Ruby Slippers Fetch Historic $28 Million at Auction

The ruby slippers from the classic film "The Wizard of Oz" have sold for a staggering $28 million, making them the most valuable movie memorabilia ever. With a tumultuous history that includes their theft from a Minnesota museum and eventual recovery by the FBI, these slippers have captivated collectors and fans alike.

A prestigious auction in Dallas has shattered expectations with the sale of a remarkable pair of ruby red slippers worn by the legendary Judy Garland in the timeless film "The Wizard of Oz," fetching an extraordinary $28 million. This sale not only sets a new record for movie memorabilia but also underscores the enduring allure of this beloved cinematic artifact.

Classified as one of only four known surviving pairs from the 1939 classic, the slippers were initially expected to garner a mere $3 million, as estimated by Heritage Auctions. The interest in these sequined pumps surged from a month-long online bidding process, which culminated in an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation in the auction room. The auctioneer dubbed the slippers the “Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia,” and their final selling price surpassed all expectations, raising questions about the true value of cultural icons.

The auction coincided with a resurgence of interest in “The Wizard of Oz,” partly fueled by the recent release of the Broadway adaptation's prequel, "Wicked." As a historical artifact, the slippers are not just a costume piece; they represent a significant moment in film history, prompting both nostalgia and a renewed appreciation for Garland's performance when she was merely 16 years old.

In the original L. Frank Baum story, Dorothy's shoes were described as silver, but the creators of the film opted for an eye-catching Technicolor red to maximize visual impact. The slippers play a pivotal role in the narrative, symbolizing the yearning for home—an ethos encapsulated in the famous line "There's no place like home," spoken by Dorothy as she clicks her heels to return to Kansas.

While many shoes were utilized during the production, only four pairs are presently accounted for. One pair resides in the Smithsonian but this auctioned pair has a notorious backstory. Stolen in 2005 by professional thief Terry Jon Martin, the slippers were taken from the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown. Martin, who broke the glass case to seize the shoes, mistook them for actual ruby-encrusted treasures.

His ill-fated attempt to sell the slippers ended with their recovery by the FBI in a 2018 sting operation, revealing the slippers' mysterious journey over a decade. Martin recently pleaded guilty, and while he has acknowledged his crime, the specifics of the slippers' whereabouts during that time remain uncertain.

John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed a sense of unresolved curiosity about the slippers’ fate during their years of disappearance. The unique perspective on their value as a national treasure, rather than mere precious stones, resonates with collectors and cultural enthusiasts alike, exemplifying the profound significance of iconic film memorabilia.