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F J New user Mississippi 31 Posts |
I am considering, perhaps, putting together an act that would be from the era just prior to the American Civil War.
In case you are not informed, the War was from 1861-65, and so the act would be from about 1860, in the United States, of course. The Southern U.S., in particular. Anyway, I was hoping that the good folks on this forum would be able help me, in terms of shedding light onto what types of effects, and even specific ones, are correct to the period. Anyone care to post? |
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Trey Cromwell New user Sacramento CA 6 Posts |
There's a huge amount of material that can fit into this category. I perform at the Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco, and that fits right into the time period you're talking about. We concentrate on the period of about 1840-1865. That being said, you could do almost any amount of mentalism, simply changing the look of the props and the storyline. There's a wonderful book test routine in the October issue of the Linking Ring (cover: Rachel Colombini) that could be used with any of the literature of the period. Personally, I use Dickens works, but the principle lets you use anything you want.
Rope magic is especially good for this time period, cut and restored, etc. Offhand, I'd say cups and balls could work as well, perhaps using small cannonballs as your final loads? Maybe some sort of routine about how the tides of war are stirring, etc, etc? Of course, there are more card effects than can be counted that would work. Here's a source for playing cards that are directly from the time period: http://www.gentlemansemporium.com. Look under "accessories" and then "other items". They're friendly, and fast shipping. I use these a lot, and while they're not quite as smooth as bicycles, they get the job done. When it comes to card effects, I think you can really do any kind of effect you want, they're not very limited by "period correctness" (assuming, of course, you're not using modern props or storylines). Generally, I find that an ambitious card routine, a couple of routines about poker among the soliders waiting for a battle to start, and maybe a card to wallet as a closer is a good, tight act for strolling or as part of a larger closeup show. Hope that helps! |
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lin Special user California 876 Posts |
There are at least two classic magic texts, Professor Hoffman's _Modern Magic_ and Hopkins' _Magic_, (published at the turn of the 19th/20th century) that are easy to find in inexpensive modern paperback editions. These will give you a really good idea of what was fashionable in magic of the period.
Some other out of print, out of copyright magic books from the 19th century can be found with a search on the Internet Archive. Here's one published in 1862: http://www.archive.org/details/magiciansownbook00arno best of luck with your project |
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F J New user Mississippi 31 Posts |
[quote]On 2010-10-27 23:14, Trey Cromwell wrote:
Of course, there are more card effects than can be counted that would work. Here's a source for playing cards that are directly from the time period: http://www.gentlemansemporium.com.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE><!-- Mr. Cromwell, I already happen to have the "Illuminated" Deck. (Although I did get them from another source; there are several places online that sell them.) They are very nice quality, and have a quite a bit of "gold" ink on them, which makes them perfect for magicians. Also, in response to: Quote:
On 2010-10-27 23:14, Trey Cromwell wrote: You wouldn't happen to know where to get any, would you? (By the way, it would balls of grapeshot, since cannonballs are larger.) - Anyone else, does you know any particular effects that are period to about 1860? If so, please speak up! |
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Trey Cromwell New user Sacramento CA 6 Posts |
Ah yes, the illuminated deck is fun too. The only reason I don't use that one is that the sources I've found for them are a bit expensive, and I tend to give away a lot of cards during my show.
You're right, using the smaller balls would be grapeshot. What I was suggesting though, was to have larger cannonballs, such as those used in the smaller deck guns (3 pounds, I think?) as the final loads. Unfortunately, I don't know offhand where to get them, but you might try a steel foundry, or any number of Civil War sutlers. Cheers! |
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Frank Douglas Special user 555 Posts |
Trey
Thanks for that link.... I just found my costume for my Seance act. As for cards...the Highlander 1864 deck looks good... I would just age them a bit. One thing I am in search of is a pair of Gambler Cheat specs from the period.... anyone know of a good resource for them? Cheers Frank |
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mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
It also depends on how accurate you want to be, shich in turn depends on your audience. Civil War re-enactors, for example, demand authenticity or will write you off as a "farb." Many of the period decks, for example, including the Highlanders, IIRC, bear a tiny US Plyaing Card Co. stamp, which wouldn't pass muster at the annual Gettysburg re-enactment. And if you did cups and balls, you'd probably want to use the more traditional shaped ones -- the Paul Fox style is a bit too modern and rounded. Most people wouldn't know the difference, of course, but if you were doing "living history" the expectation would be that you were historicaly accurate.
