For me, it started when I was a very young boy and I received a magic set at Christmas.
The set included all the usual things but there was a set of very small, red plastic cups and 4 small sponge cubes.

I read the instructions, they were teaching how to do the cups and balls very like Mark Wilson's.
I practiced and showed the trick to my uncle.
He told  me that he knew how it was done, I went off a cried.

A few days later, I was in the public library.
I looked for books on magic, none were to be found so I sneaked into the adult part and I found a couple of books on the subject of magic.
I took them to the counter and was told that I couldn't have them as I was a junior.
The lady librarian took pity on me, I was very good at looking despondent back then, and so I took them home.

At home, I found out about final loads.
I practiced using golf balls that I had found on the local course.

About a week later, at New Year, my uncle showed up again.
I showed him the cups and balls.
At the end, when I lifted the cups to show a golf ball, his face fell.

He had no idea where that ball had come from.
I can still picture his face even now, many, many years after.

Roll on a few years.

I had given up magic in favour of other things, boozing, chasing girls, joining the air force.
I ended up in hospital where I was bored rigid.
I started messing around with cards and coins and found myself being excited by magic once more.

After a period of messing around, I remembered the first time I fooled someone.
I did it with a set of cups.
I read all I could, I found out the rich history of the trick.
I was hooked.

Sorry to go on and I am sorry if I have bored you.

Tom

Tom,

The story wasn't boring at all. I liked how you got hooked on the cups.

For me it all began with a search on what would be my part of magic. Growing up as a little boy I was fascinated with David Copperfield, he was the one that got me excited in magic. It slumbered around in my mind for years, not acting on it until I reached the age of 16 when I found my way onto the internet and it's possibilities. Althought we had some great magicians such as Tommy Wonder, a magicstore was very hard to find.

I have tried cards, coins and a lot of props (really a lot) before I stumbled upon the tapes and book from Michael Ammar. I decided to give it a try, ordered the lot with a set of Uday's. And from that point on I am hooked on cups. For me it is also a magpie thing, I just love shiny things.

Etienne

Tom,


I have always liked your Cup attraction story; like you, my attraction also hit me on an emotional level. I became seriously addicted to Cups when I had to move to another state to start a new job. I was away from my family for almost 6 months before we could sell our old house and purchase a new one.


The Cups kept me busy with something to do to kill the boredom of being alone not knowing anyone in a new state. Also I was attracted to their shapes and histories… Bill Palmer’s Museum inspired me to collect which has lead to making great friends around the world.


Bruce

I never realised there were magic shops until about 7 or 8 years ago.
Walking in to my first shop was like entering Aladdin's cave.

Bruce, I have to admit that it was Bill's museum which sent me down the road of collecting cups.
Another victim. 

Tom... Bill got quite a few of us... it’s that Francis that you have to watch out for now... LOL.

I have wasted countless dollars on magic props over the year, but I have yet to be disappointed with any set of Cups... They never break and there is little to lose. I would like to think when I am long gone from this world, that someone will be enjoying my Cups.

Bruce

Yes, it's all Bill's fault.

Francis has a wonderful collection and his display cabinet 

That last sentence of yours Bruce, that's the way I feel too.

LOL, I am as much a victim as all of you, Bill has this effect on people. I started with owning 1 cup, the bar chop cup, and see what Bill and all of you have done to me.

Francis

Nothing to do with me!

Sure you do, you are among the top 20 active confederates...lol

Francis

Oh well, if you insist.

I apologise for inspiring the madness.

I know that Tom F, Bri, Francis and Etienne are still out there... I hear from them regularly in one form or the other; where is everyone else???  Sean??? Sean???

I hope all is well with everyone, again who are all these guests and new members that have not checked in... Sean maybe we need a new member category like The Big Green has.

Take care,
Bruce

I wonder too.

Etienne

I like shiny things.