With Wicked-mania sweeping the globe, everyone in an Oz state of mind. Apparently, some folks are so much in an Oz state of mind they are willing to put down $28 million dollars for a pair of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. According to The Hollywood Reporter, that’s exactly how much someone paid for them this past weekend. This makes them the most expensive piece of movie memorabilia ever. Heritage Auctions handled the sale. This far outpriced the previous most expensive item of movie memorabilia, Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch. That one sold for $5 million.
The buyer of this pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 1939 chooses to remain anonymous, but we’re dying of curiosity to know who this mega-rich person is who is this much of an Oz fan. Considering that this particular pair of ruby slippers was once stolen and remained undiscovered for 13 years, it does make sense that the new owner wouldn’t want anyone to know they had them in their possession. Besides, people who own those shoes also tend to have houses dropped on them from out of nowhere. Maybe it’s best not to let everyone on Earth know you have Dorothy’s sparkly shoes.
Three other pairs of Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz are still in existence. One is on display in the Smithsonian. A consortium of buyers including Steven Spielberg and Leonardo Dicaprio purchased another pair back in 2012. An anonymous collector owns the last pair. Dorothy’s ruby slippers weren’t the only Wizard of Oz piece of memorabilia sold at this auction. A pointy witch hat worn by Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West also sold for $2.93 million. Who knows, maybe in 85 years, Cynthia Erivo’s witch hat from Wicked will go for that much at auction? Actually, we think someone would spend that much for it now. Wicked fans are that level of dedicated.