Under-the-hammer horror as anti-vampire kit for sale

It comes complete with a percussion cap pistol, glass vials of holy water, garlic paste, a steel bullet mould, a mallet and four oak stakes – all carefully crafted to offer the best protection against any 19th century creatures of the night.

Despite being able to tell it was created in the late 1890s, the auctioneer from Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, Oonagh Dragbe, says there is no sign of blood on the stakes and the garlic and holy water have never been used.

“I would say it’s been commissioned by someone. I’ve never anything like it and I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years,” she said.

“Bram Stoker did Dracula in the 1890s and maybe the idea came from that. There was an interest in vampires and the supernatural at that time – perhaps they were playing with people’s superstitions.”

The box was given to the vendor by a rich uncle, who died.

“I don’t know if he really believed in vampires or whether he bought it as a curiosity,” the auctioneer said.

“He collected some very strange objects. I think there were a few weird and wonderful things, including many books on the occult. He was a very eccentric man.

“The vendors have kept one set and sold one for £5,000, and while the one we have was in the best condition it does have a pistol in it and they didn’t want that in the house.”

The casket is said to contain a “percussion cap pistol with octagonal steel barrel, foliate etched box lock and walnut bag butt”, as well as a steel bullet mould.

There is a set of rosary beads, three glass bottles containing holy water, holy earth and garlic, and a book of common prayer dated 1857.

All are contained in a blue velvet lined mahogany casket and the inner cover is set with a gilt metal and mahogany crucifix, the silver lock “escutcheon” in the form of a cross.

It is estimated to sell for between £1,200 and £2,000 and is on display in Harrogate until the sale, which will be in Leyburn on June 22.

The auctioneer added: “I’m not sure who will buy it as we are yet to put it on the internet. I know there are quite a few Americans who are interested in this kind of thing.

“I have to say I can’t place it with any of our customers but I’m sure somebody will want such an unusual piece.”