Vampire Hunting Kit

Artist Stéphane Nguyen Van Gioi created this vampire hunting kit for an upcoming murder mystery event.  It's a nicely done bit of assemblage, and the vampire illustration is great.

 

Vampire Hunting Kit Truth in Advertising

All vampire hunting kits are fake.

By that I mean all of them are modern, 20th century assemblage pieces.  Despite claims to the contrary, there's no evidence they existed before the first ones appeared in London back in the 1970s.  That's why I was so happy to see the description of this kit auctioned off by Sotheby's.  It accurately describes the contents of the kit, but doesn't make any false claims about provenance or authenticity.

A Vampire Slaying Kit, 20th Century and Later, comprising a variety of articles, including a velvet-lined wooden chest with a padlock and key, two removable gilt metal sconces, two replica pistols, a pocket Bible, a strand of rosary beads, six wooden stakes, seven crucifixes, one with a carved bone handle, one silvered pendant, and thirty-three glass vials. The vials bearing paper labels, most empty, one containing coyote teeth.

height 11 in.; width 26 in.; depth 15 ½ in. 27.9 cm; 66 in.; 39.4 cm

Originating from Eastern European folklore and disseminated throughout Europe when the Habsburg Empire invaded Serbia in 1718, the legend of vampires has captivated the cultural imagination for centuries. From the publication of Polidori’s “The Vampyre” in 1819 to Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula film in 1992, the fascination with vampires has persisted to the present day as a continual source of inspiration for Hollywood. 

There has been debate regarding the origin of vampire slaying kits. While some vampirists claim such kits were common in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, they were more likely assembled following the publication of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula in 1897 and marketed to travelers visiting eastern Europe. This unique and extensive kit contains a variety of curios, some associated, from wooden weapons to religious artifacts, equipping its owner with all the necessary tools to ward off or perhaps even slay vampires. Other examples of such kits, varying in size and contents, have been acquired by cultural institutions including the Royal Armouries in Leeds and the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

This is how every single kit should be described. They are definitely works of art, with the finest examples using carefully chosen period items to increase the verisimilitude, but any assertions they date to the 18th or 19th centuries are dishonest.

 

Vampire Hunting Kit

This fun little vampire hunting kit comes to us from Morsoth.  Unfortunately, the coolest part of it isn't visible at first glance.

In addition to the usual implements of vampiric destruction the kit includes a collection of paper props including labels, packaging, maps, woodcuts, and a full copy of the "Vampyre Hunter's Handbook".  Even better, all of those documents and associated ephemera are available for download.  Just click through and scroll through the gallery.  Morsoth's generosity is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to bang out a kit of their own.

Vampire Hunting Kit

This fun little vampire hunting kit comes to us from artist Silke Huijink.

High Stakes

This selection of vampire killing stakes comes to us from artist Tracy L. Conway.

Tools of the Trade

This nicely done collection of vampire hunting tools comes to us from Dr. John D.

Tools of the Trade

Sean Hathaway brings us this nicely done tableaux of vampire hunting accoutrements.  Remember kids, you want a stake that's slim enough to slip between the ribs.

The Impaler

This massive 16" vampire killing stake comes to us from Fringe Walker Studios.  When you absolutely, positively don't want them getting up out of that casket ever again.

The Fakest of Fake Vampire Killing Kits Sells. Or Does It?

The long saga of the worlds fakest vampire killing kit entered a new era yesterday. Earlier this month I pointed out that it was once again up for sale. Yesterday it hit the auction block and sold...maybe.

The item listing on Ebay is very strange. According to the bid history a single person bid twelve times and ended up winning with a final bid of $1,100.

What makes that even more unusual is that Sterling Associates had another vampire killing kit up for bid at exactly the same time. This one is pretty nice, in contrast to the sloppy work on the other one. Surprisingly enough, the exact same bidder made exactly the same number of bids and won with exactly the same high bid of $1,100.

The weird bid pattern may be a normal part of auctions taking bids from Ebay and a live venue at the same time. That said, I suspect we'll be seeing both of these kits again.

The Fakiest of Fake Vampire Hunting Kits is Back!

Three years ago I ragged on Sterling Associates for fronting one of the fakest vampire hunting kits ever committed to auction.

