I just tested the Ireland cups, and they are not narrow-topped enough to do the Paul pickup move with the 2-inch sponge balls. Sorry.

Johnny Paul's cups are at the top of my "wish list". I should have jumped the last time Pete said he found a set...ah well, live and learn.

I don't have small sponge balls, but I think any cheap plastic cups will do the pickup move.
Just for fun, will somebody do the test for me, and let me know the size of the sponge ball I need?

I do a very slight variation of Vernon's routine. Over the years, it has stood up well. I had the good fortune of seeing Vernon perform the routine at his lecture in 1959. After seeing Vernon perform it, I just HAD TO learn it.

I really don't know Vernon's routine. (Sorry, I haven't been able to pick up a lot of the classics.) I do have a rather nice routine from Mark Wilson's Course of Magic which does me well. I made a sleight change in that I don't care what Mr. Wilson says, you can't carry three lemons in your right pocket! I made them larger red balls made of yarn.

LOL, true about the final loads.

The Mark Wilson one was a nice complete routine. I may actually go back and look at it again, it's been a long time sonce I cracked open that book.

If you're looking for Vernon's routine, I would suggest just searching "Dai Vernon" on you tube. It's on there, but a very old vid with bad audio from an appearance on Wilson's show.

Honestly, good, but not my favourite. HOWEVER, I have not seen too many C&B's before he came about and all, so I guess I have been fortunate to have been born into a world already influenced by Vernon