World’s largest collection of Vampire killing kits

December 7, 2009 5:28 PM

In the mid 1800s, vampire-fearing people traveling to Eastern Europe bought and carried with them, Vampire killing kits.

Containing items such as a wooden stake, a crucifix, a bible, garlic, various potions and even pistols with lead bullets, they offered the best protection possible from the blood-sucking undead.

Despite people nowadays being less likely to want to kill vampires - either thinking the don't exist, or (thanks to Twilight New Moon they) more likely to want to make them their soul-mate - demand has stayed high for the kits.

Some, which can be over 200-years-old, have sold for sums up to £10,000. But now Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museums have announced that they have the world’s largest collection of authentic Vampire killing kits, with 30 in total.

So, should the blood-sucking pale-faced ones start an uprising, you know where to find us. Click through to see some of the Vampire killing kits.

"Vampire kits are very rare. There are maybe a handful of them outside of Ripley’s and we’d like to acquire those as well," said Edward Meyer VP of Exhibits and Archives for the company- who keeps an eye out for Vampire kits at auction, on eBay and at antique shops.

"They are very popular exhibits at our museums, especially now that there is so much interest in vampires in the media."