A slice of cinematic magic shattered records this weekend as Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz sold for a jaw-dropping $32.5 million (including Buyers Premium) at Heritage Auctions. The sale marks the highest price ever paid for a piece of movie memorabilia, cementing the slippers’ legendary status.
The December 7 Hollywood/Entertainment Signature Auction realised a total of $38,615,188, an entertainment auction record, no doubt part-fuelled by the current global box-office success of the Oz musical Wicked.
The ruby slippers, one of only four surviving pairs worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie classic, were the undisputed stars of the show.
The Luxe Review was invited to an exclusive preview of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, along with other Oz movie memorabilia (including Judy Garland’s wig), at a pre-auction preview in London.
The Heritage Auction sale marks the highest price ever paid for a piece of movie memorabilia, cementing the slippers’ legendary status…
Live bidding began at $1.55 million and escalated in thrilling million-dollar increments, culminating in a final bid that drew applause from the room. Pre-auction estimates anticipated a $3 million starting point, but the slippers soared well beyond expectations.
“These slippers are not just a piece of Hollywood history, they are a cultural touchstone,” declared Joe Maddalena, Heritage Auctions’ Executive Vice President. “Their record-breaking sale underscores the enduring impact of cinema on collectors and fans alike.”
Dorothy’s ruby slippers, known as ‘The Stolen Pair’ due to their 2005 theft and 2018 recovery by the FBI, were crafted by MGM costume designer Gilbert Adrian; he stitched the sequins onto red silk faille heels. The slippers are darker in colour than any of the other surviving pairs.
Other Wizard of Oz Memorabilia sold include the Wicked Witch’s Hat, another Wizard of Oz treasure. This iconic headwear is said to be the finest example of the Wicked Witch’s hat known to exist. It was originally worn by Margaret Hamilton, and is signed inside the brim with ‘M. Hamilton 4461-164.’ The hat fetched $2.93 million.
Producer Mervyn LeRoy’s script copy achieved a hammer price of $50,000; Dorothy’s Kansas screen door went for $37,500; Judy Garland’s ‘Dorothy Gale’ wig sold for $30,000, and MGM’s contract for ‘Over the Rainbow’ was nabbed for $23,125.
Of course, the Hollywood auction wasn’t just about The Wizard of Oz.
The Jumanji game board, the primary hero prop from Jumanji (1995), complete with dice and tokens, sold for $275,000 after intense bidding.
The Hoverboard from Back to the Future Part lI, signed by Michael J. Fox, realised $237,500. Proceeds will support The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
A King Kong Prop – a screen-matched ‘Concentration No. 3 Gas Bombs’ container from the 1933 stop motion monster movie – fetched $187,500, while Kevin McCallister’s outfit from Home Alone – knit cap, scarf, and coat – sold for $162,500.
A Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), one of the few remaining screen-used golden tickets, realised $118,750, and Director Francis Ford Coppola’s annotated copy of Mario Puzo’s The Godfather novel, sold for $100,000.
Click here to see all the results from Heritage’s Hollywood/Entertainment Signature Auction.
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The Luxe Review 
A slice of cinematic magic shattered records this weekend as Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz sold for a jaw-dropping $32.5 million (including Buyers Premium) at Heritage Auctions. The sale marks the highest price ever paid for a piece of movie memorabilia, cementing the slippers’ legendary status.
The December 7 Hollywood/Entertainment Signature Auction realised a total of $38,615,188, an entertainment auction record, no doubt part-fuelled by the current global box-office success of the Oz musical Wicked.
The ruby slippers, one of only four surviving pairs worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie classic, were the undisputed stars of the show.
The Luxe Review was invited to an exclusive preview of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, along with other Oz movie memorabilia (including Judy Garland’s wig), at a pre-auction preview in London.
Live bidding began at $1.55 million and escalated in thrilling million-dollar increments, culminating in a final bid that drew applause from the room. Pre-auction estimates anticipated a $3 million starting point, but the slippers soared well beyond expectations.
“These slippers are not just a piece of Hollywood history, they are a cultural touchstone,” declared Joe Maddalena, Heritage Auctions’ Executive Vice President. “Their record-breaking sale underscores the enduring impact of cinema on collectors and fans alike.”
Dorothy’s ruby slippers, known as ‘The Stolen Pair’ due to their 2005 theft and 2018 recovery by the FBI, were crafted by MGM costume designer Gilbert Adrian; he stitched the sequins onto red silk faille heels. The slippers are darker in colour than any of the other surviving pairs.
Other Wizard of Oz Memorabilia sold include the Wicked Witch’s Hat, another Wizard of Oz treasure. This iconic headwear is said to be the finest example of the Wicked Witch’s hat known to exist. It was originally worn by Margaret Hamilton, and is signed inside the brim with ‘M. Hamilton 4461-164.’ The hat fetched $2.93 million.
Producer Mervyn LeRoy’s script copy achieved a hammer price of $50,000; Dorothy’s Kansas screen door went for $37,500; Judy Garland’s ‘Dorothy Gale’ wig sold for $30,000, and MGM’s contract for ‘Over the Rainbow’ was nabbed for $23,125.
Of course, the Hollywood auction wasn’t just about The Wizard of Oz.
The Jumanji game board, the primary hero prop from Jumanji (1995), complete with dice and tokens, sold for $275,000 after intense bidding.
The Hoverboard from Back to the Future Part lI, signed by Michael J. Fox, realised $237,500. Proceeds will support The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
A King Kong Prop – a screen-matched ‘Concentration No. 3 Gas Bombs’ container from the 1933 stop motion monster movie – fetched $187,500, while Kevin McCallister’s outfit from Home Alone – knit cap, scarf, and coat – sold for $162,500.
A Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), one of the few remaining screen-used golden tickets, realised $118,750, and Director Francis Ford Coppola’s annotated copy of Mario Puzo’s The Godfather novel, sold for $100,000.
Click here to see all the results from Heritage’s Hollywood/Entertainment Signature Auction.
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