Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser

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Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser

Born	(1806-06-19)19 June 1806
Died	11 March 1875(1875-03-11) (aged 68)

Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser (19 June 1806 – 11 March 1875) was an Austrian-Hungarian magician and illusionist. He used the moniker "Dr. Hofzinser" as a stage name after retiring in 1865.^[1]

While he was a conjuror, Hofzinser became well for his inventions, in particular his automata, as well as for card manipulation.^[2]^: 96

Ottokar Fischer spread the story that upon his death in 1875, Hofzinser's wife destroyed many of his manuscripts to honor her husband's instructions though there is some dispute about this.^[3] Many of his mechanical plans and card-handling methods may forever remain a secret. Several of Hofzinser's pupils preserved portions of their teacher's notes and instructions. There are still about 270 manuscripts and letters of his own and of his pupils in various collections.^[4]

He is portrayed by Philip McGough, in the 2006 movie The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti.

References

^ "Life of Hofzinser". Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
^ Randi, James (1992). Conjuring. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-08634-2. OCLC 26162991.
^ "Life of Hofzinser". Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
^ "Life of Hofzinser". Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2022-03-24.