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Hi, I'm performing magic for about 2 years now, and I want something new, so I decided to study pickpocketing and body loading.
I am totally a beginner in this area so I decided to search books (which I think is better than DVDs when you're beginning in something, maybe I'm wrong).
So, after searching a bit I found these three books that apparently are "best" than the others.
But I can just buy one of them...
So I'm here to ask which book should I buy: Jim Ravel's Theatrical Pickpocket, Pierre Jacques "Complete Course in pick pocketing" or Ricki Dunn's Professional Stage Pickpocket?
What are the differences between then? which one contain more tips in misdirection? which one is "best" for beginners? Which one should I buy and why?


Please help me,
Thank you

Normally I would echo the idea of books over video but not so much in this case; first hand experience is always best but video will do. Steven's Magic had a nine part series I believe it was, on Pick-Pocket work about a year or two back, you may want to touch base with them and see if it's still available (you could buy it one lesson at a time). There's some other material out there and if you can read French, I believe Majax put out a book back in the 80's, and he was absolutely awesome. . . his work as a Pick-Pocket and magician made him the French equivalent to David Copperfield for a couple of years.

Ricky Dunn put out a book a few years ago but I know that a huge part of his original act was based on the Kirkham act (they came to physical blows a few times because of it). I'll warn you however, if he comes clean on this point he'll have to tell you that there's a very big cheat involved that's been used for generations by some of the biggest names going. It will certainly surprise and more than likely disappoint you (as it does most).

Needless to say, there are dozens of You Tube fools teaching this, hypnosis methods, and 1001 other things for free should you be willing to endure the pain of watching them.

I think Ricky Dunn's book is the best one by far on pickpocketing. And I say that even if you never pick a pocket in your life. There are priceless tips on how to handle volunteers, stagecraft and the best way to handle stooges. And the anecdotes are terrific. I can highly recommend this book.

I have a dvd by James Freedman called Stealing the show, it's only one DVD, but it contains a wealth of information & it gives it a very usable manner.

Thank you all for the replys!
And about the Jim Ravel's, that apollo robbins recommended?

@Craig Browning:
- What would be this "cheat"? I'm praying that it isn't stooges...

leo--br wrote:Thank you all for the replys!
And about the Jim Ravel's, that apollo robbins recommended?

@Craig Browning:
- What would be this "cheat"? I'm praying that it isn't stooges...

Instant Stooges! One of the biggest fall backs used by the majority of your big name pick-pockets. . . sorry about that.

As an introduction to Pickling Pockets--look up the Eddie Joseph Book..'How To Pick Pockets'
Small neat and a good intro to the subject

The I think I would go for the Mark Raffles book/video.

Eddie Joseph also write a book entitled--' The Art of Body Loading & Productions'--1950--40 pages.

Allen Tipton

Virtually every stage pickpocket uses stooges. Big names too. And they aren't all instant either! And none of them admit it...........................

mark lewis wrote:Virtually every stage pickpocket uses stooges. Big names too. And they aren't all instant either! And none of them admit it...........................

We'll ignore the shirt steal in this case

Even the most skillful pickpockets use stooges. Both Harry Blackstone Sr and Jr did a terrific pickpocket routine and the whole thing relied on the stooge principle. You can indeed work without stooges but it can be quite unreliable. Ricky Dunn was famous for showing up at the venue early. I suspect arranging for stooges was part of it. As Billy McComb remarked pickpockets would always show up early at venues to "fix the horses"

If you can borrow a copy of
Mortimer's Magic Magazine.
No. 2
Published by Jim Klein 1989

on pages 40 & 41

there is a great stooge 'Pickpocketing For Magicians'-(just a spectator before your show)
which has possibilities. Very entertaining.

it is by Martini--Delta ,PA--and was originally in his 'Martini's Lecture Notes No. 13'

Well worth a look at

Allen Tipton