It was October of last year that my book, Vampires of Lore: Traits and Modern Misconceptions, was released. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of discussing vampire folklore on a variety of radio shows and podcasts. In those interviews, I sometimes discuss how I got started on the path of studying vampires. My inspiration came during a trip to New York City, when I saw a vampire killing kit on display! To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of my book, I wanted to share a picture of this mysterious object taken on that fateful day.
Vampire Killing Kit
This vampire killing kit is on display at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum in Times Square. As you can see, the box and its contents have an aged appearance. The contents include a cross, a stake, a pistol, various vials, and a mold for silver bullets. The label inside provides some information about the kit and indicates that it was created by a Professor Blomberg. The overall effect is very mysterious and quite striking. It’s just a fantastic piece.
In the Introduction to my book, I discuss how this kit got me on the path of researching vampire folklore. I also touch on some of the controversy surrounding the authenticity of vampire killing kits in general (as there are various ones in existence). If you’re curious to learn more about the folklore, legends, and historical accounts surrounding vampires, please check out some of my interviews and get a copy of my book, Vampires of Lore: Traits and Modern Misconceptions. Happy Halloween!
Written by A. P. Sylvia
