Do you all use a close up pad for reenactment? If so, what? A regular one or something else?

Bump

Greetings. I'm a civil war re-enactor, but only perform an occational trick for the other guys in the unit now and then (aka hobbyist), so I'm afraid I'm not much help with your question. Are you trying to find a more period alternative to the modern close up pad?

Yes, I am

I've collected a few of the older books on magic during the early to late 1800's, and this is a topic I hadn't considered before. So what follows is strickly off the top of my head.

As the saying goes, form follows function. Are you performing any tricks that require a cushioned pad, such as a matrix routine? If so, your best bet might be to simply hide the pad under a table cloth. If not, then my gut instinct would be to think along the lines of what would the magicians of the day have used. Likely a plain wooden surface or one with a cloth thrown over it. People were very fugal in the old days out of necessity, so to the extent you can repurpose another common period item for your needs even better. Maybe as simple as a coat thrown over a table top. And along those line one could also improvise a table if needed, such as a barrel with an old checker board on top, or a short board between two chairs, a hard tack box, etc.

If you can share a few more specifics such as any performance requirements you have (i.e. do you need a cushy pad, just an appropriate surface to work on), what re-enacting period are you targeting (civil war, American revolution, indian wars, 1812, etc.), what the working environment/venue is like, what have you been using and what was the motivation for seeking out a more period appropriate close-up pad. These details will help us to brian storm other possible solutions to consider.

This is a good question and I'm glad you brought it up.

Go to Peir One and check out their placemats, see if there's anything you like...they usually have interesting ones. Cut a pad out of an old (thick) wool blanket or find a thick piece of felted wool. Have a leather pad made with a nice tooled edge. Or if possible rework your routines so you don't need a pad, this gets everything up higher, more visible and possibly in the spectator's hands more.
~Gavin

Good questions. What I am doing right now is California gold rush. For most people, life was rough but a very few miners (and merchants) became fabulously wealthy and could afford stuff like velvet. I have also done ren faires. Similar situation.

No, I don't really have to have a pad. Mostly just curiosity.

Would love to see your act but sadly I'm located on the opposite coast, near the DC area. If I ever get out that way I'll look you up.

On my table there is a dish drying pad under a green wool blanket that serves as a tablecloth.

I have order through ebay some rabbit pelt, painted the leather side with cryptic symbols works great as a pad.

Gomerel,
Locate a woven rug (dinner place mat size) that has the right surface nap or pile & you will have what you need. Check rug merchants, linen shops, & thrift stores. Take a deck of cards with to check how they'll spread on the rug's surface, or cups or...

I've a loom-woven dish towel that I picked up at the RenFest some years ago that has served me well. Not sure exactly how 'period' it is, but I've received no critiques on the pad (my performance may be a different story;) )

Hi All,

I have been using the suede side of some thick soft leather that I have buckled into a roll. Although I am intending to start with the Shell Game and need something with a little more give in it...

One reason is to stop cards landing in beer!

So you are not the only one with these issues and I am loving this section and thread!

Thanks,

Crap

Some sort of carpet is appropriate for just about any period.

It was mentioned in Hocus Pocus Junior in 1635.

"He that is to play must sit on the farther side of a Table, which must be covered with a carpet"

Having done some research on early period "carpets," I would like to suggest that the kind of "carpet" that is referred to is most like similar to thin "Oriental" rugs. A lot of sixteenth century paintings include carpets. Also, carpets probably would include the material that was used in making traveling bags in the 1800s, ie. as in "carpetbaggers." The type of stuff we put on our floors today would be very wrong.

A lot of upholstery fabric might fit the bill. Also, kilims ("Oriental" rug) are a good option.

HLT

That's good information. Do you think that a place-mat, or table runner in a pattern to a kilim would fit?

Hi Gaaargh!

Thanks!

You will need a rectangle that covers the table top with several inches to hang down. I think it is important to cover the top with a good 8-12 inches overhang on the front and sides of the table. That will allow you to do any sneaky stuff you need to do. The back part of the table (where you will be seated/standing) should only have a few (3-4) inches overhang--enough to produce stability so the cover won't slip but not too much, so that it doesn't interfere with your "dirty deeds."

Now I say this without any actual experience of doing it before a crowd. However, when I practice C&B I am seated behind a small table, I drape a bath towel in such a fashion. I do have several different sheets of upholstery fabric with different patterns that I can use. But one thing to remember is you have to select fabric which will allow some contrast with the items you are using. For instance, red balls on a red "carpet" does not really work. I am still trying to decide which fabric to use.

Upholstery comes in many different designs, including "Oriental" patterns. Based on my research into medieval and Renaissance era rugs, that is most likely the kind referred to in Hocus Pocus. Real "Oriental" rugs come in a variety of thicknesses depending upon what kind of weave and thread are used. If you are using a thin cloth, you might try adding a thin layer of batting material (quilted with a little padding) to the bottom. But this is conjecture on my part, as I have not tried it.

With regards to C&B, the rug serves (at least) two purposes. First, it prevents the ball from rolling away (a big problem on a flat surface). Second, it muffles any sounds that are created, which is the reason also you should use balls with some degree of softness as opposed to wooden or metal balls.

As for table, probably your best bet for a period production is something like the wooden collapsible food tray tables where the legs comprise two "Xs;" that design dates back to at least ancient Rome and probably earlier (IIRC I believe I have seen an ancient Egyptian chair with that basic construction). For the table I am using, the top is too small, so currently I put a larger board on it. When I get a chance I will affix a larger board to it.

I hope this helps,

HLT

I use a felted mat my wife made me. Looks appropriate and still serves the purpose.

Sounds like that would work well!

HLT

For years I have used a piece of suede, cut to the size of a place mat. It offers a nice, cushion that will muffle noise, and not enough bounce for the ball to catch in the chop cup. When not in use, I roll it up and place it into my bag.