In a remarkable turn of events, a pair of Judy Garland's ruby slippers from the legendary film The Wizard of Oz is anticipated to generate a bidding frenzy, potentially reaching $3 million at a Heritage Auctions event this Saturday. These sequined shoes, famously stolen from a Minnesota museum in 2005, have a storied past that elevates their value beyond mere memorabilia.
**Ruby Slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' Ready for Auction After Dramatic Theft and Recovery**
**Ruby Slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' Ready for Auction After Dramatic Theft and Recovery**
A cherished piece of Hollywood history, Judy Garland’s iconic ruby slippers, are set to go under the hammer, with bids already climbing towards $3 million.
Online auction bids commenced a month prior, with the highest offer reported at $1.55 million as of Saturday noon. Described by the auction house as the "Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia," these slippers represent not only a piece of cinematic artistry but a cultural icon. Garland donned the slippers at just 16 years of age, casting her as Dorothy in the timeless 1939 musical that has been celebrated as one of the greatest films of all time.
The slippers’ production history reveals that, despite them being depicted as silver in L. Frank Baum's original book, the film adaptation transformed them into vibrant red, taking advantage of Technicolor innovations. They play a crucial role in the film's narrative, epitomized by the famous scene where Dorothy clicks her heels together to return home.
Though multiple pairs of slippers were created for the film, only four are known to exist today. One is showcased at the Smithsonian, while this auctioned pair holds a unique narrative as it was loaned to the Judy Garland Museum. After being stolen by professional thief Terry Jon Martin, who mistakenly believed they were encrusted with real gems, the slippers remained missing for 13 years, until the FBI intervened in 2018.
Martin, now in his seventies and reliant on a wheelchair, faced legal repercussions for the heist, but questions continue to linger regarding what transpired during their absence. John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed a desire for closure regarding the slippers' journey during that time, emphasizing their true value as an American treasure rather than their material worth.
As the auction date approaches, anticipation builds not just around the financial stakes, but the cultural significance attached to these exquisite footwear symbols, encapsulating a legacy that continues to enchant audiences worldwide.
The slippers’ production history reveals that, despite them being depicted as silver in L. Frank Baum's original book, the film adaptation transformed them into vibrant red, taking advantage of Technicolor innovations. They play a crucial role in the film's narrative, epitomized by the famous scene where Dorothy clicks her heels together to return home.
Though multiple pairs of slippers were created for the film, only four are known to exist today. One is showcased at the Smithsonian, while this auctioned pair holds a unique narrative as it was loaned to the Judy Garland Museum. After being stolen by professional thief Terry Jon Martin, who mistakenly believed they were encrusted with real gems, the slippers remained missing for 13 years, until the FBI intervened in 2018.
Martin, now in his seventies and reliant on a wheelchair, faced legal repercussions for the heist, but questions continue to linger regarding what transpired during their absence. John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed a desire for closure regarding the slippers' journey during that time, emphasizing their true value as an American treasure rather than their material worth.
As the auction date approaches, anticipation builds not just around the financial stakes, but the cultural significance attached to these exquisite footwear symbols, encapsulating a legacy that continues to enchant audiences worldwide.
