad (July 1955). This was the first ad for the Helicopter Cups. The last ad was August, 1956.

Click here to view attached image.

Another thing that I showed Andre and Tim (and also Jeff McBride) was my idea for a gimmicked cup. Using this cup would allow both cups to be shown inside and out at the same time. The cups in the picture are metal cups that I purchased a few years ago at Hobby Lobby. They came with the red/blue paint job. (gimmicked cup is on the right).

I also need to make a new (gimmicked) tray to allow me to actually perform the trick using these cups. That's my next project.

Click here to view attached image.

Another picture showing the insides of both cups.

Click here to view attached image.

Very clever and everything really looks great! You are a true craftsman!

I recall visiing the Phoenix Burt Easley magic shop in the early 70s. They said the Helicopter Cups & Atomic Stack Pile were no longer available. I later was able to purchse the Atomic Stack Pile from Bill Adams. However, I never could find a Helicopter Cups. They must have been made in a very small number. Seems like some builder should consider building their version. Bob

I'm sure the Helicopter Cups are quite rare because I've never seen any advertised for sale on Ebay or any of the collector websites. I brought mine to the convention in Phoenix hoping to find out how many were sold, but unfortunately neither Andre or Tim had the answer. The set that I bought from Mazda Magic arrived at the store in pieces (probably broken during shipping). Mazda's owner, Col. Russell Shaw, rebuilt the trick completely before I bought it. This included re-soldering the brass legs to the top of the stand and repainting the tray. He was an expert craftsmen. and I'm sure it took many coats of lacquer to produce the smooth yellow top on the tray.

So... I'm guessing that most of the Cups that were sold didn't survive. Of course the Kole family still has the rights to the trick, and they could start building them again if they wanted to. I think any other builder would want to get their permission first.

Tourmagic, you mentioned buying from Mazda Magic. I was wondering if that was the same as Mazda Magic in Oak Park Illinois? I grew up in the Berwyn & Cicero suburbs close to Oak Park. I now live in Napervill Illinos. I agree any builder should always ask for permission from the original builders of an effect. Bob

Yes Bob, That's the same Mazda Magic in Oak Park, IL. I lived in Park Ridge, and I was a member of the Mazda Junior club 1954-58 and the senior club 1958-1963.
I was mentored by members of the Mazda Mystic Ring seniors -Jay Marshall, John Morrissy, Gene Thomas, Norm Osborn and others.
(I moved to California in 1963).

Tourmagic, I was never a member of Mazda, but did visit their shop quite a bit. My next door neighbor was older than me and he was involved with Mazda. His name was Joe vyleta. I am now 75. Take it easy, Bob

Wow, the Atomic Stack Pile brings back so many memories. Yes, this was such a beautifully constructed piece that was so much fun to demo. So odd yet so elegant in its own way. Thanks for reminding me of it!

Interesting thread!

A beautiful mini version of the Atomic Stockpile effect is available from Magic Wagon... http://magic-wagon.com/ProductDetail.asp?id=191