As a lifelong fan of classic cinema, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and nostalgia upon hearing about the record-breaking sale of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. I still remember the first time I watched that movie as a child, feeling like Dorothy herself, lost in a world far removed from my own. These iconic shoes, with their vibrant red hue and delicate sequins, have been an integral part of my cinematic journey, symbolizing adventure, dreams, and homecoming.
One of the ruby slippers famously worn by Judy Garland in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz has sold for a whopping $28 million USD at auction.
Heritage Auctions has announced that a mysterious buyer acquired a pair of footwear for an astounding $32.5 million USD, including the premium – making it the costliest entertainment memorabilia ever auctioned. Previously, this title belonged to the iconic white halter dress Marilyn Monroe wore in The Seven Year Itch, which fetched $5.52 million USD at a previous auction.
The iconic ruby slippers were brainstormed by Adrian and manufactured by Innes Shoe Company. They were meticulously made using low-heeled pumps, red silk fabric, crimson sequins, and tiny bows. Unfortunately, this specific pair was pilfered when on exhibition at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, back in 2005. However, the FBI managed to retrieve them over a decade later.
At present, there are three known pairs that exist: one is housed at the National Museum of American History within the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., another is reportedly owned by a private collector, and the third is part of the permanent collection at the Academy Museum of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, having been purchased for approximately $2 million USD by a group headed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Steven Spielberg. It’s said that each pair was used in distinct scenes during the filming process.
Joe Maddalena, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, stated after the sale that Judy Garland’s ruby slippers are incomparable to any other piece of Hollywood memorabilia. The astounding outcome underscores the significance of movies and movie artifacts within our culture and among collectors. It has been an honor for everyone at Heritage to be involved in the slippers’ remarkable odyssey, crossing the rainbow and finding a new home.
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2024-12-10 12:55