Now it's back.  Clearly, the original buyer wasn't happy after getting physical possession of their prize.  Were they upset about chair legs being passed off as "hand carved stakes"?  The apparent flame-thrower that scorched the entire interior of the box without leaving a mark on the exterior?  The obvious letter opener blade being used as a dagger?  The upholstery tacks nailed into everything?

Who can say?

What we can see is that the sponsor of this auction is, quite intentionally, making sure there aren't any detailed pictures of the interior.  Their disclaimer has also expanded considerably:

STERLING ASSOCIATES STRIVES TO PROVIDE ACCURATE, OBJECTIVE, FAIR INFORMATION ON ALL LOTS. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS. WE ADVISE THAT YOU, OR SOMEONE ON YOUR BEHALF, INSPECT ANY ITEM(S) AND COME TO YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS BEFORE BIDDING. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE SEE TERMS CONDITIONS.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to sell a vampire hunting kit. They are, quite literally, works of art. What's dishonest and unethical is trying to pass them off as actual period artifacts instead of evocative assemblage pieces.  Leaving yourself wiggle room to fleece the unsuspecting and gullible is equally odious.

The Borgerding Vampire Hunting Kit

Rich Penn Auctions is offering up this Vampire Hunting Kit from the collection of the late Dick Borgerding.  Bidding is currently up to $1600, sans buyers premium.

Vampire kit, wood & leather case w/ornate brass hardware, wolf's head & crossbow, interior sections hold wood arrows, prayer book dated 1914, crucifix, rosary, candle stands, double-barrel percussion pistol, lead balls, bullet mold, powder horn, skull bottle, bone pocket knife, silver match holder, hypodermic needle, holy water bottle, coffin nails & much more, probably early 1900's, all VG cond, case 10"H x 12.5"W x 10"D; top crossbow 18"L x 15"W.

On the bright side, they aren't claiming it's an authentic kit or offering up a definitive date of manufacture.  Given that many of the individual pieces probably do date back to the late 1800s or early 1900s the bid price isn't too out of line, but does seem a bit high.  If the after-market hinges hadn't been attached over the decorative scrollwork I'd be a bit more enthusiastic about its quality.

Vintage Burglar's Tools

Cornell University has digitized a huge number of journals and magazines from the late 1800s. One of the more interesting articles to be found in the collection is this look at professional burglary tools from the May, 1874 issue of "Manufacturer and Builder".  It's a fascinating look at just how technically proficient a skilled thief could be.

From a propmaking perspective at least a few of these tools should be included in any vintage vampire hunting kit.  The genre-defining kit carried by Van Helsing was filled with this kind of stuff.

"Then he fumbled in his bag, and taking out a matchbox and a piece of candle, proceeded to make a light."

"Another search in his bag, and he took out a turnscrew."

"He only said, "You shall see,"and again fumbling in his bag took out a tiny fret saw. Striking the turnscrew through the lead with a swift downward stab, which made me wince, he made a small hole, which was, however, big enough to admit the point of the saw."

 "First he took out a soldering iron and some plumbing solder, and then small oil lamp, which gave out, when lit in a corner of the tomb, gas which burned at a fierce heat with a blue flame, then his operating knives, which he placed to hand, and last a round wooden stake, some two and a half or three inches thick and about three feet long. One end of it was hardened by charring in the fire, and was sharpened to a fine point. With this stake came a heavy hammer, such as in households is used in the coal cellar for breaking the lumps."

Part of Stoker's genius is that he realized the hammer and stakes were just one small part of what a vampire hunter would need.  Getting access to the monster, by breaking into a crypt and then a sealed coffin, required careful planning and the appropriate tools.

Modern Vampire Killing Stake

Hacksaw007 of the Lumberjocks forum brings us this modern vampire killing stake made from laminated wood.  The traditional stake is a classic, but this one has the benefit of being able to tackle multiple hemophagic species.  Some are vulnerable to oak, some to ash...with a laminate you can cover all the bases. 

The Avner Vampire Killing Kit

Over the weekend Kaminski Auctions offered up this vampire hunting kit at an estate sale.

Rare mid 19th century vampire slaying kit, hand made brass inlaid plate inscribed "Nosferatu," includes: two crucifixes, assorted Bibles, hand forged knife with bone handle, wooden mallet with wooden stakes, two sets of rosary beads, pinfire pistol, eight bottles of holy water, garlic, six silver bullets, and mirror, 6" h x 17" w x 11 1/2" d. Provenance: From the personal lifetime collection of Mark Avner of Lake Worth, FL and Buffalo, NY.

