The legacy of The Wizard of Oz continues to shine brightly, especially with recent headlines about iconic memorabilia associated with the classic film. This past weekend, Judy Garland’s ruby slippers, famously worn by her character Dorothy, captivated the auction world by selling for a jaw-dropping $28 million. When fees were factored in, the grand total skyrocketed to $32.5 million, making these sparkling shoes the most valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold. It’s hard to argue with the sentiment echoed by Heritage Auctions’ Executive Vice President, Joe Maddalena, who stated, “There is simply no comparison between Judy Garland’s ruby slippers and any other piece of Hollywood memorabilia.”
These legendary shoes, one of just four surviving pairs from the famed 1939 film, weren’t always so secure. They carry with them not only the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but also stories marked by theft, criminal intrigue, and eventual recovery. The recently sold pair has quite the tumultuous history. They were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, back in 2005. A six-figure reward was publicly offered for their return, but it wasn't until 2018—almost 13 years later—that they were finally located. It turned out, they had been buried underground, hidden away like some priceless treasure.
Terry Martin, the perpetrator of this audacious heist, believed the slippers were encrusted with real rubies, which explains part of his misguided motivation. “The shoes were much more than just a piece of Hollywood memorabilia,” noted Rhys Thomas, author of The Ruby Slippers of Oz. They represent innocence and nostalgia wrapped up neatly within American culture. After pleading guilty to his theft, Martin avoided lengthy prison time due to his advanced health issues, leaving the slippers to change hands once again.
The auction saw intense interest; bidding kicked off at $1.55 million and surged quickly, drawing participation from 25 eager bidders. According to reports, the final push for the slippers came down to two determined bidders, the winning call coming from someone participating via phone. This event was, without a doubt, one of the most thrilling spectacles of the auction world.
But the ruby slippers weren’t the only memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz to capture attention during the auction. Alongside the famous footwear, noteworthy items like the Wicked Witch’s hat sold for over $2 million, as well as various other artifacts linked to the film, including Judy Garland’s iconic Dorothy wig which fetched $30,000. Heritage Auctions made it clear: this event set the bar for entertainment auctions, boasting the claim of not just individual items, but the cultural significance they represent.
Garland's ruby slippers, originally crafted by MGM's chief costume designer, Gilbert Adrian, have become one of the most enduring symbols from American cinema. It wasn’t just their design—the dazzling red sequins placed skillfully atop shiny shoes—that made them memorable. These slippers played pivotal roles throughout The Wizard of Oz, where they were originally scripted to be silver but were switched to red to take full advantage of the burgeoning Technicolor film technology available at the time.
Now, only four pairs of these storied shoes are known to exist. Two pairs are immortalized and safely housed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, albeit mismatched. Long before this recent sale, another of the surviving pairs auctioned back in 2000 for $666,000, and another pair was purchased for $2 million by Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio, later gifted to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
The feats of the ruby slippers are not merely confined to their worth as collector's items. They also reflect society’s deep connection to classic cinema and the nostalgia it invokes, which clearly drives the price tags higher and higher with each passing year. The Wizard of Oz remains timeless, captivating audiences with its message of home, adventure, and hope. Over the years, it has inspired generations, with the ruby slippers standing as one of its most recognized emblems.
Despite their long and winding road from beloved film accessory to multi-million dollar auction item, the significance of these shoes stretches far beyond their monetary value. They serve as cultural artifacts, chronicling not just the history of film but also the ups and downs of their real-world experiences.
With the auction leading to record-breaking numbers, one can’t help but wonder what other pieces of Hollywood history lie dormant, waiting to be unearthed and appreciated once more. The auction world has certainly shown their readiness, turning heads and pocketbooks alike, showcasing just how valuable and cherished cinematic history remains.
