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Carl Rosini

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Revision as of 10:28, 3 October 2008 by Jpecore (Talk | contribs) (Books)

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Carl Rosini (January 14, 1885 - Februray 23, 1969) was born Jakob (Johan) Rosenzweig in Poland.

Carl became the assistant to The Great Anthony, billed as "The Swankiest Swank of All the Swanks". Anthony did a hypnotic act and apparently hypnotized Carl during which Carl would perform his magic act.

After leaving Anthony, Carl met Harry Day, agent of Harry Houdini. Day was so impressed he got Carl booked for two years at Ramsgate and Eastbourne.

Rosini then moved to London where he met Sims, a magician well known for his coins and cards. Sims was appearing at the Alhambra and had a long and attractive contract but other commitments required he be relieved and he recommended Carl as a successor.

Working on the same bill at the Alhambra was Ten Ichi and his daughter Tenka. Ten Ichi featured the thumb tie and asked Carl to teach Tenka a billiard ball manipulation and in return, he would teach Carl the thumb tie. Carl went on to feature the thumb tie very successfully in his act.


In 1906, Rosini was one of the featured acts along with a ballet number. He met and soon married one of the ballerinas, Peggy Barclay. She became his assistant in the act.

For many months the Rosinis toured Germany around 1909.

In 1910, they toured South America. After another stint in England around 1911, the emigrated to the United States and toured the vaudeville circuit.

From 1913 to 1914 the Rosinis toured with Harry Lauder throughout the United States. Carl was a mentor to a young Paul Vucci, who ended up taking on his name and performing as Paul Rosini.

Carl and his wife entertained the troops in 1943 as part of the USO tour during World War II.

After 45 years in show business, in 1948, the Rosinis retired from active show business in Flushing. N. Y. where Carl became an active member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and Society of American Magicians. They eventually moved to Clearwater Florida where he died.

Rosini is credited with originating the Vanishing Cane (very similar to that marketed by Russ Walsh) in 1906, as well as other items in the catalogs of Holden and Tannen.

Honors

SAM Assembly in Clearwater, Florida was named the Carl Rosini Assembly.

Books

  • CARL ROSINI — HIS LIFE AND HIS MAGIC By Robert Olson