Cool Stuff

I enjoy collecting rare books and oddities. Modern bookshops like Waterstones are pretty dreadful for psychology or subconscious psychology books – the modern stuff is very watered down, superficial and naff. Some of the older stuff though is excellent. Even on Amazon some of the best books (like Milton Erickons Hypnotic Realities, and other works) are difficult to get hold of. One of my favourite ‘general reading’ hypnosis books is Robert Temple’s Open To Suggestion which is still quite available on abebooks I think.

Below are some various bits and bobs that people interested in hypnosis or NLP might find interesting (everyone else will probably just think its a bit geeky and odd).

This was from meeting Derren in Plymouth (I met him twice in all, and he’s a thoroughly decent chap).

This rarity book always fetches over £100 on ebay. The dedication reads “To my splendid friend Richard Pope, who understands what I mean about standards.” Derrens books, including Absolute Magic and the more widely available ‘Tricks of the Mind’ are excellent reads and very witty.

An original Radiotimes from 1960 – this is the guy who inspired Derren Brown (interestingly, slightly similar pose to Mind Reader). The card he thinks you’re thinking of here is 5 of Spades. I have a rare episode of his, and his blend of showmanship, trickery and charm is very Derren Brownish. Excellent stuff. Chan, like Derren, was also a painter.

Chan Canasta’s Book of Oopses – a collection of mind puzzles and visual tricks. Insanely rare, I once saw an unsigned tatty copy sell for over £300. Derren said he’ll buy it if its ever for sale.

Dave Elman was a great down-to-earth hypnotist and hero of mine, with a fascinating life story. He taught hypnosis to thousands of doctors. He got involved with the CIA after seeing a light flashing from a highrise office in a skyscraper opposite his radio building in Manhattan (where he hosted a show called ‘Hobby Lobby’). He was also raised in Fargo (same one as the Coen brothers movie). Gil Boyne was a keen follower of Elman, and later published his book and seminars. When Gil moved from California to London I sent him a rare framed print of Elman as a house warming gift, and Gil said on the phone “who was that fella in the photo?” I was amazed that despite selling all his stuff, he didn’t know what he looked like.

Virginia Satir – one of the three was who studied for the development of NLP (the others were Milton Erickson who I’m a keen fan of, and Fritz Perls, tbe daddy of Gestalt psychology).

I bought this Bandler (NLP) signed copy for 75p in a charity shop. It says “Time 4 knew thoughts”. More like time for a new book (I think most Bandler stuff is over-hyped bullshit, with the exception of Trance Formations).

This original news-sheet is full of great retro pics, and is framed on the wall. There’s even a section on animal hypnosis.

Some cool pics from one of many retro hypnosis books. The whited out faces make it look quite eerie and esoteric. Retro hypno books are great, and always have delightful covers.

A 1900 edition of Trilby, with the original pictures drawn by the author, George Du Maurier.

A rare hardback edition of the rare classic book “Trance Formations”. NLPers get all wet about this book, although I must admit it is great.

William Krogers excellent book signed to someone called Mirella. If I ever have a daughter, I think I will call her Mirella.

This book was the start of ideo-motor signalling being used as an indicator of subconscious processes.

Andrew Newton trained Paul McKenna, which means nothing really. An interesting book though, very down to earth.

Excellent book, and super-rare. I love that the author John “Jack” Watkins signed this to one of the people who worked at the hospital where the patients from the books case studies were.

Great hypnotic poster for a great film by Chris Nolan (The Dark Knight), this is framed in my living room. Modern movies are very hit-and-miss, but The Prestige is a terrifically directed film, very intricate, thematic and intelligent. Its one of my all time favourites. I saw it for the first time at Okehamptons great little cinema. I loved that Thom Yorke’s ‘Analyse’ is used in the end credits.