by Amanda Angeli » Jun 27th, '07, 21:29
Hello Samstorey,
Sadly, the book you are talking about, Techniques of the Professional Pickpocket is indeed challenging to get. Unless, you happened to buy it when it was put out by Loompanics like I did. I was lucky.
The two large book publishers of, well, how shall we say this, unusual arts, were Loompanics and Paladin Press. Both, American publishers.
I have two pickpocketing books for my Stage Pickpocket Act (see guys, I'm not only about Illusions like some of you may think). One is the one we are talking about, Techniques of the Professional Pickpocket. The other is The Professional Stage Pickpocket. Both are, at least in my opinion, wonderful books with all kinds of ideas.
The thing about a book though, just like any form of learning, is that it is really up to the individual what you get out of it. If you read books like these simply at face value, you can learn a lot, sure, but if you add a bit of imagination, well then, goodness, all kinds of interesting things can happen.
Take for example my situation. I have a Magic Workshop that is out in a barn. Yes, right out of the movie The Illusionist. And in it I have the tools of my trade, including workout equipment such as ropes and such. Now, how does this relate to pickpocket arts? Well, by hanging hooks all over the walls and stringing rope up in a 3-dimensional spider web sort of effect, I can have a wonderful training area to practice all kinds of wonderful arts. Simply hanging bells and jingles all over the ropes makes it very challenging to move through the room and then using dummies made of vests with lots of pockets strung with bells and such as well as fake arms, pants, and purses, I have a huge training hall for Stage Pickpocket training.
Now since I like the physical aspects of training, I really enjoy practicing such skills but in order to develop a stage act, you need a lot more than just physical dexterity. You need an idea for the show. A reason, if you want to think of it that way. And that's where the book the Professional Stage Pickpocket comes in. It is a wonderful book filled with interesting information.
Pickpocketing is a fascinating art that I first got interested in from reading Dickens, of course. And, from that author I got the idea of making a pickpocket danger room to train in. And that is precisely what I have done.
There are good books and videos out there. And, it is a fascinating Stage art.
Good luck. Oh, and, keep it legal.
So, would I buy the book for several hundred dollars? Well, knowing me, if I felt I needed it for my act, yes, because I would see it as an investment. But is it worth that much? That fully depends on the buyer and what you intend to do with it.
Love,
Amanda Angeli