In a stunning auction result, the legendary ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy in the classic film The Wizard of Oz sold for a record-breaking $28 million (£22 million) at a recent auction in the U.S. This particular pair is one of only four surviving sets used during the film's production and has an intriguing history, having once been stolen from a museum in Minnesota. Initial predictions for the auction estimated the slippers to sell for around $3 million (£2.35 million), a value that paled in comparison to their eventual sale price.
Ruby Slippers Stun Auction World with $28 Million Sale
Ruby Slippers Stun Auction World with $28 Million Sale
A pair of iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz fetches an astonishing $28 million, redefining Hollywood memorabilia.
Heritage Auctions dubbed the slippers the "Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia,” marking this sale as the most valuable piece of film memorabilia ever auctioned. Bidding for the famed artefact commenced online a month prior to the auction, generating excitement with the potential return of The Wizard of Oz to the forefront of pop culture, aided by the recent release of the prequel movie Wicked.
Garland, only 16 during the filming of the timeless 1939 musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, imbued the character of Dorothy with iconic charm. In a notable twist from the original story, Baum's silver slippers were transformed into a vibrant red for the movie, enhancing the visual impact of Technicolor cinema.
The slippers' journey is as captivating as the film itself. After being stolen in 2005 by professional thief Terry Jon Martin, who mistakenly believed the shoes were encrusted with real gemstones, they were eventually recovered by the FBI in 2018 following an undercover operation. After an extensive legal process, Martin was sentenced to time served in 2023, and the slippers were returned to the public eye.
John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed relief over the slippers' recovery but also a desire to uncover their fate during the 13 years they were lost. Reflecting on the bizarre motivations for their theft, Kelsch lamented, “The value is an American treasure, a national treasure,” emphasizing the cultural significance far beyond their surface allure.
With renewed interest in The Wizard of Oz, the cultural impact of the film and its memorabilia continues to resonate, as evidenced by the recent auction results that thrilled collectors and fans alike.
Garland, only 16 during the filming of the timeless 1939 musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, imbued the character of Dorothy with iconic charm. In a notable twist from the original story, Baum's silver slippers were transformed into a vibrant red for the movie, enhancing the visual impact of Technicolor cinema.
The slippers' journey is as captivating as the film itself. After being stolen in 2005 by professional thief Terry Jon Martin, who mistakenly believed the shoes were encrusted with real gemstones, they were eventually recovered by the FBI in 2018 following an undercover operation. After an extensive legal process, Martin was sentenced to time served in 2023, and the slippers were returned to the public eye.
John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed relief over the slippers' recovery but also a desire to uncover their fate during the 13 years they were lost. Reflecting on the bizarre motivations for their theft, Kelsch lamented, “The value is an American treasure, a national treasure,” emphasizing the cultural significance far beyond their surface allure.
With renewed interest in The Wizard of Oz, the cultural impact of the film and its memorabilia continues to resonate, as evidenced by the recent auction results that thrilled collectors and fans alike.
