Chicks Man... Chicks… RNT2 PF Chick Cups

My story:

This Easter weekend, I was rather selfish… any spare time that I had between coloring and hiding eggs for the kids or spending time with the family, I played with Cups. I finally was able to really spend some quality time experimenting with a set of Cups that I purchased a month or so ago, the RNT2 Copper PF Chick Cups.

I admit that I have enough Cups for several magicians and then some. Also I don’t have any aspirations of becoming a famous magician; I am quite content as a hobbyist entertaining family, friends and myself. So why did I purchase a set of the RNT2 PF Copper Chick Cups… because their size fascinates me.

I have many strange phobias as well as likes and dislikes. I am afraid of clowns; strongly dislike Barbra Streisand, Bet Midler, Liza Minnelli and I have a fixation of large industrial cans of food. The kind and sizes restaurants and institutions use. You have every right to call me strange.

So what does the above have to do with Cups… really nothing, however the large cans do. Every since I was a small child, large cans of fruits and soups have fascinated me. I used to like to take a regular size cans and hold them up to it giant brothers. I drive my wife crazy when we go to Costco; I just have to go down that row with restaurant supplies.  So when I saw pictures at the Cups and Ball Museum of the large PF Chick Cups I became obsessive and had to have a set. I get the same thrill holding the Chick Cups next to regular sized Cups.

The Cups Story:

I like to include some history or background stories in my reviews, however this review I am kind of stuck. All that I can really find is that Paul Fox/Danny Dew made some large Cups in the 60’s. They were large enough to hold baby chicks as their final load, thus the name. It seems that not many sets were made and the original Cups have become quite rare. Maybe this is so because there are not many magicians using baby chicks in their routines. They have however, become very popular with street buskers because of their size.

RNT2 sometime around 2005 -2006 reincarnated the PF Chick Cups and like the originals only made a few. It seems that they were a popular Cup, but from what I read, I gather they were killed off due to the Paul Fox rights to manufacture controversies.  If someone knows the story, please chime in.

I have never seen a magician perform live that uses baby chicks as their final load and again from what I read, it seems that those that did had a blatant disregard for the birds. I have read stories from Pete Biro and Bill Palmer of a magician named Gali Gali who broke many a poor chicks legs and used to flush the chicks down the toilet after his performances. I did find that Johnny Ace Palmer currently uses baby chicks and bless his soul; he makes sure that the birds are not harmed.

Just for fun, here is a magician from the 50’s using baby chicks that I found on You Tube. It seems to be Gali Gali::

50's TV: Magic Act on the DuMont Network (c. 1950)	powered by Aeva

.

The Cups:

These are really some big ass Cups (pardon my French), they stand a little over 4” tall and are over 3.5” wide. Again I marvel at their size, it’s that can thing. I have yet to receive my PF Cups from RNT2, so I can’t do a side by side comparison, but they really do look like they were hit by radiation and have grown to be a monster PF Cup. The Cups have a nice weight to them and balance. As to their final load, we all know what they were designed for… Chicks man... chicks.

RNT2 PF Copper Chick Cups
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09002.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09003.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09004.jpg


My experience with the Cups:

Up until now the largest Cups that I have played with have been the RNT2 Traditional Cups. Like the Traditional Cups I had to get used to the Chick Cups because of their size, my go to Cups are the Squatty 2’s. I did a little top of the Cup knocking but soon got used to them. The balls that I use are 1’’ in size and seem to look esthetically pleasing with the Cups. I suppose that larger balls could be used, however 3 each 1” balls seems to be the maximum size for a 3 ball reveal… 3 on top of the Cup. For a final load, I had no problem loading baseballs; however I had to do some lap juggling to keep them from rolling away.  I can only imagine what it would be like loading baby chicks into these Cups. Even though it was Easter, my wife wouldn’t let me have some baby chicks.

RNT2 PF Copper Chick Cups Size
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09006.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09007.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09013.jpg

RNT2 PF Copper Chick Cups Final Load
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09005.jpg

RNT2 PF Copper Chick Cups Size Comparison
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09008.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Cups/PFChickCups4-09009.jpg


Final Thoughts:

I don’t think that the RNT2 PF Chick Cups will ever become my go to Cups, not that they are bad or anything like that, they are just too big (for me). Who knows, maybe I could end up using them more if I did a parlor show, or God forbid, I lost my job and had to hit the streets and become a busker for tips (not that there is anything wrong with buskers).

I could recommend them to those that need a Cup of this size. Like other RNT2 Cups I can find no fault in their construction. One day I hope to get some Gary Animal Cups to compare Cups of this size. As far as I know, RNT2 no longer offers the PF Chick Cups, which is a shame; because I am sure that there are others that would want them. Maybe under Don’s watch, he will bring them back, I hope that he does.

All in all, I am glad that I have them in my collection; for I am still fascinated every time I look at them… it is that can thing.

Thanks for reading and as always comments are welcomed and questions encouraged. I do hope Sean will chime in, I know that the RNT2 PF Chick Cups are one of his favorites.

Take care,
Bruce

Bruce,

You've done it again! I love the history, background and detail in your reviews.  I always thuoght that Paul Fox cups were a little on the small size but these take the biscuit!

I would like some PF's that take a tennis ball...

I wont comment on the video, I've seen that before and the guy wants shooting with 

Thanks for another "virtual play" with some great cups!

