Object numberM2007/077:014
DescriptionThe trophy for the 1979 Award from The Geniis Magical Society given to Rooklyn for his dedication to the Art of Magic. Trophy has a red wooden base with a small plaque on that is a pedestal holding a globe encased in acrylic all topped with a winged woman holding her arms high with a torch.
Hypnotist, juggler, ventriloquist, illusionist as well as magician, Maurice Rooklyn was one of Australia's leading entertainers. He was born in England in 1905 to Russian-Jewish parents and shortly after, his family moved to Australia. He knew that he wanted to be a magician at the age of four, when a magician visiting his school pulled coins out of thin air. He was known to practice up to 14 hours a day. Rooklyn's dedication paid off and he became known as the "Amazing" Mr. Rooklyn. His shows incorporated a variety of musicians, dancers and comedians. At the height of his career he had his own travelling troop of about thirty people and just as many large trunks full of equipment for his show.
The Amazing Mr. Rooklyn sawed people in half, stretched ladies and made all sorts of things appear and disappear. The most dangerous trick he performed was catching a flying bullet in his teeth. On two occasions he was shot on stage in Bondi performing this amazing act. His specialty however, was billiard ball manipulation. He won many trophies and entertained countless people with the routines he created. The highlight of his career was being the first Australian to win the International Magicians Competition in Vienna in 1958. Maurice Rooklyn was proud of his Jewish heritage. He participated in many performances at the Maccabean Hall, which is now the site of the Sydney Jewish Museum. Rooklyn passed away in 1992. His wife Konnie Rooklyn, a fellow magician, donated his prized possessions to the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Hypnotist, juggler, ventriloquist, illusionist as well as magician, Maurice Rooklyn was one of Australia's leading entertainers. He was born in England in 1905 to Russian-Jewish parents and shortly after, his family moved to Australia. He knew that he wanted to be a magician at the age of four, when a magician visiting his school pulled coins out of thin air. He was known to practice up to 14 hours a day. Rooklyn's dedication paid off and he became known as the "Amazing" Mr. Rooklyn. His shows incorporated a variety of musicians, dancers and comedians. At the height of his career he had his own travelling troop of about thirty people and just as many large trunks full of equipment for his show.
The Amazing Mr. Rooklyn sawed people in half, stretched ladies and made all sorts of things appear and disappear. The most dangerous trick he performed was catching a flying bullet in his teeth. On two occasions he was shot on stage in Bondi performing this amazing act. His specialty however, was billiard ball manipulation. He won many trophies and entertained countless people with the routines he created. The highlight of his career was being the first Australian to win the International Magicians Competition in Vienna in 1958. Maurice Rooklyn was proud of his Jewish heritage. He participated in many performances at the Maccabean Hall, which is now the site of the Sydney Jewish Museum. Rooklyn passed away in 1992. His wife Konnie Rooklyn, a fellow magician, donated his prized possessions to the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Object nametrophies
Dimensions
- width: 100.00 mm
depth: 102.00 mm
height: 315.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Konnie Rooklyn