Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsJudy Garland’s ruby slippers from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz sold at Heritage Auctions on December 7, 2024, for a winning bid of $28 million. The Associated Press reported that the buyer’s total, including the auction-house fee, was $32.5 million. The price was reported as a record for entertainment memorabilia at the time of the sale, and the shoes had a history of theft and recovery that is part of why the story drew wide attention.
The figures, and what each one measures
The headline number and the amount the buyer actually paid are different figures. Readers comparing this sale with other auction results should keep them separate.
| Figure | Amount | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-sale estimate | $3 million or more | Heritage Auctions’ estimate before the sale | AP, December 7, 2024 |
| Winning bid | $28 million | The final bid at the Heritage Auctions sale | AP and MPR News, December 7, 2024 |
| Buyer total | $32.5 million | The winning bid plus the auction-house fee, as reported by AP | AP, December 7, 2024 |
| Prior entertainment-memorabilia record | $5.52 million | Marilyn Monroe’s white dress, as cited by AP in its 2024 coverage | AP, December 7, 2024 |
The $28 million figure is the price the slippers reached under the hammer. The $32.5 million figure is what the buyer paid once the fee was added. Headlines that report only the winning bid understate the buyer’s outlay, and the gap between the two numbers is the auction-house commission, which the reporting does not break down further.
Why the pair was offered and what the catalog claims
Heritage’s catalog lists the lot as the “Judy Garland ‘Dorothy Gale’ Screen Matched Ruby Slippers.” The “screen matched” description is the auction house’s own characterization of the pair, and it is the central claim buyers were asked to accept. It identifies the shoes as matching footwear used on screen in the 1939 film. The catalog is the source for that identification. Neither the FBI’s account nor AP’s reporting independently establishes which scenes the shoes appear in or how the construction was verified.
#1 Best Overall
- Officially licensed
- Heel height: 2.5"
- Man made material
- Care: Spot clean
- Imported
The catalog is available as a PDF on Heritage’s site: Heritage Auctions lot 89182. Read it for the object description and construction details it gives, and treat those as the seller’s representations.
How the slippers were stolen and recovered
The provenance of the pair is the part of the story that most readers will not know. It runs in a clear sequence, and the FBI’s own account of the recovery is the most authoritative source for the chronology.
Rank #2
- COSTUME INCLUDES: Pair of Shoes
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED: The Wizard of Oz Dorothy THE RIGHT FIT: Women's size large (10-14), when deciding size, please note costumes run smaller than apparel
- IMPORTANT DETAILS: Sparkling glitter and patent leather accents, 2.5-inch heel height
- EVERY DAY IS AN OCCASION: Great for Halloween, themed parties, festivals, cosplay events, or anytime, because life is more fun in costume.
- COSTUME DESTINATION: Rubies aims to spark joy and creativity worldwide as your go-to destination for expertly crafted costumes, accessories, and all celebration needs
- 1939: Judy Garland wears the ruby slippers as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
- 2005: The slippers are on display at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when they are stolen.
- 2018: The FBI recovers the pair. Its account, dated September 4, 2018, is the FBI’s report on the recovery.
- 2024: The FBI’s account says the slippers were returned to their rightful owner. AP identifies that owner as collector Michael Shaw, to whom the pair had been loaned.
- December 7, 2024: Heritage Auctions sells the pair.
The FBI recovery established that the stolen pair had been found and returned. It did not establish the catalog’s screen-match claim, which belongs to the auction house. Keep those two questions apart when reading coverage of the sale.
Why the sale was reported as a record
AP reported the sale as a record for entertainment memorabilia, measured against the $5.52 million paid for Marilyn Monroe’s white dress, which AP cited as the prior high. That comparison is a point in time. Record standings change as new sales occur, and this article does not track results after the coverage cited here.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- Officially licensed
- Heel height: 2.5"
- Man made material
- Care: Spot clean
- Imported
The reporting also draws on the object’s unusual history. AP’s account quotes Rhys Thomas, author of The Ruby Slippers of Oz, who wrote that the sequined shoes from the beloved 1939 musical have seen “more twists and turns than the Yellow Brick Road.” That phrase is Thomas’s, as quoted within AP’s sentence, and it is not a transcript of a direct interview.
Reading further
For a fuller account of the shoes’ history, The Ruby Slippers of Oz by Rhys Thomas is the book AP names as the reference on the subject. This article did not verify the current edition, format, or retailer availability, so check a bookseller directly before buying.
Rank #4
- Stepping Stone - Spoontiques’ stepping stones and decorative plaques are a lovely way to brighten up your indoor or outdoor space.
- Fun And Functional - Spruce up your garden or walkway with a beautiful hand-painted garden stone. Featuring everything from bright flowers, to pets, precious memories and everything in between, you’re sure to find the perfect stone for your home!
- Outdoor Décor - Place your vibrant stepping stone in your garden or walkway. Your stone is made of durable resin and is meant to withstand outdoor elements. Resin prevents water damage and splitting.
- Wall Plaque - Spoontiques Stepping Stones measure approximately 9-5/8” in diameter and include hardware on the back for hanging on your wall or patio.
- Hand Painted - Spoontiques stepping stones are hand painted and encompass thoughtful messaging, gorgeous color and great quality that you expect in home art.
Readers who want the film itself should look for a current home-video or streaming listing, since availability for a title this old varies by region and service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the sale does and does not establish
The sale is a completed 2024 transaction. Coverage supports three things: the winning bid, the buyer total, and the record claim as reported at the time. It supports the theft-and-recovery timeline through the FBI’s account, and it supports the object description only as Heritage presented it. Beyond those points, the record standing, the current ownership of the pair after the sale, and any later valuation are outside what the sources here can confirm.
Best Value
- DESIGN INSPIRATION: Charming ruby red 3D slipper earrings inspired by the magical world of Oz, featuring delicate bow details and sparkling finish
- MATERIALS: Silver-tone metal settings with deep red ruby crystal studs and translucent ruby-colored acrylic slipper charms
- STYLE: Eye-catching dangle design combines a round red Ruby stud with an elegant slipper drop for a whimsical statement piece
- VERSATILITY: Perfect for both casual and dressy occasions, these earrings add a touch of fantasy to any outfit while remaining sophisticated
- DIMENSIONS: Each slipper charm measures approximately 1 inch in length, making these earrings a noticeable yet tasteful accessory
Heritage’s catalog and the AP report both describe the pair as a work of screen-used footwear. That is the most specific claim in the story, and it is the auction house’s claim.
The regional reporting from Minnesota Public Radio, dated December 7, 2024, corroborates the distinction between the winning bid and the buyer total. Its headline uses the $28 million figure, as AP does: MPR News, “Stolen ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ are auctioned for $28 million”. For the full sale report with the buyer-total figure and the estimate, the Associated Press report is the primary source.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
