Discover the Secret Behind Dorothy's Ruby Slippers Selling for a Jaw-Dropping $43 Million
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The iconic ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' have once again captured the world's imagination. This time, they fetched a staggering £22 million at an auction, far exceeding the initial AUD 43 million estimate. This sale comes nearly two decades after the slippers were stolen in a dramatic heist that seemed straight out of a Hollywood script.
The slippers that the legendary Judy Garland wore as she portrayed Dorothy have always held a special place in the hearts of film enthusiasts and collectors. Their sale by Heritage Auctions in Dallas was a highly anticipated event, drawing over 50,000 views on the auction page and intense online bidding that began last month at AUD 2.43 million. As live bidding commenced, the price skyrocketed, reaching an astonishing nearly AUD 43.1 million.
The story of these slippers is as enchanting as the film itself. In 2005, they were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when a thief used a hammer to break into the museum and snatch the precious memorabilia. The slippers vanished without a trace, leaving fans and historians dismayed. It wasn't until 2018 that the FBI recovered them, and earlier this year, the thief was brought to justice and sentenced.
These slippers returned to memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had originally loaned them to the museum, are one of the few pairs Garland wore during the filming of the 1939 classic. The Judy Garland Museum was among the bidders hoping to secure this piece of cinematic history, supported by funds raised during the city's annual Judy Garland festival and a $100,000 pledge from Minnesota lawmakers.
The ruby slippers' allure is not just due to their connection to Garland and the film but also because they symbolise the magic of Hollywood's Golden Age. Interestingly, in L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, Dorothy's Slippers, was silver. However, the filmmakers of the 1939 adaptation chose the ruby colour to showcase the then-new Technicolor process, creating an enduring image of movie magic.
The recent auction also featured other memorabilia from 'The Wizard of Oz,' including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who played the original Wicked Witch of the West. This comes at a time when the Oz narrative is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the release of 'Wicked,' a film adaptation of the Broadway musical that serves as a prequel to the Oz story.
Beyond the slippers, the auction included 188 lots of Hollywood memorabilia, such as the outfit worn by Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone' and the original Wilson volleyball from the Tom Hanks film 'Cast Away,' which had a starting bid of AUD 156,000.
The sale of Dorothy's ruby slippers is a testament to the enduring legacy of 'The Wizard of Oz' and the fascination it still holds. It's a reminder of the power of film to enchant and captivate, to create symbols that transcend time. For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, many of whom grew up with the magic of 'The Wizard of Oz,' this sale is a nostalgic nod to the past and a celebration of its timeless appeal.
We'd love to hear your memories of watching 'The Wizard of Oz' for the first time and what the film means to you. Did it inspire a sense of wonder, a belief in the power of dreams, or simply a love for the art of storytelling? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's reminisce about the yellow brick road that led us through one of the most beloved tales in cinematic history.
The slippers that the legendary Judy Garland wore as she portrayed Dorothy have always held a special place in the hearts of film enthusiasts and collectors. Their sale by Heritage Auctions in Dallas was a highly anticipated event, drawing over 50,000 views on the auction page and intense online bidding that began last month at AUD 2.43 million. As live bidding commenced, the price skyrocketed, reaching an astonishing nearly AUD 43.1 million.
The story of these slippers is as enchanting as the film itself. In 2005, they were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when a thief used a hammer to break into the museum and snatch the precious memorabilia. The slippers vanished without a trace, leaving fans and historians dismayed. It wasn't until 2018 that the FBI recovered them, and earlier this year, the thief was brought to justice and sentenced.
Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz were sold at auction for nearly AUD 43 million, far surpassing expectations. Credit: X
These slippers returned to memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had originally loaned them to the museum, are one of the few pairs Garland wore during the filming of the 1939 classic. The Judy Garland Museum was among the bidders hoping to secure this piece of cinematic history, supported by funds raised during the city's annual Judy Garland festival and a $100,000 pledge from Minnesota lawmakers.
The ruby slippers' allure is not just due to their connection to Garland and the film but also because they symbolise the magic of Hollywood's Golden Age. Interestingly, in L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, Dorothy's Slippers, was silver. However, the filmmakers of the 1939 adaptation chose the ruby colour to showcase the then-new Technicolor process, creating an enduring image of movie magic.
The recent auction also featured other memorabilia from 'The Wizard of Oz,' including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who played the original Wicked Witch of the West. This comes at a time when the Oz narrative is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the release of 'Wicked,' a film adaptation of the Broadway musical that serves as a prequel to the Oz story.
Beyond the slippers, the auction included 188 lots of Hollywood memorabilia, such as the outfit worn by Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone' and the original Wilson volleyball from the Tom Hanks film 'Cast Away,' which had a starting bid of AUD 156,000.
The sale of Dorothy's ruby slippers is a testament to the enduring legacy of 'The Wizard of Oz' and the fascination it still holds. It's a reminder of the power of film to enchant and captivate, to create symbols that transcend time. For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, many of whom grew up with the magic of 'The Wizard of Oz,' this sale is a nostalgic nod to the past and a celebration of its timeless appeal.
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