
Ottokar Fischer
(10th November 1873 - 1st December 1940)
Born in Leschau, Moravia, Austro-Hungarian Empire. Moved with parents to Vienna in 1883. Learned as student of A. Fredmar and then in 1895 or 1896 from Heubeck. Amateur to pro as "O.F. Marteau", working in the Kratky-Baschik Zaubertheater in Vienna from 1898 and managing it 1902-1911. Co-founded Magischer Klub Wien in 1908 and was its first President 1908-1914. Dealer-manufacturer ("Wiener Kunststätte für Magie") in Vienna 1914-28. Edited Die Magischen Telefunken 1921-23 (3 issues). Magic collector. Teacher of several magicians including Hans Trunk, Graziadei, and Dolf von Rudeen. Hofzinser Ring recipient 1933-35, its first. Voted an absentee member of the New York "Inner Circle" by 1940. Suffered under Nazi regime, his wife being a Jewess. 1993 SAM Hall of Fame. Author of several books in German: Hofzinser Kartenkünste, Hofzinser Zauberkünste, 10 Muster Programme, Als ich zauberte..., Europäische Magie, Die wichtigsten Kunstgriffe des Kartenkünstlers, Aus Eins mach Zehn, Das Wunderbuch der Zauberkunst.
Coauthors: Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser, Richard Hatch, Sam Sharpe