One of cinema’s most treasured relics, the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, are now available to collectors through Heritage Auctions, marking the first opportunity in years to own this iconic piece of Hollywood history. The bidding is currently set at over $800,000, a fraction of the FBI’s estimated value of $3.5 million following the slippers’ recovery in 2018, thirteen years after their daring heist from the Judy Garland Museum in Minnesota. The auction will close on December 7, 2024, with the next minimum bid set at $825,000.
These slippers were not merely a film prop but a deeply symbolic artifact. The vintage shoes, crafted by Innes Shoe Co. from red silk faille, hand-sequined silk georgette, and white leather, hold a prominent place in pop culture. Their intricate details include hand-cut buckram bows, rimmed rhinestones, and centers adorned with bugle beads and jewels, designed to captivate audiences in The Wizard of Oz, often cited as one of the most iconic films of all time. The slippers’ vivid construction and unmistakable sparkle helped them become a cinematic icon and an enduring symbol of Dorothy’s journey.
The shoes’ dramatic history also adds to their allure. Terry Jon Martin, a former mobster, stole the slippers in 2005, lured by the idea of “one last score” and the shoes’ million-dollar insurance value. Mistakenly believing them to be adorned with real rubies, Martin was later charged with theft of major artwork by the U.S. District Court in Minnesota. Michael Shaw, who had originally acquired the slippers in 1970, now leads the auction in collaboration with Heritage Auctions.
These ruby slippers offer collectors an extraordinary chance to own a piece of cinematic legacy, and their auction is already drawing widespread interest. For fans of The Wizard of Oz and film history enthusiasts alike, these slippers remain a unique link to the golden age of Hollywood, a cultural artifact that has endured both onscreen and off.