Bri

Wow....

the cups look nice Bruce...

it's big....

Are they easy to handle ?

Cheers
Andre

I don't like Barbra Streisand either...Bruce, that was a great review, as always. Glad you got to play with them between all the Easter eggs. 

That Gali Gali fellow was something. I'm surprised he didn't break any legs in the video. And I wish he would slow down. He went so fast it was ridiculous.

Tom Gorman

Bri, Andre, Tom… Thanks I am glad that you like hearing what I have to say.  I thought the Cups would be kind of awkward to use because of their size, but after a while I had no problem. They are just a hair heavier then the RNT2 Traditional Cups and because of the Chicks Cups shape (rounded sides) I found them easier to handle compared to the Traditional Cups.

Yes I found the performance on the video to fast… slam slam… balls… slam slam… egg… slam slam chicks.

Tom… To that list I also add Celine Dion (sorry Canadians).

Take care,
Bruce

Nice review Bruce, as usual.

I wish that I had a set of Chick Cups, nice things.

Thanks Tom… Just keep saying to yourself one day, one day and you will.

Take care,
Bruce

PF Chick Cups are coming back. There are no legal reasons to prevent me from making them, and there never has been. In fact, these cups were at the top of my list of cups to spin first - right after the staples...
The Gali Gali performance had me laughing out loud - so frantic and fast, you could hardly keep up with it! Thanks for sharing that great find Bruce, all my searching for Cups and Balls on YouTube, and that never turned up.
Great review (good thing I speak French), great personal insight into your fascination with OVERSIZED objects. I share this same fascination with oversized objects, and miniaturized objects, as well.

Hey Don,

It is good to hear from you, I hope all is well in the land of Cups.

Regarding legal reasons… from what I read it was not legal reasons but rather out of courtesy that Jake stopped making the Cups. I am glad to see that you are bringing them back. I am sure that there are some other jewels that you are thinking about too.

It was my pleasure to share the video… It was pretty bad. Now on the other side of the spectrum is Ross Bertram performing an Egyptian routine… so slow and drawn out….zzzzzz.  It is on the L&L Publishing DVDS (World’s greatest Magic Cups and Balls).

I am so glad that you liked the review, there are more to come.

If you like miniature items, visit Miniature World in Victoria Canada. All kinds of cool stuff there, I spent a whole afternoon looking at their displays.

Take care,
Bruce

Bruce,



      Great review again! You really have a knack for this. Those are beautiful cups! Try some oranges with the cups sometime, it would be interesting to see.

      I think that it's worthy to mention that Gazzo used to for years use an authentic set of Paul Fox Chick Cups. They were perfect for what he needed at the time. I've seen pictures of him using Charlie Miller cups, as well as others, but the staple cup he used was the Chick cups, which can be found on the museum. Gazzo purchased the cups when it wasn't a big deal to have PF cups, and they weren't worth as much, and then shortly after they shot up extremely in value. Gazzo, or at the time Gazo, had his set. He kept that set for a long time before he changed what he wanted from his cups that couldn't be found. He then worked with Gary Animal to make the Gazzo cups.

      I felt it was noteworthy to mention that as the king of street performing relied on the PF cups for years. They can really take a beating. Great cups, and a superb review Bruce, as always.



                      Mike


      I found it funny how similar the Squatty 2 cups look to the PF Chick Cups. The Chick cups are like the Squatty's big brother 

Mike…. How have you been is all well? Did you read the links I sent you?

Thanks for the complements, I enjoy writing them. I will try some oranges with them, the problem is that my 10 year old is a non stop eating machine (growing boy)… he loves oranges.

Thanks for adding to the post, I think that is great how we all share information.

Now that you mention it, I see the similarities between the Chicks and the Squatty 2’s. It’s the 3 rings; I wonder why they have 3 rings and the standard PF have 2. Maybe Don will have the answer.

Take care,
Bruce

Well Bruce, I am glad to see your review.

I know I have had my set of Chicks for some time now, and love them. There is a little something special about my set, but that is for another time. 

They are a great set to use. I thought the same thing about them being too big, or too heavy when I first got them.

Now, I find them to be the right size and weight for doing the cups for a large group. Just let them sit for a bit, and then go back to them and you may find that they are not as big as you first thought.

They will easily take a large orange as a load. I was given a set of large fake oranges from someone, and they work great for them.

There are a few great sites out there that sell really good looking fake fruit. If anyone needs a link just let me know.

Till next time,
Sean 

Sean… do you keep your Chick Cups shiny, or did you let them turn?

A little story I did not include…
So when I first got the Chick Cups I was sitting at my desk, I was all amazed at their size and decided to do the Cup through Cup move… Clink, magic… Cup through Cup, into my lap and hit me just right (or wrong if you know what I mean)… ouch!

Take care,
Bruce

I like them Shiny to give them that extra "Pop" in the show.

Now, if I was using them on the street. I would let them turn.


Now... If you want a set of the "First" PF Chick Cups" (you know the ones that are so hard to find.. )

There is a set up for Auction at http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6286662

Oh....Oh.....Oh.... How my wife will kill me if I buy them, but hell that should not stop any of you. (Right)

Now, note if you need someone to hind them for you. That is until the heat dies down. Just let me know. 

Till next time,
Sean

Bruce --- Ouch! Loading a ball or two under the cup without even trying!