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Friday, October 31, 2003At Southerby's they recently sold a vampire killing kit for 12,000 dollars. It was a 20th century item, they think it was put together as sort of a tourist trap souvenier...this is from the AP wire report....and since I saw this on AOL, I'm not sure if everyone can access a link, so I'll just cut and paste the best part... "The kit, a walnut box that also contained a crucifix, a pistol, a rosary and vessels for garlic powder and various serums, was bought by an anonymous phone bidder. According to Sotheby's, some experts believe that such kits were commonly available to travelers in Eastern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, while others think the kits were made in the early 20th century, possibly to cash in on interest in vampires sparked by the 1897 publication of Bram Stoker's "Dracula." Elaine Whitmire, head of 19th century furniture for Sotheby's, said she believes the kit was assembled in the early 20th century and sold to travelers as a souvenir. "My opinion is this is a memento that you bought while you were in Europe," she said. "I doubt it was cheap to buy." A label on the kit says: "This box contains the items considered necessary for persons who travel into certain little known countries of Eastern Europe where the populace are plagued with a particular manifestation of evil known as Vampires." The vampire killing kit was part of Sotheby's sale of 19th century furniture and decorative works of art. The auction house did not identify the seller of the kit. The price includes Sotheby's auction house's commission." Happy Halloween, late, but better than never. :D Permalink Cindy scribed this at 10:50 PM 0 comments |