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Hayre Regular user Arkansas 194 Posts |
For those of you who are knowledgeable on vintage Kuma Tubes. Any ideas on the origin of this prop, which appears to be from the 60s or 70s ????
From Bill Pitts' estate, I purchased a unique Kuma Tubes which I could not identify as to maker. The tubes are huge, aluminum, with a 60s geometric pop art design on the outside of the outer tube only. The load is not a bowl, but a set of domed wooden (painted silver) bird cages.... a smaller one, and a large (bottomless) bird cage (which cannot fit back inside inner tube after production.) The geometric pattern is very bold and bright...silver, green, etc. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Sounds like you do not have a set of Kuma Tubes, but most likely a home made prop, with different items that can be produced. More like a square circle box effect using a tube or tubes, you were not clear on how many tubes you have.
Pictures would help. That is funny, your statement that the 1960's you consider vintage, then I must be ancient. The only Kuma Tubes in the 1940's were made by Thayer/Owen (see attached photo) and China, as far as I know. No geometric designs were put on props back in the 1960's, except Norm Nielsen made a few box props with black and white designs. If the there is not 2 tubes, a huge jug, and silks, water and the effect of the tubes not fitting over the jug, then it is not Kuma Tubes. Click here to view attached image. |
Hayre Regular user Arkansas 194 Posts |
2 tubes. Both tubes aluminum...around 16 inches high by 10 inches diameter. Only the outside of larger tube has a pattern. The large cage just fits in one end of the inner tube...and slightly too large for the other end of the inner tube. Since the cage is bottomless, a huge supply of silks can be loaded as well.
This looks very professionally made, with precision fit of outer tube, inner tube, and load cages. The finish of the pattern on the outer tube is very professional as well. This came originally from Clark Fonda, and ended up with Bill Pitts when he married Clark's widow, Ruth. Nicer made than any of the other props I have seen that Clark built. |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
When I think of Kuma Tubes I think of De Yip Loo. There may be something online you can reference to this performer to see how this classic should be presented.
Julie |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Julie!
Yes, I went with Jay to catch De Yip Loo on a "club date". Loo did 45 minutes, and finished with the KUMA TUBES. He had "killed" with the act, and, finishing with the Kuma Tubes, was the "coup de grace"! We were standing in the wings, and, Jay, with tears in his eyes, said: "NO ONE ELSE, should be ALLOWED to do the Kuma Tubes." I was having the same problem with my eyes, as we watched our friend, bow. Not only a great performer, Loo was a craftsman, too. He had built the tubes from scratch.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Hayre, by home made, I did not mean poor quality, I have seen some craftsmen make highly professional equipment. I just meant, not made by any of the big magic manufacturers of the time.
It still sounds like a cage production. Abbott's made a large tube, only with a top and bottom, that produced silks and such, then a large cage was pulled out. Someone could have built something similar to that only for very large audiences. Being Florida is one of the places for cruise ships, This could have been made for a cruise ship entertainer. Best thing to do is talk to local magic clubs in Florida, and if I remember correctly, Bill Pitt was from another state, maybe Ohio, so talk to the magic clubs in the states he use to live in. He was past president of the IBM I believe and very well liked in the magic circles. |
JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
The Kuma Tubes was a popular trick for magicians based in Chicago. De Yip Loo did it, as did Johnny Platt. Johnny's props were a bit small when compared with De Yip Loo. but Johnny had a bigger set that he gave me around 1980. Of course, the effect was made originally popularized by Kuma himself who had an incredible finale with a jumbo sized silk that was produced and attached to 'lead lines' that displayed it from the 'flies'. As it appeared, it obscured Kuma himself briefly and when he reappeared... in a complete costume change!
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Speaking of U.F. Grant He marketed a clever set of small Kuma Tubes in his Popular line of Magic that employed black art and the appearance and vanish of a small fish bowl with a live goldfish.
Typical of Grant's thinking and brings up a happy memory or two in addition to Loo's. Julie |
JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
I HAD that set of Grant's "Nu-Way Kuma Tubes" !! My first big purchase as a 13year old kid! Great memories with that one....
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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