Robert Merlini: Difference between revisions
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Merlini was the first hypnotist to perform live on Australian television in 1957.<ref name="Robbins collection"/> He appeared in television programs including ''Cafe Continental'', ''Review 61'' and ''Review 62'' and made several appearances on ''[[In Melbourne Tonight]]'' with [[Graham Kennedy]].<ref name="Magicpedia"/> |
Merlini was the first hypnotist to perform live on Australian television in 1957.<ref name="Robbins collection"/> He appeared in television programs including ''Cafe Continental'', ''Review 61'' and ''Review 62'' and made several appearances on ''[[In Melbourne Tonight]]'' with [[Graham Kennedy]].<ref name="Magicpedia"/> |
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Merlini |
Merlini added to an extensive collection of texts relating to magic which he acquired from his teacher, the Great Levante (Leslie George Cole) in the early 1960s. Now known as the Robbins Collection of Stage Magic, the collection "contains around 900 books, trade catalogues, pamphlets, posters and serials".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections-significant-collections/robbins-magic-collection|title=Robbins Magic Collection|last=1414|first=scheme=AGLSTERMS.AglsAgent; corporateName=State Library of New South Wales; address=Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000; contact=+61 2 9273|date=2015-07-16|website=State Library of NSW|language=en-AU|access-date=2017-07-20}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Revision as of 08:14, 20 July 2017
Robert Merlini (born Robert Robbins; 1929–1964) was an Australian illusionist, stage performer and television performer.[1] He was the first Australian magician to appear on television.[2]
Early life
He was born in Sydney in 1929. At the age of 14 he was the youngest magician to perform at the Tivoli Theatre in Sydney.
Career
Robbins used the stage name of ‘Robert Merlini’.[3] Merlini studied with another notable Australian magician, The Great Levante, a Gold Star awarded performer and fellow of the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood.[4][5]
Robbins was in the Australian Occupation Forces in Japan when World War II ended and joined English performer Gracie Fields and her troupe entertaining the forces.[2]
Merlini corresponded with Oscar Oswald the magic dealer and editor of Magical Digest .[6] Throughout his career Merlini built a substantial collection of more than 900 books and pamphlets about magic dating from 1799 to 1962.[4][7]
Merlini was the first hypnotist to perform live on Australian television in 1957.[4] He appeared in television programs including Cafe Continental, Review 61 and Review 62 and made several appearances on In Melbourne Tonight with Graham Kennedy.[7]
Merlini added to an extensive collection of texts relating to magic which he acquired from his teacher, the Great Levante (Leslie George Cole) in the early 1960s. Now known as the Robbins Collection of Stage Magic, the collection "contains around 900 books, trade catalogues, pamphlets, posters and serials".[8]
Personal life
Robbins was married to Margaret Robbins and they had three children, Denise, David and Graham. Robbins died on January 8, 1964, aged 37.[2]
References
- ^ "Robbins Magic Collection". State Library of New South Wales. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ a b c Cook, Frank (February 18, 2008). "Magic moments". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Greenland, Margaret Robbins; McCudden, Lynn (2007), Magic, mayhem, Merlini and me, L. McCudden, ISBN 978-0-9581164-3-5
- ^ a b c "Robbins Magic Collection". State Library of NSW. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
- ^ Blackmore, Kent (1997), Levante : his life, no illusion, Mike Caveney's Magic Words, ISBN 978-0-915181-29-2
- ^ Robbins, R.B. (Robert B.); Oswald, Oscar; Magical Mart (1960), [Robert Merlini correspondence, Mar. 14, 1960], London, retrieved 18 January 2017
- ^ a b "Robert Merlini - Magicpedia". www.geniimagazine.com. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
- ^ 1414, scheme=AGLSTERMS.AglsAgent; corporateName=State Library of New South Wales; address=Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000; contact=+61 2 9273 (2015-07-16). "Robbins Magic Collection". State Library of NSW. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
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