Saturday, November 4, 2017

The Fakiest of Fake Vampire Hunting Kits is Back!

Three years ago I ragged on Sterling Associates for fronting one of the fakest vampire hunting kits ever committed to auction.


Now it's back.  Clearly, the original buyer wasn't happy after getting physical possession of their prize.  Were they upset about chair legs being passed off as "hand carved stakes"?  The apparent flame-thrower that scorched the entire interior of the box without leaving a mark on the exterior?  The obvious letter opener blade being used as a dagger?  The upholstery tacks nailed into everything?

Who can say?

What we can see is that the sponsor of this auction is, quite intentionally, making sure there aren't any detailed pictures of the interior.  Their disclaimer has also expanded considerably:
STERLING ASSOCIATES STRIVES TO PROVIDE ACCURATE, OBJECTIVE, FAIR INFORMATION ON ALL LOTS. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS. WE ADVISE THAT YOU, OR SOMEONE ON YOUR BEHALF, INSPECT ANY ITEM(S) AND COME TO YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS BEFORE BIDDING. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE SEE TERMS CONDITIONS.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to sell a vampire hunting kit. They are, quite literally, works of art. What's dishonest and unethical is trying to pass them off as actual period artifacts instead of evocative assemblage pieces.  Leaving yourself wiggle room to fleece the unsuspecting and gullible is equally odious.

3 comments:

  1. AGREED. You want an authentic vampire kit? Use real materials. You want an authentic vintage one? Pay allot or build one....and wait a long time.

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  2. They have another kit going as well. Looks better, but all the same criticisms apply.

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  3. Hilarious again.
    I recall this set being the ultimate reason I shelved my own kit project. Thinking like, if the, err, "market" has stagnated thusly, I want no part in it.
    However, seeing it again makes me think I should finish my old project since I could possibly do it, if not better, then at least with care and a bit of passion.

    What do y'all think?

    http://karbunkl.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/5/2/11526550/vampire-stakes_orig.jpg

    crappy pic, but the only one I have available at the moment. The brass hinges are there only to prevent the stakes from rolling away from the extremely slanted table.

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