MINNEAPOLIS — After nearly 20 years since their theft, the iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” are set to be auctioned off to the highest bidder this Saturday.
Heritage Auctions predicts that these famous shoes could sell for at least $3 million. Online bidding kicked off last month and reached approximately $1.55 million by Friday, which includes a buyer’s premium, according to Robert Wilonsky, a vice president at the auction house. There has been notable interest, with over 800 people following the auction, and nearly 43,000 page views on the auction’s web page by Thursday.
As Rhys Thomas, author of “The Ruby Slippers of Oz,” aptly puts it, the journey of these sequined shoes has been filled with drama and mystery, much like the adventures down the Yellow Brick Road.
The ruby slippers were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2005 when they were stolen. Terry Jon Martin broke into the museum, smashing the glass display case to take the shoes.
The precious slippers vanished for many years until the FBI recovered them in 2018. It wasn’t until May 2023 that Martin, now 77 and living in northern Minnesota, was officially identified as the thief. He pleaded guilty in October 2023. Due to his health issues, he received a sentence of time served last January.
Martin’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, explained that Martin, who has a background of theft, was driven to commit the crime for the possibility of a big payday. An old associate hinted that the slippers were embellished with real jewels, raising their expected value. However, Martin later learned the rubies were actually glass, leading him to dispose of the slippers.
Also involved in this case is Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, from a suburb of Minneapolis. He was indicted in March and is facing trial in January, maintaining his innocence.
The recovered slippers were returned in February to Michael Shaw, a memorabilia collector who had loaned them to the museum. While Garland wore several pairs during filming, only four are known to have survived. In the film, Dorothy famously clicks her heels three times, echoing the phrase, “There’s no place like home.”
Notably, the Judy Garland Museum is among those participating in the auction, having raised funds through the annual Judy Garland festival, alongside state support of $100,000 aimed at helping the museum secure the shoes.
Interest surrounding “The Wizard of Oz” has surged recently, fueled by the release of the film “Wicked,” which reinterprets the story and its characters, including the Wicked Witch of the West.
This auction will also feature other memorable items from “The Wizard of Oz,” including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the original Wicked Witch.
