Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz auctioned for $28 million

Every once in a while, immersing yourself in the world of fairytales and fiction is a comforting feeling. And with every iconic story, comes a standout feature – be it a car, an outfit or simply a destination. Such is the case too with The Wizard of Oz, which hit the big screen on August 25, 1939. Dorothy Gale’s ruby slippers are among the most influential props in Hollywood history and they were recently auctioned for $28 million! Instantly recognized by their dazzling, red gleam, the slippers from The Wizard of Oz are an inseparable wardrobe piece from Judy Garland’s career.

To take advantage of new Technicolor technology, the slippers were changed from the book’s silver to an iridescent red hue. They were created by Gilbert Adrian (1903-1959) who was MGM Studios’ chief costume designer. In the film, Dorothy receives these magical slippers from Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Glinda gives them to Dorothy to keep her safe from the Wicked Witch of the West and to help her find her way back home to Kansas. Over the years, these beautiful slippers have become beloved symbols of the film and hold a special place in American culture, enchanting fans – young and old.

The pair of slippers, one of only four known surviving sets from the 1939 film, were originally lent to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. But they were stolen from the museum in 2005. Recovered 13 years later by the FBI in 2018, the ruby slippers were returned to owner Michael Shaw earlier this year before he handed them over to Heritage for Heritage’s December 7 Hollywood/Entertainment Signature^® Auction. They are now the most valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever auctioned!  The ruby slippers were estimated to be sold for $3 million, but in a surprising turn of events, these slippers were sold to an anonymous buyer for $32.5 million with taxes. Almost 11 times higher than their pre-auction estimate! “There is simply no comparison between Judy Garland’s ruby slippers and any other piece of Hollywood memorabilia. The breathtaking result reflects just how important movies and movie memorabilia are to our culture and to collectors,” Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena said in a release.

One pair of Ruby Slippers sold at auction in 2000 for $666,000. A dozen years later, Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio spent $2 million on the pair donated to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles in 2012.

The auction showcased an impressive array of other memorabilia from the iconic film. One of the standout pieces was the famously sinister hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West, which sold over $2 million. Another significant item was Dorothy’s wig from the first week of filming sold for $30,000. In addition, the auction featured the authentic screen door from Dorothy’s Kansas home, adding a nostalgic touch to the collection. This particular item sold for $37,500. Lastly, the auction included the original MGM contract signed by the talented songwriters of the beloved song Over the Rainbow.”This document highlighted the collaborative spirit behind one of the film’s most memorable pieces and went for an impressive $23,125.

You may also read: More is More with the Anaita x Anaar Shoe Collection