A vampire hunting we will go.....

If you've got any vampire concerns this little item may be of interest. Left to a Yorkshire women by a member of her family it's a deluxe hunting box of any stylish vampire slayer. Estimated to have been made in the late 1800's and possible inspired by Bram Stoker's epic novel Dracula in 1897.

The box contains;

A crucifix

Pistol

Wooden stakes and a mallet

Glass bottle of holy water

Glass bottle of holy earth

Glass bottle of garlic

Rosary beads 

A book of Common Prayer dated from 1857

A handwritten extract from the Bible which quotes Luke 19.27 and reads

"But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, 

bring hither, and slay them before me"

The box and it's contents have been put up for auction at Oonagh Drage of Tennants Auctioneers in Layburn, North Yorkshire. The setting for the auction in Yorkshire seems most appropriate given that many of the scenes from Bram Stoker's novel were set in the Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby. If you feel like making a bid though you may need deep pockets, there is international as well as local interest and the box is expected to go for £1,500. to £2,000.

More information is on the BBC News website here

Editing to add that the box eventually sold for £7,500. Information on the sale is here.