Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ guest wanted $6,000 for his ‘vampire defense kit’ — Rick Harrison paid him $16,000 (marketrealist.com)
Las Vegas – A “vampire defense kit” recently surfaced on the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” fetching a hefty price tag. While the practicality of such a kit in the modern world is questionable, its historical significance caught the eye of Rick Harrison.
The kit, purportedly dating back to the 19th century, contained items like holy water, wooden stakes, and silver objects—all tools traditionally associated with vampire lore. A letter inside, dated 1890, added to its authenticity. The seller initially hoped for $6,000, but an expert appraised the kit at a much higher value, noting a similar kit recently sold at auction for $25,000.
This revelation prompted Harrison to offer $16,000, a significant increase from the seller’s initial asking price. The expert attributed the kit’s value to the Victorian era’s fascination with spirituality and the occult, explaining that belief in vampires was surprisingly prevalent among society’s elite.
While the kit’s overall value is linked to its historical context, individual items within it, such as Victorian pistols and a silver dagger, likely contributed to its high appraisal. Although Harrison may not have initially intended to spend so much, calling in the expert ultimately prevented him from making a potentially significant profit, though he secured a unique piece of history.