A pair of Dorothy's famous ruby slippers, worn by Judy Garland in the classic film "The Wizard of Oz," sold for $32.5 million at auction.
This sale set a record, making the slippers the most valuable movie memorabilia ever sold at auction. Another notable item from the same film, the Wicked Witch's iconic hat, was also sold for $2.9 million.
The notable fame of the items may have played a role in the substantial price they fetched.
The famous ruby slippers were stolen in a bold heist from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids in August 2005 by 77-year-old Terry Jon Martin.
Years later, the FBI received a tip in 2018 that led to the recovery of the stolen slippers. To verify their authenticity, investigators compared the recovered slippers to a pair housed at the Smithsonian Institution.
They discovered that the two pairs had been mixed up, with each now containing one shoe from two different sets of ruby slippers, according to information from the auction house.
After being in the possession of the FBI, the slippers were eventually reunited with their rightful owner, Michael Shaw, in recent months.
Shaw had graciously lent the slippers to the museum, as reported by the AP, before entrusting Heritage Auctions with the task of selling them at the upcoming auction.
In court records from last year, Martin admitted to the crime, revealing his desire to carry out a final heist. Following his guilty plea in October 2023, he received a sentence of time served in January due to his deteriorating health.
During his sentencing, he used a wheelchair and was reliant on additional oxygen support.
Upon hearing a suggestion from a colleague that the slippers were adorned with genuine jewels to validate their $1 million insurance valuation, Martin felt compelled to carry out the crime.
However, upon learning from another associate that the jewels were merely made of glass, Martin decided to part ways with them, as disclosed by his attorney. The lawyer did not disclose the method by which he disposed of the slippers.
Meanwhile, the second individual facing charges was formally accused in March and is scheduled to stand trial in January. Despite not yet entering a plea, his legal representative has maintained his innocence.
