A pair of iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz sold for a record-breaking $32.5 million at auction on Saturday, December 7, marking the highest price ever paid for movie memorabilia. The slippers, one of only four surviving pairs from the film, were originally stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005, but were recovered in 2018 following a sting operation in Minneapolis.
Heritage Auctions, which facilitated the sale, hailed the slippers as “the most valuable cinema treasures in the world.” The auction's executive vice president, Joe Maddalena, expressed the unparalleled cultural significance of the slippers, stating, “There is simply no comparison between Judy Garland’s ruby slippers and any other piece of Hollywood memorabilia.” The total sale price, which includes auction house commissions, came to $32.5 million, far exceeding the pre-auction estimate of $3 million.
Bidding for the slippers began at $1.55 million, and the price rapidly escalated as 25 participants vied for the historic footwear. The auction concluded with one bidder securing the slippers over the phone.
The ruby slippers, which symbolize innocence and magic, have transcended their status as mere Hollywood artifacts. Rhys Thomas, author of The Ruby Slippers of Oz, described the slippers as “much more than just a piece of Hollywood memorabilia,” noting their representation of a cultural icon that has resonated deeply with American audiences.
Previously, other pairs of ruby slippers had been sold at auction, but none fetched a price remotely close to this record. In 2000, one pair sold for $666,000, while another set was purchased by Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio for $2 million, later donated to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
The auction marked a significant moment in Hollywood history, solidifying the ruby slippers as not only a beloved piece of movie history but also an enduring symbol of cinematic magic.
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