The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” have been returned to their owner nearly 20 years after being stolen from a museum in the late actress’s hometown.
However, instead of keeping them, the owner has immediately turned them over to Heritage Auctions for an international tour and eventual sale.
The ruby slippers played a crucial role in the beloved musical. Garland’s character, Dorothy, dances down the Yellow Brick Road and clicks her heels three times to return home to Kansas. Several pairs were used during filming, and only four remain today.
Memorabilia collector Michael Shaw owns the pair being auctioned. This pair is believed to be the highest quality, as it was used in close-up shots of Garland’s character clicking her heels. This pair was to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005. That summer, someone smashed the display case and stole the bedazzled shoes. The FBI recovered them in 2018.
In February, the slippers were returned to Shaw in a ceremony, but details were only disclosed recently. Heritage Auctions, a Dallas-based company, plans to take the slippers on a tour with stops in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Tokyo before auctioning them in December.
Two men have been charged in connection with the theft. Terry Jon Martin, 76, pleaded guilty to theft of a major artwork. Due to his poor, health, he was sentenced to “time served.” Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, has been charged with theft and witness tampering, but his lawyer maintains the client’s innocence.
The ruby slippers have amassed a market value of around $3.5 million. The Judy Garland Museum claims to house the world’s largest collection of Garland and “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia, including the actress’s childhood home.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.