Ruby Slippers From ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Are Up For Auction

Judy Garland and her ruby slippers
Screen Archives/Getty Images

If we had a dollar for every time we wished we could click our heels together and chant “There’s no place like home” until we magically teleported — well, we probably still wouldn’t have enough to bid on Dorothy’s famous ruby slippers. Worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz,” these sparkling shoes are more than just a costume piece: They’re a pop culture icon. Now, one of the most famous pairs of these legendary shoes is set to make headlines again as they hit the auction block, carrying a storied past that includes a mysterious theft and a place in Hollywood’s most cherished memorabilia.

Which Slippers Are Up for Sale?

Ruby red slippers
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

We all know and recognize Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.” They might even be the single most iconic shoes in cinematic history. However, the slippers currently up for sale aren’t the only set of ruby reds used in the film.

Of all the ruby slippers created and used in the 1939 movie, only four are still around. Three of them were found by costumer Kent Warner to sell in the legendary 1970 MGM Auction, and were eventually donated to the Smithsonian. One of the pairs — the one that is now for sale — was sold by Warner to collector Michael Shaw, who displayed them on tour around the country. Shaw’s slippers appear darker than any other ruby shoes, likely because they were stored away from direct light.

Are the Shoes Made of Real Rubies?

dorothy wax figure
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

Despite their name, the ruby slippers aren’t bedazzled with authentic gems. The shoes are vintage Innes Shoe Co. heels made of red silk faille. Their iconic sparkle comes from hand-sequined silk georgette covering the uppers and heels, giving the illusion of gemstones under Technicolor lighting. The bows feature hand-cut buckram cloth, accented with rhinestones, bugle beads, and three central faux “jewels.” To complete the effect, the soles were painted red, with orange felt adhered to the forefoot for stability on set. 

Were the Slippers Previously Stolen?

ruby red slippers
BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

This sale isn’t the first time these slippers have made headlines. These ruby slippers were at the center of a high-profile heist in 2005. The iconic shoes, displayed at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota (on loan from Shaw), were stolen in the dead of night. Thieves (both in their 70s at the time of the heist) broke into the museum by smashing a window and bypassing a security system (stealthiest seniors ever?). 

The slippers vanished without a trace, leaving investigators with few leads and sparking widespread speculation. The theft made headlines worldwide, with theories ranging from an inside job to an elaborate scheme orchestrated by Hollywood memorabilia enthusiasts. Despite the high value of the slippers — insured for $1 million at the time — the case went cold for over a decade. It wasn’t until 2018 that the FBI announced the recovery of the stolen pair, following an undercover operation. 

Who Is Auctioning the Slippers?

auctioneer
ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images
ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images

Heritage Auctions, one of the world’s leading auction houses specializing in rare collectibles and memorabilia, is spearheading this sale. Based in Dallas, Texas, Heritage has a reputation for handling high-profile entertainment artifacts, including items linked to Hollywood legends. The auction is live now until December 7. Bidding is currently at $1,150,000.

What Else Is Up for Sale?

wicked witch lurking by dorothy and the scarecrow
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Dorothy’s ruby reds aren’t the only piece of iconic movie memorabilia you’ll find at Heritage’s sale. Other lots include the Wicked Witch’s hat (also from “The Wizard of Oz”), a Golden Ticket from 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” and a hoverboard from “Back to the Future Part II,” among tons of other legendary movie props and artifacts.

Author
Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and English. Throughout her career, she has dabbled in a variety of subject matter from finance and higher education to lifestyle pieces and food writing. She also enjoys writing stories based on social media trends. Find her on Instagram @rachel.schneider922