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Karl Schröder

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Karl Schröder, a bank employee and hobby magician living in Hamburg, Germany, is the founder of the "Magische Zirkel von Deutschland" (MZvD). He also gave the circle its name, against some resistance (others preferred names like "Spiritistischer Zirkel").

BornDecember 8, 1876
DiedJuly 25, 1960 (age 83)
NationalityGerman
Known forFounder of the "Magische Zirkel von Deutschland"

The circle was founded May 8, 1912. Apart from Schröder eight founder members participated this occasion. Schröder became their first president. The periodical Magie was founded by him in 1918. A first "International Magic Congress" was held in 1931. World War I interrupted the circle work occasionally.

His presidency ended 1924 but in 1928 he became president again. In 1936 the MZvD was integrated in the "Reichsfachschaft Artistik" of the "Reichstheaterkammer" which was controlled by the Nazi dictatorship. The new presidency was given to Helmut Schreiber (aka Kalanag). Photographs turned up which show Helmut Schreiber associated with Nazis like Bohrmann, Göring, and Hitler himself.

In 1946, after World War II, Karl Schröder tried to revive the "Magischen Zirkel" and it was accepted in the Britische Zone of Hamburg as registered society.

In 1949 Emil Thoma founded in Munich a second circle which was a heavy blow for Schröder, by then he was age 72 years. Schröders circle was by then registered under "Magischen Zirkel Hamburg e.V.", Thoma’s under "Magischen Zirkel von Deutschland". Later the two circles merged into the today’s organization and Schröder became its chairman by seniority.

The Triberg Congress in 1954 was the last Schröder participated in spite of his undermined health. Schröder died July 25, 1960.