Does anyone know the dimensions of the Gusias cone (5.5" tall, I believe)?

A Bill Gusias cone owned by Larry Jennings

Vernet's "Invisible Hand" has some work on the cone.

I meant anyone that is not dead, and Cellini uses a hat from the promo video I seen.

To be on topic this is about the Ball, Cone, and Handkerchief only.

So to answer my question, with no response, no one performs the Ball and Cone effect these days.

Magic is suffering from no interest in magic that requires some skills.

I don't think that is the case Bill. It's just that the skill has moved into other areas. Remember, all forms of theatre morph over time. They all evolve. So, we should expect to see the old traditional forms of our craft get neglected in favour of more fashionable things.

However, if you are trying to say that these old forms of sleight of hand are dying out through neglect and need to be preserved, then I would whole heartedly agree. We should never let them completely die out. There should always be some people championing the old traditional props like this, in order to keep them alive.

When this routine was new (1940's) the image of a ball and cone reflected the symbols of the Trylon and the Perisphers: the iconic image of the Worlds Fair that was on posters and advertised everywhere. People knew what a cone was, as it hadn't been so long ago that paper cones were rolled to handle items like salt and sugar.

Today, who ever sees anything that is conical in shape... That doesn't have ice cream on it? This is not to say the trick is unworkable. The items used are simplistic in shape and easily understood. But something's are of a time in popularity. We won't be seeing magic tricks with CD's very much longer! Still, all that is needed for this trick to become popular again is for just one person to do a version on one of those TV talent shows...

Use an ice cream cone.

Tall, narrow coffee mugs can substitute for the cone, and the handle allows for some easy masking of the Palming.

The friction from the height replaces the pinch for a retained ball or crumpled napkin.
I places roughing fluid inside of some -- you have to test.

The key is to focus on the phases of the effect and modify to fit your style -- I don't like the "in my mouth " moves,
but the essential and unique sleights work well.

In a Senior Center/Assisted Living performance you can use a toilet paper tube as a natural object with mirth.

Here's an interesting video of Dai Vernon on The Merv Griffin show where he does the Silent Mora wand spin move twice--once with a small ball in the middle part performance of his Cups and Balls Routine and at the end with one of the large final load balls. As happens to the best of us--Murphy's Law asserts itself, although only Merv, Dai, and perhaps the studio audience see what happens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TLPBwuHtTY

I'm sure you can all guess what happened at the 5:11 spot in the clip that prompts Merv to quip: "That one has a thyroid problem." It's a rare instance of The Professor being non-plussed. He redeems himself by doing the Mora Wand Spin again--this time with one of the large balls!

----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez

Here is a little snippit....
George was kind enough to spend some time with me on this.

https://www.facebook.com/scottalexanderm......49955844

Vernon performing the Cone and Ball

Great find Brad, I noticed the video is Flipped Over, button on jacket on wrong side, and breast pocket handkerchief on wrong side, plus Dai Vernon was not left handed.

Still a great privilege to view the master.

His handling is totally invisible. Love it, thanks so much.

I also found it interesting that the balls used in this short film clip look to be considerably smaller than the 2 and 1/8" size referred to in the Dai Vernon book by Ganson.
In my estimation, they look closer to 1.5 or 1.75". It does make the move easier to do!

I would imagine that during his lecture tour he had a smaller cone. The cone for his Harlequin Act was most likely the size mentioned in the Dai Vernon Book by Louis Ganson.

I have Dai Vernon's Lecture Notes from the 1940's, I can now compare them to this video.

I see already many differences in the handling from the description. The hand being complete flat is not accurate and gives many some problems. Dai Vernon cupped his hand a lot for the ball and to hold the Cone to keep it from Dropping. He was also much more casual in the handling then I imagined. Of course casualness only comes from hours of practice and repetition.

I wonder if it is the frames-per-minute film of the day, or did he actually do the act that quickly. As it goes by so quickly, there is no time for the effect to register in the spectator's mind at each stage in the routine.

Boy, am I excited at watching that clip.

I agree with all your points Bill. At various points it appears he is operating a normal tempo, and other sections... it appears speeded up. It looks like perhaps in the processing of the film stock, there were some errors made... as was typical of older super 8 type films,

The business of the slightly cupped left hand surprised me as well. I remember learning this as a youth, and working specifically on making my left hand lie as flat and table-like as I could! Now I see that (at least in this rendering) I needn't have worried so much. I am impressed however, that despite the cupped hand, there appears to be NO tipping or tilting of the hand that would betray the ball's path.

I also agree about the smaller cone. I had a Gusias cone (that Vernon gave to Earl Nelson... who gave it to me) and it handled a 2 and 1/8" cue ball just perfectly. It was taller than the one in this clip. Thanks Bill for your insightful comments!!

My dad was a film enthusiast and made home movies in 8mm in the 1940's and later. The film reminds me of those home movies, a little choppy, and of course silent, no sound was possible as of that time.

When I finally met Vernon in person at the Castle, he was that type of person, he took my coins and immediately did a 5 coin production that that blew me away. It was simple and easy. He even repeated it for me, at my request. The man not only had the knowledge, but could perform the magic perfectly.

Time to dig out the Cone and Balls again, and try is handling.

Mike Perovich's routine straight out of the Dai Vernon Book is wonderful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbYrXNkQG_E

Where does George perform? I have never seen him.

George Millward performing close-up.




He is an expert prop maker, and the props he makes, he can also perform to perfection.

HE makes a dye tube in metal, Chinese Sticks brass covered in wood, and the Cone in leather.

You can purchase George Millward's line of products from Denny Haney or from Enigma Effects. The Millward cone looks to be the best available at this time.

I will say however, that I prefer the look of a shorter cone such as the one seen in the Vernon video and this one, which belonged to Bruce Cervon ...



This set was sold at auction in 2010. The cone is described as of unknown maker and measuring 3" wide at the mouth and 5¼" high.

By contrast, the Millward cone has a mouth diameter of 2½" and is 7" high.

I find it a little strange that the picture of the Ball & Cone set listed on the Enigma Effects site as the Millward Ball & Cone, is in fact
a Bill Gusias set once owned by Larry Jennings and sold at auction in 2012.

The picture was lifted directly from the Potter & Potter catalog.

Gusias cones are 5½" high.