Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson was gobsmacked when he saw a 19th century vampire slaying kit come into his auction room.
The bargain expert has examined tons of rare and unique items up for sale during his career on BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip.
However, he certainly didn’t count on seeing a 19th-century vampire slaying kit come through the door.
READ MORE: Bargain Hunt star makes history with most valuable item ever that avoided charity shop
When Charles isn’t filming new episodes of his hit BBC bargain shows, he runs his own auction room called Hansons Auctioneers.
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
The bizarre vampire kit, lot 174, was estimated to make between £2,000 and £3,000, but it ended up selling for much more.
In fact, the kit caused quite the stir in the auction room as it sparked a fierce bidding war between potential buyers before going for six times the original estimate.
Eventually, a private UK bidder splashed out on the vampire kit for a whopping £13,000.
The lockable box contained a range of tools and holy items designed to ward off vampires.
Two brass crucifixes could be seen on the lid, which acted as a secret sliding lock device.
(Image: Hansons)
Inside the box, you could find everything from more crucifixes to a Gothic bible, a stake, a wooden mallet, brass candlesticks, a rosary beads and a matching pair of pistols.
You could even read Metropolitan Police paperwork from the period.
All of the items sold at the auction were stamped with Lord Hailey’s initials and contained his name and address.
Charles said of the item: “Interest in this item ahead of auction, both from potential buyers and media outlets all over the world, was intense.
(Image: Hansons)
“It attracted strong advance bids. Nevertheless, the result exceeded all expectations.”
He went on: “Bids came in from across the globe including France, America and Canada – and the news story about the find went viral.
“It made headlines galore as far afield as Australia and America.
“Objects like this fascinate both collectors and people in general – and this vampire kit had particularly interesting provenance.”
(Image: BBC)
The auction buff later revealed that the objects belonged to a British peer called Lord Hailey, who was a former administrator of British India.
However, he wasn’t sure why the Lord owned the item, wondering if if could have been due to “fear or fascination”.
The owner of the vampire slaying kit hailed from Derbyshire and did not wish to be named, but they admitted they were “stunned” by the result of the auction.
They said they were fascinated by the iteams after finding them in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.
Hansons Auctioneers’ Fine Art Auction took place at Etwall Auction Centre in Derbyshire.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
