Anybody know if these are legit copies?

Looks like they have been cropping up with a "Buy It Now" price of $10 from the same seller. The seller is listed as "quickstopengraving".

Curious and suspicious.

I think these are legit. They look exactly like the one I purchased some years ago -- the cover is the right color, etc. He may have purchased a few of them from Bob Read.

In respect for another's privacy and security, I can't tip any more info than this, but I've dealt with quickstopengraving before (both ways) with good results, and another reliable source told me who it really is. I trust this info to be true, and recommend that you do, too.

Why is it called Penultimate? Did the author know he was going to write one more book on the C&B after this one and that was all?

-Dan

Greetings and Salutations,

Thank you, Michael. I went to ebay, found the item, and hit the "Buy Now" button and thought, "Oh-oh!" but I figured it was worth the gamble. I've already received a confirmation that the book has been packed and will be on its way to me today. Your note seals the deal. I can't wait to get it.

Dan, these guys can give you a better history of it than I can, however, from what I understand the routine is more of a routine for magicians than for a lay audience. It's said to be a scream, and I've looked for it, on and off, since I got interested in the cups.

As to the title, I believe Bob, that last I heard, was working on an ultimate cups and balls history. Does anyone know how it's coming along?

Joe in KC

Bob Read’s “Penultimate Cups and Balls” (Penultimate = next to last) is a comedic routine. It uses one cup from a set, one paper cup, and one coffee mug. You will also have to make a specially gimmicked wand (easy to do) and get the final loads (I won’t tip here).

You will also have to adjust the script a bit (re-write the jokes to update them).

As with all of Bob’s stuff it is very good, direct, visual, humorous, and magical. While it may have been developed to mess with magicians, it plays very well for non-magician audiences. Bottom line, in my opinion, is that it is good stuff and well worth the investment.

Bob explains in the introduction of the routine exactly why he called it the "Penultimate Cup and Ball Routine." It seems that EVERY routine was the ULTIMATE this and the ULTIMATE that. He thought it was somewhat pretentious to call anything the ultimate routine or the final word. So his is the penultimate one.

It shows his bent sense of humor. You can't help but like a person who is that honest.

Does anybody know if the anyone is still making the gaffed wrist watch for this routine.

Thanks Joe, Harry and Bill! That explains it perfectly. And yes Bill, it's a bent sense of humor and I like it very much. The routine sounds fun; I'll have to keep an eye out for another copy of it on eBay.

Greetings and Salutations,

I just did a search on ebay for "Penultimate Cups and Balls" and, by the looks of it, the same seller has another copy for sale for the same price.

As far as I know the PCB manuscripts are relatively rare, I had given up looking for one, and for $10 (USD) plus shipping, it's a heck of a price.

Joe in KC

No, not at this time. In fact, that's one reason that Bob doesn't perform this routine any longer. Someone stole his kit with all the props in it.

I have a gaffed pocket watch that does the same thing.

I have one of the wrist watches that I got a loooooooong time ago when Bob was first over here. What is also cool is is tiny bag that unzips to a full size carrying case. I think the Genii article mentions it.

The Penultimate routine is great and if you can carry it off it is good for laymen too.

$10 bucks is a great price for it. I just bought a copy from H&R books recently and it cost me $20. That said, I'm still happy with my purchase. I'd been trying to locate a copy for a while.

I think It's a great routine. Like most 3 cup routines, it's based on Vernon's routine, but you can see how Bob added his own bits and jokes and, made it his own. I still laugh when I read it. Bob is one of the funniest people I've ever met.

I bought a spring apart watch about 10 years ago from Bob Little, It is made a little differently, but you still get the same effect.

I believe you can still find similar bags to the one Pete mentioned in luggage stores. They are called zip- out totes or something like that. They are basically nylon tote bags that fold up into a little wallet looking thing. It's a good way to pick up after yourself. Unzip the bag, drop the fruit inside, put your cups in your pouch or show case and walk off. What a great idea, now I gotta go find one.

Joe

The Penultimate Watch was sold years ago by a dealer in the US who is not deceased. His partner has closed their business. The watch was made in England by an unknown craftsman. They sold for $50 back in the 1980's. So that would mean they would go for over $250 today. Out of the range of most posters on the Café as I read so much about high prices. This is only a gag, not a trick.

I still have mine from way back then. If anyone is will into pay the $250 for it, I would consider parting with it.

You can read about READ in a recent Genii -- great guy, great article.

I found that the watch from the routine is not very difficult to make. It took one trip to Ax-Man surplus, $12, and about two hours of my time.Mr. Read gives permission to make the watch for yourself in the notes. This is also an option for you.