Dorothy’s ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland sell for nearly £22MILLION – more than NINE times more than they were predicted – nearly 20 years after they were dramatically stolen

As a lifelong fan who’s seen “The Wizard of Oz” more times than I care to admit (and yes, Toto too!), this news has me dancing like a loon in ruby slippers! The fact that those iconic shoes, once stolen from their rightful place, have found their way back home after such an incredible bidding war is nothing short of magical.

The iconic ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ fetched a staggering £22 million during an auction held last night, approximately two decades following their theft from a museum in Minnesota.

It was anticipated that the shoes would be sold for over 2.3 million British pounds (approximately 3 million US dollars). According to Heritage Auctions, based in Dallas, Texas, the online auction page garnered more than 50,000 views last night.

The online auction, initiated a month ago, reached a bid of $1.55 million prior to the commencement of live bidding on Saturday evening. As the intense bidding war unfolded, the price skyrocketed, ultimately reaching an astounding final bid of approximately $28 million, or roughly £21 million.

In the year 2005, the slippers from Judy Garland were exhibited at the museum dedicated to her in her birthplace, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Unfortunately, a professional burglar broke into the museum by shattering the glass of the entrance and display case using a hammer.

2018 saw the FBI’s miraculous discovery of what had been a hidden trail for so long – my cherished items! It brings me immense relief to know that justice has finally been served, as the thief was brought to book earlier this year, receiving a well-deserved sentence.

In February, the shoes were given back to Michael Shaw, a memorabilia collector, as he had lent them to the museum. These shoes were among several pairs worn by Judy Garland while filming the iconic movie in 1939.

One of the parties placing bids is expected to be the Judy Garland Museum, having secured additional funds from its hometown during their yearly Judy Garland festival. This supplements the $100,000 commitment made by Minnesota legislators towards the museum’s acquisition of the slippers.

In L. Frank Baum’s first novel published in 1900, Dorothy’s shoes were actually silver. But, for dramatic effect and to highlight the use of the Technicolor process in the film, the moviemakers opted for the vibrant ruby color instead.

In the past few weeks, the tale of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ has been brought back into focus with the debut of the film ‘Wicked’, a cinematic version based on the hugely successful Broadway musical. This movie serves as a prequel, offering a fresh perspective on the character of the once-terrifying Wicked Witch of the West.

The auction offers additional items related to the initial movie as well, such as a hat once owned by Margaret Hamilton, famously known for portraying the first Wicked Witch of the West.

188 diverse auction items range from Macaulay Culkin’s attire in Home Alone to the actual volleyball named Wilson featured in Tom Hanks’ movie Castaway. The initial bids for these unique pieces are set at $100,000 or equivalent to £78,000.

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2024-12-08 03:03