Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers Fetch Record-Breaking $28 Million.

Judy Garland's iconic slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" were taken from the museum named after her in 2005, but they were found again in 2018.

The iconic ruby slippers that Judy Garland donned as Dorothy in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” fetched an astonishing $28 million at a live auction in Dallas on Saturday, setting a new record for one of the most famous pieces of film memorabilia ever.

Heritage Auctions handled the sale for collector Michael Shaw, the previous owner of the slippers. They went for way more than the $10 million estimate from Joe Maddalena, the auction house's executive vice president. These slippers are one of just four known pairs that Garland wore in the film.

The auction house hasn't revealed who the lucky buyer is yet.

“There is simply no comparison between Judy Garland’s ruby slippers and any other piece of Hollywood memorabilia,” Mr. Maddalena said.

The final bid of $28 million marked the highest amount ever paid at an auction for entertainment memorabilia, according to the auction house. This figure surpassed the previous record, which was held by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic subway dress from the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch,” that fetched $5.52 million in 2011, including fees. With taxes and fees factored in, the slippers went for a total of $32.5 million.

The auction was filled with references and puns related to “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz.” The auctioneer even got into the spirit of things, crouching like the Wicked Witch of the West while pointing to bidders in the crowd, who were calling out offers in $100,000 jumps. Occasionally, a bidder on the phone would raise the stakes by $800,000 or more, prompting some gasps and murmurs of excitement from those present.

Other “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia was also up for grabs, including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, which sold for nearly $3 million, as reported by the auction house.

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The slippers not only star in some of the most iconic scenes from one of the biggest movies ever, but they also have a fascinating backstory that adds to their mystique.

Mr. Shaw had lent the slippers to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where they were stolen on August 27, 2005. The F.B.I. set up a sting operation and managed to recover the slippers in Minneapolis in July 2018. Terry Martin, a Minnesota man, was later indicted and admitted to the theft. Another man from Minnesota, Jerry Hal Saliterman, faced charges related to the theft this year.

Authorities believed Martin thought the slippers were made of real rubies, which he intended to sell, but the rubies turned out to be glass.

Janie Heitz, the executive director of the Judy Garland Museum, mentioned that they were fundraising to reclaim the slippers at auction and had received $100,000 from the Minnesota Legislature.

However, Heitz noted on Saturday that she realized early on in the auction that the museum wouldn’t win the bid.

“It’s like closing a chapter on the ruby slippers for us, and that’s alright,” Heitz said. “It just shows how significant ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is to the world that they fetched such a high price.”

The museum did manage to purchase a painting for $20,000 that shows the scene where the Wicked Witch’s hands are zapped while trying to grab Dorothy’s slippers, according to Heitz.

The funds from the Legislature—after a small amount was used for the purchase attempt—will be returned to the state, she added. The money raised from donors might go towards a “Wizard of Oz”-themed mini-golf course or another exhibit, Heitz said.

During the making of the film, the costume team created at least four pairs of slippers for Judy Garland to wear in case one got damaged, as noted by Rhys Thomas, who authored “The Ruby Slippers of Oz.”

Even though the slippers seemed almost the same, a Smithsonian consultant took a closer look and found some subtle differences. They figured out that the pair sold on Saturday appeared in many iconic scenes from the film.

A big chunk of the well-known song “We’re Off to See the Wizard” shows Ms. Garland happily skipping around in those dazzling red shoes, which are worth a whopping $28 million.

The record-breaking sale of Judy Garland's ruby slippers highlights the enduring magic of The Wizard of Oz and the timeless appeal of Hollywood memorabilia. Fetching an incredible $28 million at auction, these iconic slippers have transcended their role in cinema, becoming a symbol of cinematic history and pop culture.

Their fascinating backstory, from theft and recovery to their eventual sale, only adds to their allure. The auction's success underscores the immense value and nostalgia attached to classic film artifacts, ensuring that these legendary shoes will continue to captivate audiences and collectors for generations to come.

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