The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz have fetched an astonishing $28 million at auction, setting a new benchmark for entertainment memorabilia. The final purchase price, including fees from Heritage Auctions, totaled $32.5 million. This dazzling sale took place on Saturday, following months of anticipation and online bidding.
The Auction
Heritage Auctions, based in Dallas, initially estimated the slippers would command at least $3 million. However, the bidding escalated rapidly, tripling the expected amount within minutes. The live auction saw a fierce competition between a few determined phone bidders, with the final showdown lasting 15 minutes.
Ahead of the live event, online bids for the slippers had reached $1.55 million. Interest in the shoes was unprecedented; over 800 collectors monitored the auction, and the company’s webpage logged nearly 43,000 views.
The Ruby Slippers’ Tumultuous Journey
The ruby slippers hold a unique place in Hollywood history, with only four pairs confirmed to have survived from the film’s production. Judy Garland wore these sparkling heels as Dorothy Gale, using them to return home from Oz by clicking her heels and repeating, “There’s no place like home.”
This particular pair was stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Judy Garland’s hometown. Thief Terry Jon Martin, who had a history of burglaries, smashed the museum’s glass door and display case to take the slippers. After their theft, the shoes remained missing for over a decade until the FBI recovered them in 2018.
In 2023, Martin, then 77 and in poor health, was indicted and later pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to time served in January 2024. Martin reportedly attempted the heist after being convinced by an associate that the slippers were adorned with real rubies. When he discovered they were glass, he disposed of them, though details of their exact recovery remain murky.
Another alleged accomplice, Jerry Hal Saliterman, is awaiting trial. Both men were elderly and frail when facing charges.
A Record-Breaking Sale
The $28 million hammer price shattered the previous record for entertainment memorabilia—a $5.52 million sale of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch.
Community Efforts
Among the bidders vying for the ruby slippers was the Judy Garland Museum itself. The museum had raised funds, including $100,000 allocated by Minnesota lawmakers, to reclaim the historic shoes. However, the museum was ultimately outbid and shared its bittersweet acknowledgment in a Facebook post.
Broader Auction Highlights
The sale also included other Wizard of Oz memorabilia. Margaret Hamilton’s witch’s hat, worn by the Wicked Witch of the West, fetched $2.4 million, with total costs to the buyer exceeding $2.9 million.
Renewed Interest in The Wizard of Oz
The enduring legacy of The Wizard of Oz continues to captivate audiences. The release of Wicked, a prequel film exploring the origins of the Wicked Witch, has reignited fascination with the Oz universe.
The ruby slippers’ extraordinary sale not only underscores their cultural and cinematic significance but also symbolizes the timeless allure of Judy Garland’s portrayal of Dorothy and the magic of The Wizard of Oz.
