The ruby red slippers, famously donned by actress Judy Garland in the beloved 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz," are headed to auction and could sell for nearly $3 million, according to Heritage Auctions. The sequinned shoes gained notoriety not only for their role in the film but also due to a sensational theft from a Minnesota museum in 2005. As bidding began online approximately a month ago, the highest offer stood at $1.55 million by Saturday noon.
Dorothy's Iconic Ruby Slippers Set for Auction After Thieving Drama
Dorothy's Iconic Ruby Slippers Set for Auction After Thieving Drama
A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" is about to hit the auction block, sparking interest in their tumultuous past.
Heritage Auctions has deemed these slippers the "Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia." Garland, who was just 16 years old during her portrayal of Dorothy, contributed to a film that was ranked second in Variety's list of "100 Greatest Movies of All Time." The film is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's children's book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," where the original slippers were silver. For cinematic effect, filmmakers changed them to vibrant red, showcasing the capabilities of emerging Technicolor technology.
A memorable scene involves Dorothy clicking her heels together three times while reciting, "There's no place like home," as part of her journey to return to Kansas. Although several pairs of slippers were utilized during the film's production, only four are confirmed to have survived, with one pair currently displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
This auction pair possesses a unique backstory. Collector Michael Shaw had lent them to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when they were stolen in a brazen act by career criminal Terry Jon Martin. Using a hammer, Martin smashed the protective glass case, mistakenly assuming their $1 million insurance value indicated they were adorned with real gemstones. However, after pursuing a fence to sell the stolen merchandise, Martin learned the shoes were merely glass and ultimately abandoned them.
It wasn’t until a 2018 sting operation conducted by the FBI that the slippers were recovered, after a 13-year mystery about their whereabouts. In 2023, Martin, then in his 70s and using a wheelchair, pleaded guilty to the theft and received a sentence of time served. John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed some relief but still sought clarity on the slippers' harrowing journey. "The value is not rubies. The value is an American treasure, a national treasure," he remarked, reflecting on the ludicrous nature of the theft.
The upcoming auction is anticipated to reignite interest in the slippers and their rich history, given their blend of Hollywood glamour and a rollercoaster narrative that captivates audiences across the globe.
A memorable scene involves Dorothy clicking her heels together three times while reciting, "There's no place like home," as part of her journey to return to Kansas. Although several pairs of slippers were utilized during the film's production, only four are confirmed to have survived, with one pair currently displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
This auction pair possesses a unique backstory. Collector Michael Shaw had lent them to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when they were stolen in a brazen act by career criminal Terry Jon Martin. Using a hammer, Martin smashed the protective glass case, mistakenly assuming their $1 million insurance value indicated they were adorned with real gemstones. However, after pursuing a fence to sell the stolen merchandise, Martin learned the shoes were merely glass and ultimately abandoned them.
It wasn’t until a 2018 sting operation conducted by the FBI that the slippers were recovered, after a 13-year mystery about their whereabouts. In 2023, Martin, then in his 70s and using a wheelchair, pleaded guilty to the theft and received a sentence of time served. John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed some relief but still sought clarity on the slippers' harrowing journey. "The value is not rubies. The value is an American treasure, a national treasure," he remarked, reflecting on the ludicrous nature of the theft.
The upcoming auction is anticipated to reignite interest in the slippers and their rich history, given their blend of Hollywood glamour and a rollercoaster narrative that captivates audiences across the globe.
