Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz auctioned for $28M US
The auction of the iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” made headlines as the winning bid reached $28 million US ($40 million Cdn). Heritage Auctions had initially estimated that the slippers would fetch $3 million US or more, but the bidding quickly escalated, surpassing all expectations.
The sparkly red heels were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 by Terry Jon Martin, who used a hammer to break into the display case. The whereabouts of the slippers remained a mystery until they were recovered by the FBI in 2018. Martin, who pleaded guilty to the theft, claimed he was misled about the value of the slippers and eventually got rid of them.
The slippers were returned to memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to the museum. Only four pairs of the iconic shoes worn by Garland during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz” are known to have survived. In the movie, Dorothy had to click her heels three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home,” to return from Oz to Kansas.
The auction also featured other memorabilia from “The Wizard of Oz,” including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who played the original Wicked Witch of the West. The hat sold for $2.4 million US.
The sale of the ruby slippers set a new record for entertainment memorabilia, surpassing the previous record of $5.52 million US for the white dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in a famous scene. The excitement surrounding the auction reflects the enduring popularity of “The Wizard of Oz,” which has recently gained new attention with the release of the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
The auction drew over 800 bidders, with the Judy Garland Museum among those vying to bring the slippers back home. Despite their efforts, the winning bid went to an unknown buyer who will ultimately pay $32.5 million US for the iconic shoes. The sale of the ruby slippers marks a significant moment in the history of entertainment memorabilia, showcasing the enduring appeal of classic films like “The Wizard of Oz.”
