Judy Garland’s Legendary Ruby Slippers from *The Wizard of Oz* Fetch Stunning $28 Million at Auction

### Judy Garland’s Legendary Ruby Slippers from *The Wizard of Oz* Sell for $28 Million at Auction

On December 7, 2023, a significant milestone in Hollywood was reached when Judy Garland’s legendary ruby slippers from *The Wizard of Oz* were sold for an astonishing $28 million at a Heritage Auctions event. With auction fees included, the total ascended to $32.5 million, establishing these sequined shoes as the most valuable piece of cinematic memorabilia ever auctioned. As the central footwear for Dorothy Gale, portrayed by Garland in the 1939 classic, these ruby slippers have long been revered as a jewel of both the film industry and popular culture.

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## **The Journey to the Record-Setting Auction**

### **The Intense Bidding Competition**
The auction kicked off spectacularly in November with an initial offer of $800,000. Pre-auction excitement surged, resulting in early online bids reaching a remarkable $1.55 million. The true contest arose during a phone bidding skirmish, where the price soared to $10 million in a mere three minutes. Ultimately, an anonymous bidder secured the acquisition for $28 million—almost ten times the anticipated value of $3 million.

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### **The Unique Significance of the Ruby Slippers**
The remarkable value of the ruby slippers stems from their scarcity and profound ties to cinematic history. There are currently only four known surviving pairs of slippers from *The Wizard of Oz*. This pair carries additional intrigue due to its connection to a notorious theft that captured media attention for years.

Initially borrowed to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, from collector Michael Shaw, the slippers were taken in 2005. After more than a decade of absence, the FBI retrieved the stolen pair in 2018 following an extensive investigation. Former mobster Terry Jon Martin was charged with the theft in 2023, just before the slippers made their extraordinary comeback to the auction scene.

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## **The Museum’s Aspiration Unfulfilled**
Among the eager bidders at the auction was the Judy Garland Museum, which had previously housed the slippers before their 2005 theft. Eager to reclaim the footwear, the museum initiated a fundraising drive and garnered support pledges, including $100,000 promised by Minnesota lawmakers. However, their attempts ultimately fell short as the overwhelming $28 million price tag vastly surpassed their financial capacity.

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## **Highlighting Other *Wizard of Oz* Collectibles**
Although the ruby slippers captivated the event, they were not the only cherished piece from *The Wizard of Oz* available at the Heritage Auctions event. A witch’s hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the Wicked Witch of the West, was sold for $2.93 million, including the buyer’s premium. While considerably less than the slippers, this sale also marked a significant achievement for memorabilia from the cherished fantasy film.

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## **The Enduring Legacy of the Ruby Slippers**
Regarded as the “holy grail” of Hollywood collectibles, these ruby slippers occupy a distinctive place in cinematic and cultural lore. Their importance goes beyond the screen, embodying timeless themes of hope, home, and self-discovery.

As noted in the auction’s official description:
*”One cannot find anything more desirable in this field than these prized [shoes].”*

The slippers represent more than just the pinnacle of Hollywood’s golden era—they encapsulate how storytelling and creativity can resonate profoundly across generations.

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### **Hollywood Memorabilia: A Flourishing Market**
This record-setting sale illustrates the rising demand for memorabilia from iconic films. Fans, museums, and individual collectors are increasingly investing to safeguard moments of cinematic excellence. Heritage Auctions highlighted the singular nature of Garland’s ruby slippers, characterizing them as not only a rare collectible but also a concrete piece of cultural heritage.

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## **Conclusion: A Fantastical Chapter Concluded**
The $28 million sale of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers signifies an extraordinary event in both pop culture and auction history. For an unnamed bidder, these slippers will forever symbolize a beloved film and the timeless journey along the yellow brick road. For fans and organizations like the Judy Garland Museum, the mission to honor and preserve such artifacts continues.

Whether showcased under protective glass or cherished in the minds of those revisiting Dorothy’s journey, the ruby slippers persist as a potent emblem of cinema’s lasting enchantment—and the sentiment that there’s no place like home.