The ruby slippers, which were designed by MGM’s chief costume designer Adrian, are one of the most recognizable and beloved symbols of American cinema. The shoes were worn by Judy Garland in her iconic portrayal of Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The film, which was based on L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s novel, has become a cultural touchstone and the ruby slippers have become an enduring symbol of the movie’s magic.
The pair of slippers set to be auctioned is one of four pairs that were created for the film. Two pairs are housed in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. and the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, respectively. Another pair is on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The fourth pair, which is the one being auctioned, was stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2005.
The theft of the slippers was a major news story at the time, with many speculating that the thief was a collector or a fan of the film. The FBI launched an investigation into the theft, but the slippers remained missing for nearly 13 years. In 2018, the slippers were recovered in a sting operation conducted by the FBI. The investigation involved a complex web of leads and tips, but ultimately led to the recovery of the slippers.
The auction of the ruby slippers is being handled by the auction house Profiles in History. The slippers are expected to draw significant interest from collectors and film enthusiasts, with estimates suggesting that they could sell for over $2 million. The auction is set to take place in May, with bidding starting at $1 million.
The sale of the ruby slippers is not without controversy, however. Some have expressed concerns that the slippers should be preserved in a museum or cultural institution, rather than being sold to a private collector. Others have raised questions about the ownership of the slippers, with some claiming that they should be returned to the Judy Garland Museum.
Despite these concerns, the auction of the ruby slippers is set to go ahead as planned. The sale of the slippers is expected to generate significant interest and attention, with many film enthusiasts and collectors eagerly anticipating the opportunity to own a piece of movie history.
The ruby slippers are not the only item from The Wizard of Oz to be sold at auction in recent years. In 2011, a pair of test slippers that were created for the film sold for $2 million at auction. In 2018, a script from the film sold for $1.1 million. The sale of the ruby slippers is expected to be one of the most significant auctions of Wizard of Oz memorabilia in recent years.
The auction of the ruby slippers is a significant event for film enthusiasts and collectors, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of movie history. The sale of the slippers is expected to generate significant interest and attention, with many eagerly anticipating the opportunity to bid on this iconic piece of cinema history.
