The red sequined shoes, worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy, are anticipated to sell for up to $3 million at an auction this Saturday, following a dramatic history marked by theft and recovery.
**Judy Garland's Iconic Ruby Slippers Set for High-Stakes Auction**
**Judy Garland's Iconic Ruby Slippers Set for High-Stakes Auction**
A dazzling piece of cinematic history is up for grabs as the ruby slippers from *The Wizard of Oz* prepare to go under the hammer.
The ruby slippers made a huge splash in Hollywood's memorabilia scene when they were stolen from a Minnesota museum in 2005. Now, they are expected to fetch an impressive sum at Heritage Auctions, with current bids already reaching $1.55 million. These shoes, originally a deep homage to the classic 1939 film, have a complicated backstory that adds to their allure and historical significance.
First appearing in L. Frank Baum's book *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz*, the visual transformation into dazzling red was made to showcase the Technicolor technology of the time. Garland, at just 16, captivated audiences portraying Dorothy as she famously declared, "There's no place like home."
Several pairs of slippers were made for the film, yet only four have survived, with one currently displayed at the Smithsonian. The pair set to be auctioned holds additional intrigue, as they were loaned to the Judy Garland Museum when they were stolen by professional thief Terry Jon Martin. His misguided assumption led him to believe they were studded with real rubies, prompting him to act.
After a protracted search, the FBI recovered the slippers in 2018, revealing a mysterious 13-year void in their whereabouts. Martin, now in his 70s, confessed to the theft in 2023, resulting in a light sentence of time served. Curator John Kelsch has expressed a desire for greater clarity regarding the slippers' journey during the intervening years.
Ultimately, the auction will not only provide an opportunity to own a piece of film history but will also underscore the slippers' status as a national treasure embedded in American culture.
First appearing in L. Frank Baum's book *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz*, the visual transformation into dazzling red was made to showcase the Technicolor technology of the time. Garland, at just 16, captivated audiences portraying Dorothy as she famously declared, "There's no place like home."
Several pairs of slippers were made for the film, yet only four have survived, with one currently displayed at the Smithsonian. The pair set to be auctioned holds additional intrigue, as they were loaned to the Judy Garland Museum when they were stolen by professional thief Terry Jon Martin. His misguided assumption led him to believe they were studded with real rubies, prompting him to act.
After a protracted search, the FBI recovered the slippers in 2018, revealing a mysterious 13-year void in their whereabouts. Martin, now in his 70s, confessed to the theft in 2023, resulting in a light sentence of time served. Curator John Kelsch has expressed a desire for greater clarity regarding the slippers' journey during the intervening years.
Ultimately, the auction will not only provide an opportunity to own a piece of film history but will also underscore the slippers' status as a national treasure embedded in American culture.
