An original pair of ruby slippers from the famed 1939 film The Wizard of Oz are on display in central London.
Judy Garland wore the shoes in several memorable scenes, none more so than at the end of the film where she clicks her heels together three times and says “There’s no place like home.”
The slippers are being exhibited at Heritage Auctions’ London showroom, on Hanover Street, before being auctioned in Los Angeles on Saturday (7 December).
It is expected that the shoes, which have Garland’s name written inside, will fetch over $3m (£2.4m) when they go under the hammer.
Michael Shaw purchased the shoes in 1969, and was in the capital to see them go on display. He told City News that he was “glad to extend their showing.”
“I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time to preserve a very important part of Hollywood’s history”, he went on to say.
Emerald City in London
London has long been familiar with the story of the witches and the Land of Oz, with the stage musical Wicked debuting on the West End in 2006.
Nikki Hale, Manager of Special Projects for Heritage Auctions, said that “it’s been really exciting” to bring the shoes to the capital.
“So many people have reached out to me […] being like ‘I can’t wait to see them’ and ‘when are you going to be there?’”
She added that the exhibition was not planned to coincide with the release of the blockbuster musical, but the added interest “doesn’t hurt”.
The slippers are on display alongside other film memorabillia, including the wicked witch’s hat.
The slippers were returned earlier this year, after being stolen while on loan to the Judy Garland museum in 2005.
Long journey down the yellow brick road
The ruby slippers have quite a backstory, but it comes with a happy ending.
Four pairs from The Wizard of Oz are thought to have survived today.
The pair going under the hammer were used in close-up shots, being a slightly darker burgandy colour. While many Hollywood studio props were thrown away, Mr Smith saved the pair.
While on loan to the Judy Garland museum in 2005, the slippers were stolen.
It took American law enforcement until 2018 to recover the pair, and Mr Shaw was reunited with them earlier this year.
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HeadlineWizard of Oz ruby slippers aren’t in Kansas anymore – they’re in central London
Short HeadlineWizard of Oz ruby slippers on display in London
StandfirstOwner Michael Shaw is "glad" to exhibit the shoes, before they are auctioned
An original pair of ruby slippers from the famed 1939 film The Wizard of Oz are on display in central London.
Judy Garland wore the shoes in several memorable scenes, none more so than at the end of the film where she clicks her heels together three times and says “There’s no place like home.”
The slippers are being exhibited at Heritage Auctions’ London showroom, on Hanover Street, before being auctioned in Los Angeles on Saturday (7 December).
It is expected that the shoes, which have Garland’s name written inside, will fetch over $3m (£2.4m) when they go under the hammer.
Michael Shaw purchased the shoes in 1969, and was in the capital to see them go on display. He told City News that he was “glad to extend their showing.”
“I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time to preserve a very important part of Hollywood’s history”, he went on to say.
Emerald City in London
London has long been familiar with the story of the witches and the Land of Oz, with the stage musical Wicked debuting on the West End in 2006.
Nikki Hale, Manager of Special Projects for Heritage Auctions, said that “it’s been really exciting” to bring the shoes to the capital.
“So many people have reached out to me […] being like ‘I can’t wait to see them’ and ‘when are you going to be there?’”
She added that the exhibition was not planned to coincide with the release of the blockbuster musical, but the added interest “doesn’t hurt”.
The slippers are on display alongside other film memorabillia, including the wicked witch’s hat.
The slippers were returned earlier this year, after being stolen while on loan to the Judy Garland museum in 2005.
Long journey down the yellow brick road
The ruby slippers have quite a backstory, but it comes with a happy ending.
Four pairs from The Wizard of Oz are thought to have survived today.
The pair going under the hammer were used in close-up shots, being a slightly darker burgandy colour. While many Hollywood studio props were thrown away, Mr Smith saved the pair.
While on loan to the Judy Garland museum in 2005, the slippers were stolen.
It took American law enforcement until 2018 to recover the pair, and Mr Shaw was reunited with them earlier this year.
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