Surprisingly, it appears it didn't receive a single bid.  I have a feeling collectors are finally realizing all of these kits are fake.  It's certainly fair that the creators make a reasonable amount of money, but  the days of Blomberg-style kits going for tens of thousands of dollars at auction are over. 

Vampire Killing Kit Auction

Jackson's auction house in Cedar Falls is offering up this vampire hunting kit on November 18th.

AN INTERESTING VAMPIRE KILLING KIT. Over 20 various weapons and related tools and accessories including stakes, carved mallet, black powder pistol, powder horn, spy glass, crucifixes and other items contained in a distressed fitted wooden case. Length 17.5 inches (42 cm), height 7.5 inches (19 cm), depth 11.75 inches (30 cm).

Estimate $800 – $1,200
Starting Bid $600

Notice what's missing from the item description? No claims of authoritative dating or provenance. They're to be commended for acting ethically and responsibly. Vampire killing kits are wonderful collectibles, but any assertions that they're "authentic" or have a documented date of manufacture are deceptive at best.

On a related note, "Antiques Roadshow" regular Ken Farmer is retiring from the auctions business. An interview in "Antiques and the Arts" includes this tidbit:

Q: Any interesting anecdotes from your Antiques Roadshow appearances?

A: One of the funniest things happened during my first or second season working in decorative arts, where a lady brought in a fitted mahogany case, describing it as a “vampire killing kit.” I had never seen one, so I went around to the various tables asking for opinions. She followed me around and ended up cussing a blue streak when one of the manuscript guys pointed out that the label on the box was laser-printed. We ended up not filming that segment.

Discworld Reincorporation Kit

We've seen dozens upon dozens of vampire killing kits, but what if you need to save one of them?

Discworld vampires can survive in sunlight, provided they wear heavy clothes and broad-rimmed hats. If one is ever exposed to direct sunlight, he or she will be immediately reduced to ashes, but requires merely a drop of blood to recorporate. Many vampires carry a dustpan and brush, along with a helpful explanatory card, to aid bystanders in that task.

Blad at the Replica Prop Forum brings us a nicely done recreation of said tools.  I'd love to see someone build on this concept and create a full blown "Vampire Healing Kit" for use by Renfields.

Try, Try Again

Don Presley Auctions of Santa Ana, California is offering up this vampire killing kit, valued at $8000-$12,000, in an upcoming auction.  Curiously, it appears to be the exact same one they were offering last year.  To their considerable credit, no claims of provenance or authenticity are attached to the offering.

I'm definitely not an expert on vintage firearms, but I'm curious why percussion caps would be included for use with a flintlock pistol.

Just look at that beautiful, dark ink.  It looks like it was printed just yesterday.

Ah, the infamous "Blomberg" text.  In beautiful, fully saturated ink.  Just look at those wonderful fonts!  They must have taken a professional printer quite a bit of time to set by hand, although I'm surprised he didn't catch the missing "c" in "effiently".  The mold (?) patterns seem a bit strange as well.  What's really weird is that the colors almost exactly match what it would look like if someone sponged the page with raw umber and burnt umber pigments.  Odd, that.

As a reminder, this is valued at $8000 to $12,000.  With a minimum bid of $4500.

High Stakes

I'm in the process of doing a bigger, better version of the mummified vampire heart from a few years ago.  Here's what the original looked like: 

For the new version I want the display to look a little more vampire huntery, if you will.   That means a more stylized stake instead of the World War 1 era tent peg used in the original.  Here's the new stake, all fresh and shiny.  It's turned from oak and measures approximately 14" in length.

As with the original it's a narrow shape designed to slip between the ribs, but the profile is longer and slightly wider.  That means some tweaks to the original mummfied heart.  The general shape and surface texture is fine, but I'll have to reshape the channel where the stake pierces through the tissue. Once I know the new stake will nestle inside that opening I can finish the surface treatment.  That involves a layer of schmutz and some mild bloodstains along the section imbedded in the heart.

Vampire Killing for Fun and, Mostly, Profit.

It was just a matter of time before the market was flooded with craptastic vampire hunting kits.

The large sums fetched at auction in the past have proven to be an irresistible lure to a variety of "artists" and their enablers in the antiques trade.  Sadly, the level of craftsmanship is absolutely appalling, particularly given the prices their sponsors are projecting.