Marc |
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F J New user Mississippi 31 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-10-30 08:54, mcharisse wrote: Well, the Illuminated Deck has a small "©USGS" on the backs of all the cards, but is very small, and blends in with the rest of the design. You almost have to knows it's there to see it. -- Anyway, does anyone know of where to acquire period (circa 1860) magic wands? Would they have had white tips? I know M. Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin introduced them, but had they "caught on" by the 1860's? |
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Mark R. Williams Regular user 193 Posts |
Look up any information on John Henry Anderson "The Great Wizard of the North" as he billed himself (he was from Scotland). He performed here during our war, both north and south, though his performance in Richmond was not well received, they did not know he was from Britain..................... There are several references to the exact effects he performed then.
"One more step on the pathway of Knowledge, that is if we don't break our leg crossing the street"
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Trey Cromwell New user Sacramento CA 6 Posts |
FJ,
Well, for a period wand I'd say the easiest thing to do is to make one yourself. Personally, I use what is, essentially, a length of dowling that's been shaved down to create a wand with two flat sides. I find that making your own gives you greater flexibility for length, color, etc. As well, the flat sides make for some interesting handling on spins. Seems to me that it sticks to my fingers a bit better too. |
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Ms. Merizing Loyal user Edwin Carl Erwin is digging postholes for 232 Posts |
Perhaps a Magic Lantern effect would work for your Civil War show? You can see period lantern slides here: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7477967 .
Pleased to continue finding that all the world's a stage.
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Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
Dear F J may I suggest that you get acquainted with Bill Kalush
He is a most knowledgeable historian both about Magic and about the Civil War. On top of this he is an extremely skillful performer, a fascinating narrator and a very pleasant character. Enjoy and indulge...
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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Dr_J_Ayala Inner circle In search of Vlad Dracul and his 2169 Posts |
I seem a bit late to this post, but I would suggest looking for coins minted in that era, which would be truly authentic. You can get good coins in decent condition for a surprisingly low price if you look hard enough.
The Braided Hair Cent, Seated Liberty Silver Dollar, Seated Liberty Quarters and Seated Liberty Dimes (a small coin, but accurate and useable) are good places to start. |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
You can get reproduction coins quite easily on E-Bay as well. Even Fax gold pieces. Plus there's a guy on Etsy making perfect tin cups for the cups and balls if you want to be using a proper period cup or your routine.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Payne, do you mind telling us how to find the cups on Etsy? I've been searching with every term I can think of and getting nothing that looks useful. I really did try to use search-fu before asking this.
I've been wanting a set of tin cups ever since I read Hocus Pocus Jr. Thanks in advance! -Patrick |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Look under The Village Tinsmith. They're a custom order so you'll have to e-mail him directly to set up a purchase
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Thank you! I have placed an order with him.
-Patrick |
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Dr_J_Ayala Inner circle In search of Vlad Dracul and his 2169 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-05 04:06, Mr. Woolery wrote: How were his prices? I also have a local historic site nearby my house and they have a tinsmith there, which I was wondering if I might ask them to try doing the same thing for me. |
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Dr_J_Ayala Inner circle In search of Vlad Dracul and his 2169 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-03 16:07, Payne wrote: I tried The Village Tinsmith, but no luck. I did find him, though, under The Village Tinner after searching around on Yahoo. Thanks for the reference! |
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Intrepid Inner circle Silver Spring, MD 1179 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-02 01:25, Payne wrote: There's a nice thing about coins from this era. The front and back design of dimes, quarters, half dollars, and trade dollars are identical. Perfect for a shrinking or expanding coin routine. ;-)
Bob
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