Wizard of Oz ruby slippers on sale after they were stolen
The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” are up for auction nearly two decades after being stolen by a thief who believed they were encrusted with real jewels. The online bidding for the sequin-and-bead-bedazzled slippers has already begun and will run until December 7th, as announced by Heritage Auctions based in Dallas.
The slippers were originally owned by memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2005. However, that same year, the shoes were stolen when someone broke into the museum and smashed the display case. The whereabouts of the stolen slippers remained a mystery until the FBI recovered them in 2018.
With only four pairs of slippers worn by Garland during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz” remaining, the Judy Garland Museum is among the contenders looking to acquire them. The museum raised funds for the slippers at their annual Judy Garland festival, in addition to the $100,000 allocated by Minnesota lawmakers towards the purchase.
The thief behind the stolen slippers, Terry Jon Martin, was sentenced to time served in January due to his poor health. Martin confessed to breaking into the museum in an attempt to steal the shoes after being misled by an associate with mob connections who claimed the slippers were adorned with real jewels worth $1 million.
Aside from the ruby slippers, the auction of movie memorabilia includes other items from “The Wizard of Oz” such as a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of the West and the screen door from Dorothy’s home in Kansas.
This fascinating piece of Hollywood history is not only a valuable collector’s item but also a symbol of the enduring magic of “The Wizard of Oz.” Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of cinematic history by participating in this exclusive auction.