Lets take a look at one of the current offerings from Sterling Associates of Closter, New Jersey.  This particular piece has a starting bid of $5000 and is described as:

19th Century European Vampire hunting kit in wood coffin box . Complete with hand carved wood stakes, holy water, garlic and much more. Length: 61 1/2", Height: 14 3/4", Depth: 26"

19th Century?  Really?  Given the total lack of provenance for the piece that's an impressive claim.  Even more so when one discovers that Sterling Associates has, somehow, been able to uncover a hidden stash of vampire killing kits.  How else can we explain the steady stream of such items they've been presenting at auction?

What's that you say?  Perhaps I'm being cynical?  You may have a point, my friend.  After all, just look at the craftsmanship of this kit.  Note the smoothly planed wood, the expert joinery, the rich, buttery finish.  It truly is a beautiful antique.

Now lets take a look inside and SWEET FANCY FREAKIN' MOSES.  What the hell is this?  What happened to the fantastic craftsmanship?  It's almost as if  some hack took a well done period box and took a big, steaming crap inside of it. 

Wait, it's worse than that.  They not only filled it with crap, but they went out of their way to actually ruin the interior of that wonderful box we saw up above.  Just take a look at the horrific "aging treatment" on display.  Randomly placed gouges.  Identical, repetitive tool marks (almost certainly the flat of a screwdriver and an awl point).  Flame aging the wood with, apparently, an industrial plasma torch. 

And the ax?  Nothing says "cool vampire killing tool" like tiger stripes.  Or a half-assed attempt at flame aging.  Take your pick.

Looks like interior of the lid was lucky enough to escape with only a quick pass of the blowtorch.  Unfortunately, the master craftsman who did the joinery for the exterior of the box appears to have thrown up his hands and just given up when he did the interior work.  After poking some random pieces of softwood with an awl be nailed it all together with...upholstery tacks.

And what are these...things?  Wooden stabbing knives?  With a vanishingly thin blade that would  snap if  you poked it against skin?

Somebody took a torch to Jesus.  Say what you will about the Romans, but they had some craftsmanship.  When they nailed someone to the cross they used real iron spikes, not stamped brass decorative tacks sourced from China. 

Take a good, long look at this picture.  Somebody saw a gorgeous, vintage wooden box and said to themselves "I really need to ruin this thing by gouging the hell out of it".  To make it even more egregious, they thought it would be a good idea to do all this hackery to the interior of the box. 

And what's up with the letter opener?

"I know!  I'll brutally gouge and flame age this piece of wood and then I'll glue a random map of Transylvania to it!  Spooky, spooky!"  Also, brass stuff. 

Take one glass apothecary jar.  Seal it with wax.  Watch with dismay as the seal breaks.  Every.  Single.  Time.

There's a reason glass on glass stoppers were sealed with resin products like pitch or shellac. 

Vampire Killing Kit ProTip:  Just because you buy upholstery tacks in 100 piece lots doesn't mean you have to use every single one of them.

I have no experience killing actual vampires, but I would think you would want your stakes to be easy to use.  Grab mallet...tap, tap...dead vampire.  Making the head of the mallet as narrow as physically possible would, I think, complicate the process.  As would adding a carved lion finial from a restoration hardware store to the top of the stake.

This kit is a terrible piece of work, and I don't say that lightly.  If  you go back through the archives you'll find this is the first time I've ragged on the quality of a prop.*   Given the over reliance on flame aging, the hack weathering treatment, and the geographic area involved I have a pretty good idea of who did it.  They, and their sponsors in the antiques and auction community, should be ashamed that this is being offered up for sale.


* Other than criticism of my own stuff.   I'll show work that sucks because there's something to be gained by pointing out why it's bad.  I know I'm a hack, and hopefully others can learn from my mistakes.

Vampire Killing Kit, Christie's, London

Kudos to Christie's London for their honesty in the catalog listing for this vampire killing kit:

A VAMPIRE KILLING KIT

19th Century box with later additions

Containing crucifix and four stakes, Bible from 1873, European single- barrel percusion-box lock pocket pistol, iron-mounted shot flask, bullet mould, syringe, photograph of a priest, four vials and another crucifix, all of various dates from the nineteenth to late twentieth centuries.

 To clarify the contents of the box were assembled in the second half of the 20th century.