In 2005, a pair of iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” were stolen from a museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. After a long search, the FBI finally recovered the stolen slippers in 2018. Now, the Judy Garland Museum is trying to raise funds to purchase the shoes at an auction scheduled for December.
The museum has launched a campaign to raise money for the purchase, with the Minnesota Legislature already approving $100,000 to support the effort. However, the estimated value of the slippers is $3.5 million, so there is still a significant amount of money to be raised. The slippers are one of only four known surviving pairs worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 film, making them incredibly valuable and culturally significant.
The slippers are set to be auctioned off by Heritage Auctions on December 7th on behalf of their current owner, Michael Shaw, a collector who had previously lent them to the museum. Janie Heitz, the executive director of the Judy Garland Museum, hopes to permanently display the slippers at the museum, which also includes the house where Garland lived as a young child.
Heitz expressed her desire for a “Hollywood happy ending” to the saga of the ruby slippers, emphasizing that it would be fitting for the shoes to find their final home at the museum. This would complete a full-circle story reminiscent of Dorothy’s journey in “The Wizard of Oz.” The slippers hold a special place in American film history and are considered to be one of the most recognizable cultural artifacts from the movie.
The museum’s efforts to recover the stolen ruby slippers highlight the enduring legacy of Judy Garland and the importance of preserving iconic pieces of film history. With the support of the community and generous donors, the museum hopes to secure the slippers and ensure that they remain a treasured part of their collection for years to come.