Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz Break Record as Most Valuable Movie Memorabilia .

 

The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz have set a new benchmark in movie history, selling at auction for an extraordinary $28 million (£22 million). This price far exceeded the estimated maximum of $3 million (£2.35 million), making them the most valuable piece of film memorabilia ever sold.

Heritage Auctions, the auction house behind the sale, described the slippers as the “Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia.” The $28 million sale price—nearly 10 times the predicted value—cements the slippers’ legendary status.

A Storied History

Judy Garland’s Dorothy Gale wore several pairs of the ruby slippers during the filming of The Wizard of Oz, but only four pairs are known to have survived. In the story, the magical shoes are passed to Dorothy after her house crushes the Wicked Witch of the East. Interestingly, in L. Frank Baum’s original novel, the shoes were silver. Their ruby-red hue was a deliberate change made for the film to highlight the vibrant possibilities of Technicolor.

One pair of the slippers is currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. The pair sold at auction was previously owned by collector Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to Minnesota’s Judy Garland Museum.

A Notorious Theft

The journey of these particular slippers is as dramatic as their onscreen appearance. In 2005, they were stolen from the museum in a daring theft. The thief, Terry Jon Martin, believed the slippers were adorned with actual rubies due to their high insurance valuation. After unsuccessfully attempting to sell them, Martin handed them off to an unknown associate, and the slippers disappeared for over a decade.

In 2018, an FBI sting operation recovered the shoes, ending a 13-year mystery. Last year, Martin, now in his seventies, pleaded guilty to the theft and was sentenced to time served.

The Wizard of Oz Resurgence

The record-breaking auction coincides with renewed interest in The Wizard of Oz, fueled by the upcoming release of Wicked, a highly anticipated musical prequel. The enduring legacy of the ruby slippers continues to captivate audiences, solidifying their place as a symbol of cinematic magic.

For collectors and fans alike, the sale of these slippers not only highlights their immense cultural value but also underscores the timeless appeal of one of Hollywood’s most beloved films