A pair of iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz sold for a record-breaking $32.5 million at Heritage Auctions, shattering the previous auction record held by Marilyn Monroe’s white halter dress from 1955’s The Seven Year Itch.
The slippers were designed by Adrian and crafted by the Innes Shoe Company, featuring crimson sequins and small bows. Only three pairs are known to exist, with one pair residing in the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution and another purchased by Leonardo DiCaprio and Steven Spielberg for $2 million. The provenance of this fourth pair, which includes its display at the Judy Garland Museum, may have contributed to its sale price.
The shoes were previously stolen from the museum in 2005 but were recovered after an FBI tip in 2018. They were later authenticated by the Smithsonian and consigned to auction. Heritage Auctions’ executive vice president Joe Maddalena praised the sale, saying it reflects the importance of movies and movie memorabilia to culture and collectors.
The buyer’s anonymity has not been disclosed, but the sale marked a milestone for entertainment memorabilia. Sadler described the slippers as “the most iconic piece of memorabilia in movie history.”
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dorothys-ruby-slippers-sell-28-million-auction-the-wizard-of-oz-1236080698