By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” are being auctioned, nearly two decades after they were stolen by a thief who believed them to be adorned with real jewels. Bidding has reached over $812,000, with the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, among the contenders for the iconic footwear. The slippers, one of only four remaining pairs worn during filming, were recovered by the FBI in 2018 after being stolen in 2005. The thief, Terry Jon Martin, was sentenced to time served for the crime, admitting to using a hammer to break into the museum in an attempt to “pull off one last score.”
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The ruby slippers from _The Wizard of Oz_ are set to go up for auction, a full 20 years after they were stolen from a museum. It’s a fascinating story, filled with twists and turns that would make even Dorothy herself gasp.
The slippers, which are insured for a whopping $1 million, were famously stolen in 2005 when a thief smashed through the museum’s door and display case. The perpetrator, described as a teenager with a rap sheet that includes receiving stolen goods, transporting stolen goods, trespassing, conspiracy, and murder, believed the slippers were adorned with real rubies. He thought that if they were insured for a million dollars, they must be covered in valuable jewels. It seems he was sadly mistaken, as the slippers were simply screen-used props.
While the thief’s motivations may be questionable, there’s no doubt these ruby slippers hold significant value for collectors. It’s a relic-level collectors item, and many people would be willing to spend their life savings for the chance to own them.
The auction is already generating excitement among enthusiasts, with the current bid already reaching $812,000. There’s a month left to go, so it’s likely the bidding will only intensify. While the auction’s publicity is attracting interest, it’s also causing controversy. The family of the memorabilia collector who loaned the slippers to the museum is wondering if they’ll see any of the proceeds from the sale.
This is just the latest chapter in the saga of the ruby slippers, which have seen their fair share of drama. They were stolen from a museum, they’ve been the subject of a _Destination Unknown_ episode, and they’ve inspired a wealth of discussion among fans.
Despite the history, these shoes are a piece of movie history that continues to capture imaginations. As the auction unfolds, the world will be watching with anticipation, wondering who will ultimately be the lucky owner of these iconic ruby slippers.