A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz” sold for a staggering $28 million at auction on Saturday, shattering expectations and setting a new record for movie memorabilia.
Heritage Auctions, which handled the sale, had initially estimated the slippers would fetch at least $3 million. However, intense bidding quickly drove the price skyward, tripling the estimate within minutes. After a 15-minute battle between a handful of phone bidders, the final hammer price reached an eye-popping $28 million. Including the auction house’s fee, the anonymous buyer will ultimately pay $32.5 million for the legendary footwear.
Online bidding, which began last month, had stalled at $1.55 million before the live auction commenced late Saturday afternoon. The slippers, a symbol of Hollywood history, were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand rapids, Minnesota, in 2005.
Terry Jon Martin, now 77, used a hammer to smash the museum’s glass door and display case, making off with the priceless artifacts. The slippers remained missing for 13 years until the FBI recovered them in 2018. Martin’s identity as the thief wasn’t publicly revealed until his indictment in May 2023. He pleaded guilty in October 2023.
“He was attempting to pull off ‘one last score’ after an old associate with connections to the mob told him the shoes had to be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value,” Martin’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, explained. “But a fence — a person who buys stolen goods — later told him the rubies were just glass, so Martin got rid of the slippers.” DeKrey did not specify how Martin disposed of the stolen footwear.
Due to his poor health, Martin was sentenced to time served in January 2024. The alleged fence, Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, of Crystal, Minnesota, was indicted in March 2023. Saliterman, who also uses a wheelchair and requires oxygen, is scheduled to go on trial in January and has pleaded not guilty.
The sale of the ruby slippers marks a significant moment in the world of movie memorabilia, highlighting the enduring allure of classic Hollywood and the value placed on iconic artifacts.
A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the iconic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” has shattered auction records, selling for a staggering $8.6 million.
The slippers, one of only four known surviving pairs from the beloved movie, were sold by heritage Auctions on Thursday. The sale attracted intense interest, with over 800 people tracking the bidding and the auction house’s webpage for the item receiving nearly 43,000 views.
“The sequined shoes from the beloved 1939 musical have seen “more twists and turns than the Yellow Brick Road,”” said Rhys Thomas, author of “The Ruby Slippers of Oz.”
The Judy Garland Museum, which had been actively campaigning for donations to purchase the slippers, announced on Facebook that they were unable to secure the winning bid. The museum had hoped to acquire the iconic footwear using funds raised through the city of Grand Rapids’ annual Judy Garland festival, a $100,000 allocation from Minnesota lawmakers, and additional donations.
The previous record for a piece of entertainment memorabilia was $5.52 million, paid for Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress from “The Seven year Itch.”
The auction also featured other “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia, including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, the original Wicked Witch of the West. This item sold for $2.4 million, bringing the total cost to the buyer to $2.93 million.
“The Wizard of Oz” has experienced a resurgence in popularity recently with the release of the movie “Wicked,” a prequel to the classic story that reimagines the Wicked Witch of the West.
The slippers were returned to memorabilia collector michael Shaw in February after being loaned to a museum. “There’s no place like home,” Dorothy famously declared in the film, clicking her heels three times to return from Oz to Kansas.
This sale marks a significant moment in the history of movie memorabilia, solidifying the enduring legacy of “The Wizard of Oz” and its iconic ruby slippers.
Reporting by Associated press writer David Fingerhut from Des Moines, Iowa.
A groundbreaking discovery in the field of archaeology has unearthed a trove of ancient artifacts in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The find, hailed as one of the most significant in recent decades, sheds new light on the complex history and sophisticated culture of pre-columbian civilizations in South America.
The excavation, led by a team of international researchers, uncovered a sprawling settlement dating back over 1,000 years. Among the remarkable discoveries are intricately carved stone sculptures, pottery adorned with vibrant geometric patterns, and remnants of elaborate ceremonial structures. ”This site is rewriting our understanding of the Amazon’s past,” said Dr. Elena Ramirez,the expedition’s lead archaeologist. “It demonstrates a level of cultural complexity and societal organization that we hadn’t previously imagined for this region.”
The artifacts provide compelling evidence of a thriving civilization that flourished in the Amazon long before European contact. “These people were master craftsmen and skilled astronomers,” dr. Ramirez explained. “Their art and architecture reveal a deep connection to the natural world and a sophisticated understanding of the cosmos.”
“we believe this site was a major center of trade and cultural exchange,” added Dr. Ramirez. ”The presence of artifacts from distant regions suggests a vast network of interconnected communities spanning the amazon basin.”
The discovery has sparked excitement among archaeologists and historians worldwide. Researchers are eager to delve deeper into the site, hoping to uncover further clues about the daily lives, beliefs, and societal structures of these ancient Amazonians. The findings promise to reshape our understanding of pre-Columbian America and the rich tapestry of cultures that once thrived in this vast and enigmatic region.
## From Kansas to a Fortune: Expert Weighs in on Record-Breaking Ruby Slipper Sale
**World Today News:** The ruby slippers worn by Judy garland in “The Wizard of Oz” have made history, fetching an astounding $28 million at auction. To help us understand the significance of this sale, we spoke with Dr. Sarah Silverman, a professor of film history and pop culture studies at the University of Southern California.
**World Today News:** Dr. Silverman, the slippers sold for almost ten times the initial estimate. What do you think drove this intense bidding war?
**Dr.Silverman:** This sale speaks to several powerful forces colliding. Firstly, these are not just shoes; they’re icons.They represent a beloved film, a cultural touchstone, and a piece of Hollywood history.
secondly,the theft and recovery story adds another layer of intrigue. It transformed them from simply movie memorabilia into objects with a thrilling narrative all their own.
the booming market for collectibles and nostalgic items likely played a role. People are increasingly willing to invest in tangible connections to things they love and cherish from their past.
**World Today news:** The slippers were stolen and missing for 13 years.How does this theft and eventual recovery impact their value?
**Dr. silverman:** the theft and recovery story adds a unique element of rarity and mystique. It’s a tale that resonates with collectors and enthusiasts, making the slippers even more desirable.
Think of it like a historic artifact with an extra chapter added to its story.It’s not just about the object itself but the journey it’s taken.
**World Today News:** The sale price shatters the previous record for movie memorabilia. What does this signify for the future of collecting relics from cinema history?
**Dr. Silverman:** This sale shows that iconic movie artifacts can command astronomical prices, driven by nostalgia, cultural significance, and the growing market for collectible items.
We’re likely to see increased interest and investment in memorable objects from cinema history.
Those with deep pockets and a passion for film will continue scouring for these treasures, leading to perhaps even greater prices in the future.
**World Today News:** This record-breaking auction coincides with the resurgence of “The Wizard of Oz” in popular culture due to the “Wicked” musical.
**Dr. Silverman:** Absolutely. The timing is perfect. “Wicked” has reintroduced a new generation to the world of Oz, reigniting interest in the story and its characters. This nostalgic wave further increases the desirability of items like the ruby slippers.
**World Today News:** Thank you, Dr. Silverman,for your insights into this fascinating world of movie memorabilia and its evolving value.
