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Modern Mysteries

'Vampire-slaying kit' goes up for auction

By T.K. Randall
July 11, 2020 · Comment icon 11 comments

The perfect gift for the budding vampire slayer ? Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Musicalvienna
A Gothic-looking box full of vampire-slaying paraphernalia is expected to fetch a hefty sum at auction.
The fascinating kit, which is housed within an ornate metal-bound box, looks like something straight out of a movie - a treasure trove of tools designed to aid someone in the disposal of a vampire.

Inside can be found a bottle of shark's teeth, a rosary, a pair of pliers, a silver-bladed pocket knife, an ivory-robed wolf carrying rosary beads and a small blue phial containing a mystery substance.

It also contains an 1842 copy of the New Testament that happens to be inscribed with what is perhaps the only clue as to the origins of the box - the name Isabella Swarbric.

Other than that, little is known about the kit, who made it or where it came from.

"I have had it in my own collection for three years now," the owner said.
"I bought it from a large antiques fair in Newark-on-Trent. I loved the look of the Gothic box and, when I opened it, I just had to have it. I thought it was so interesting - a great conversation piece."

It is thought that the kit could fetch over $3,000 at auction.

"The task of killing a vampire was extremely serious and historical accounts suggested the need for particular methods and tools.," said Charles Hanson of Hansons Auctioneers.

"Items of religious significance, such as crucifixes and Bibles, were said to repel these monsters, hence their strong presence in the kit we have found."



Source: Sky News | Comments (11)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #2 Posted by acute 4 years ago
No mirror either! Firkin rip-off.
Comment icon #3 Posted by SecretSanta 4 years ago
Go to Etsy, you can find a bunch of these. https://www.etsy.com/listing/793828750/vampire-hunting-kit-red?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=vampire+hunting+kit&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&frs=1
Comment icon #4 Posted by Hankenhunter 4 years ago
That would go great with my anti-werewolf kit. (A bottle of Manitoba wood ticks)
Comment icon #5 Posted by Seti42 4 years ago
my anti-vampire kit contains K-pop albums, brightly colored sportswear, and DVDs of the High school Musical movies.
Comment icon #6 Posted by Bed of chaos 4 years ago
I saw a 'famous' vampire kit on Pawn Stars last week. This idea is probably trending. 
Comment icon #7 Posted by jethrofloyd 4 years ago
Alice Cooper has probably already bought this kit.
Comment icon #8 Posted by Jon the frog 4 years ago
If it's a real antique one it's kinda awesome, but like you said a lot of ''fresh'' ones are on the market...
Comment icon #9 Posted by Carnoferox 4 years ago
It's certainly modern and certainly not worth the appraised price. Vampire slaying kits weren't actually used in the 19th century. https://vamped.org/2014/10/31/6-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-buy-an-antique-vampire-killing-kit/ https://blog.royalarmouries.org/2016/10/31/object-of-the-month-october-the-vampire-killing-kit/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/vampire-hunting-kit-from-1800s/
Comment icon #10 Posted by Oniomancer 4 years ago
Yeah, it looks like something put together out of an old apothecary chest and some brickabrac. Used to see a lot like those on some of the old livejournal communities.  Heck, I've got an antique holy water bottle I almost kind of want to use in one.
Comment icon #11 Posted by Still Waters 4 years ago
Update:  The item was purchased by a private UK buyer. https://hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/blog/2020/07/mysterious-vampire-box-sparks-huge-interest-at-auction-and-finds-a-new-home


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