POTD: A Bleeding Scam – Professor Blomberg Vampire Killing Kit
Sam.S 09.20.22
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have the lesser-known snake oil of the 1800s and early 1900s. This is a Professor Blomberg Vampire Killing Kit. These were in fact put together and sold by Ernst Blomberg so that civilians traveling to Eastern Europe had a way to defend themselves from the vampiric forces of evil!!! Or at least I am sure that is somewhat how the sales pitch went. Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula was not published until 1897 but the idea of demons that drank blood was a familiar tale and it had heavy roots in the far east. These Professor Blomberg Vampire Killing Kits came in different shapes and sizes and held various contents. Typical things like a bottle of holy water, a crucifix, and a stake were often included. Then there was the occasional small pistol (I have even seen ring pistol kits) or even a poison blow dart included in an “assassin’s” kit. Obviously, enough people ate up these Professor Blomberg Vampire Killing Kits because there are quite a few around today.
“These kits were assembled in the 20th century using a mix of original antique, modified, and modern components. This one has a label discussing the kit’s use and noting that “Professor Blomberg wishes to announce his grateful thanks to that well known gunmaker of Liege, Nicholas Plomdeur whose help in the compiling of this special items, the silver bullets &c., has been most efficient.” The case contains Belgian pocket pistol, a ball mold, multiple balls, a cap tin, powder flask, carved crucification, small cross pendant, Lord’s Prayer, German document, a wooden stake, and phials labeled for “Professor Blomberg’s New Serum,” brimstone, garlic powder, and holy water.”
Lot 2269: Cased “Vampire Killing Kit” with Percussion Pocket Pistol – Cased “Vampire Killing Kit” with Liege Proofed Boxlock Percussion Pocket Pistol. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved September 19, 2022, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1041/2269/cased-vampire-killing-kit-with-percussion-pocket-pistol.
