A dazzling piece of Hollywood history set a new record as Dorothy’s ruby slippers, worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, sold for an astonishing $28 million (£22 million) at a U.S. auction on Saturday.

A Legendary Pair with a Storied Past

These iconic sequined pumps are one of only four known surviving pairs used in the 1939 film. The slippers have captivated audiences for decades, earning the title “Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia” from Heritage Auctions. Their final price shattered expectations, far exceeding the initial estimate of $3 million (£2.35 million).

Renewed Spotlight on a Classic

The sale coincided with heightened interest in The Wizard of Oz, sparked by the recent release of the prequel movie Wicked. Applause erupted in the Dallas auction room as the hammer fell on this record-breaking bid, making the slippers the most valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold.

Judy Garland was just 16 years old when she donned the slippers to play Dorothy Gale in the beloved musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The film’s producers famously changed the magical slippers’ color from silver (as described in the book) to ruby red, leveraging Technicolor technology to create a striking visual impact.

The Journey Home: “There’s No Place Like Home”

The ruby slippers played a pivotal role in the movie’s plot. Dorothy’s return from the magical land of Oz hinged on her clicking her heels three times and repeating the iconic line, “There’s no place like home.”

A Tale of Theft and Recovery

The pair sold at auction boasts a dramatic history. Loaned to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the slippers were stolen in 2005 when thief Terry Jon Martin smashed their display case. Mistakenly believing the sequins were real gemstones, Martin passed the shoes to an intermediary who ultimately discarded them.

Thirteen years later, in 2018, the FBI recovered the slippers in a sting operation. While the details of their whereabouts during those missing years remain a mystery, the theft was resolved in 2023 when Martin, then in his 70s, pleaded guilty and received a sentence of time served.

John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, reflected on the theft’s absurdity:

“To steal them without knowing their value as a national treasure seems ludicrous. The real worth isn’t in gemstones but in their cultural significance.”

A Legacy Preserved

Today, one pair of Dorothy’s ruby slippers resides at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. With their storied past and unmatched cultural significance, these slippers continue to enchant generations, proving that some treasures are truly priceless.

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