How to care for your gibeciere

Many street magicians use the gibeciere, or buskers pouch, when performing. It's a useful accessory for cups and balls, coin magic, and manipulations. Pioneered extensively by Jim Cellini, the busker's pouch has regained popularity among magicians. I have been using a pouch for well over twelve years.

Most pouches are made of leather. In general, leather is durable, pliable, and stylish enough to look good with a magician's costume. The leather quality can vary greatly between manufacturers, though. On the low end are thin bovine upholstery leather bags, factory made by machines. Higher tier gibecieres have been made by hand out of exotic, durable leathers. Regardless of their origins, all these leathers require conditioning and care.

If you can figure out the specific leather of your buskers pouch, a quick search online for specific care should be educational.

In general, you will want to clean, condition, and protect your gibeciere. You don't need much for it. Some scrap fabric like old clothes, a horsehair brush, some conditioner like Bick 4, and a waterproofing spray like Saphir Super Invulner or Collonil Waterstop will help keep your pouch looking and being its best.

A few times a year, wipe your pouch down with a damp cloth to clean it. Don't let the leather get too wet, though.
Once the leather is dry, use a cloth to apply the Bick 4 to the pouch, applying it evenly like you're moisturizing your own skin with lotion.
After a couple minutes, when the conditioner has been absorbed by the leather, brush the leather with the horse hair brush. This step is optional, but can help give your pouch a shine.
Finally, spray your gibeciere with Super Invulner or Collonil Waterstop. Follow the directions on the packaging. This will weatherproof your pouch, in case you get caught in the rain with it.

Congratulations, if you've followed the simple steps to pouch care, your gibeciere should have extra years of use on the pitch.

Note: more exotic leathers like Stingray, Shell Cordovan, Ostrich, or Pachyderms require more specific products and care.

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with a magician who uses leather bags,

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