Walter Rolfo and Piero Ustignani (also known as Jabba), established a new Guinness World Record for the most rabbits pulled out of a hat. The attempt took place during the Magic Congress in Saint-Vincent, Aosta, Italy, on 17 May 2008. Walter and Piero had always wanted to become Guinness World Records holders. It was due to this, that the two magicians proposed a new record idea to the Guinness World Records Management Team which was both extraordinary and extremely funny at the same time. “After a brief discussion” confirms Marco Frigatti, Director of Records “we decided to approve the idea as a new category. The idea complied with our standards: it is measurable, comparable and breakable...plus it makes you smile!”
For this record, the magicians needed to produce the largest number of rabbits from what appeared to be an empty top-hat, as part of a classic magic trick. Marco Frigatti attended the record attempt himself and counted 300 rabbits in the space of less than 30 minutes. The attempt was professionally staged and all the rabbits, in compliance with Guinness World Records rules, were properly handled and treated and with the maximum care.
The white rabbits were carefully placed in a separate area after coming out of the hat and soon became the centre of the attention. Walter and Piero admitted that organising a record attempt is not as easy as it sounds; it takes careful planning especially considering that they had to handle live animals for their attempt. It was well worth the effort though: a new Guinness World Record was established in one of the oldest and most fascinating performing arts: Magic.
