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SPOTLIGHT

In this new spotlight section I will be focusing on a particular item that may or may not be in the museum already. I will be focusing these articles primarily on tricks but sometimes it may be a particular story or performer. Essentially anything I feel might be interesting enough to share. Hopefully you will agree.

SQUARE CIRCLE

In this photo and the one below bear witness to one of a few of my restoration projects. All that was original in this unidentified Square Circle was the box itself, and that was damaged. All that I salvaged was the exterior blue paint and beautiful oriental waterslide decal. The front grating that can be seen below was severely damaged and was removed, cut down slightly, repaired (a couple of broken areas), and the box disassembled and reinforced. The yellow tube and hidden load chamber were added (the load chamber was happily the right size but the yellow metal tube needed to be cut down). Lastly I was able to obtain an antique waterslide decal that suited the theme perfectly and was of a proportionate size and voila!

The Square Circle has been a standard production prop beginning around the 1930s with two predominate versions. One can be seen in the Props area of the museum and was the Abbott's Round Circle which is still my favorite. The other is the typical squared box and round tube as seen here. Sort of an exposed version of the Organ Pipes with some black art thrown in it is still one of the more effective productions existing and has stood the test of time. The performer lifts the outer square and shows it to be empty, replaces it and shows the round tube is empty as well. When both are reassembled the production commences and can be very large and varied. Silks, streamers, balls, flags, and even a fish bowl or birdcage for a finale are possible. I am very proud of this particular restoration as so many things fell into place fortuitously and is testimony to the fact that sometimes it is ok to be a pack rat of sorts. I hope you enjoy the restoration