Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers Head to Auction After 20 Years
- Publish date: Monday، 09 December 2024
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The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz are set to be auctioned on Saturday, nearly two decades after being stolen from a Minnesota museum.
Among several pairs Garland wore during the film, the slippers are famously associated with the scene where she clicks her heels and repeats, "There's no place like home." Heritage Auctions in Dallas is handling the sale, with the current bid at $1.5 million. With a 25% buyer's premium, the final price could approach $2 million.
Author and ruby slippers expert Rhys Thomas described their significance in his book, The Ruby Slippers of Oz, saying, “They were much more than just Hollywood memorabilia or industry history. They transcended Hollywood, becoming a symbol of innocence for all of America.”
The slippers were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Garland’s birthplace. They were on loan from owner Michael Shaw when a thief smashed the display case with a sledgehammer and took them.
The FBI recovered the slippers in 2018, 13 years after the theft. In 2023, Terry Jon Martin, 77, was indicted for the crime and later pleaded guilty. Due to poor health, Martin was sentenced to time served. His attorney stated that Martin, who had a history of burglary, initially believed the slippers contained valuable gemstones justifying their $1 million insurance value. After stealing them, he discovered the slippers were crafted with glass rather than rubies, with their value rooted in their cinematic history and connection to Garland.
Authorities also indicted Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, in March 2024 for allegedly planning to sell the stolen slippers. Saliterman, who has denied the charges, is scheduled for trial in January.
Of the original pairs created for the film, only four are known to survive, making this sale a rare and historic event.