Devotees of the classic fantasy film The Wizard of Oz are being presented with a remarkable opportunity to acquire a piece of cinematic history. As excitement builds for the new film Wicked: For Good, a prestigious auction will offer the chance to own the iconic black hat worn by Margaret Hamilton in her legendary role as the Wicked Witch of the West.
A Transformative Piece of Film History
The hat, crafted from wool, is a central item in the upcoming sale hosted by Heritage Auctions. It stands nearly 14 inches high and features a brim with a 19.5-inch diameter. A key detail for the film's action sequences is its 22-inch elastic chin strap, which was essential for keeping the hat secured during Hamilton's famous flying scenes.
Designed by the renowned Gilbert Adrian, this specific hat was selected after an initial design was considered not menacing enough. Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President of Heritage Auctions, emphasised the hat's profound significance within the film's narrative. He stated, "When Dorothy Gale becomes Dorothy of Oz, it's when she puts on the ruby slippers. When the Wicked Witch becomes the Wicked Witch, she puts on the hat. So it's this transformational moment of the birth of the witch. I think the importance of the hat is just incredible. It's on par with the slippers."
Treasure Trove of Oz Memorabilia
The auction, scheduled for 9 and 10 December, will feature a host of other coveted items. Among them is a Wizard of Oz book signed by Judy Garland, which includes a lengthy inscription from the star, other cast autographs, and even Toto’s paw prints. This particular book was a gift to the daughter of Garland's on-set tutor.
Fans of Dorothy's famous footwear will also have options. The sale includes a right-foot ruby slipper worn by Garland during rehearsals, decorated with crimson-burgundy glass bugle beads. Additionally, a 50th-anniversary replica made by the Western Costume Company is available. This replica was created using Garland's original shoe form and features red sequins and rhinestone bows. Maddalena noted that these replicas "are as close as you're ever going to get to owning a pair of ruby slippers that weren't screen-used."
Further rounding out the collection are a handwritten letter from L. Frank Baum, the original author of the Oz stories, and an organza blouse worn by Judy Garland, which still bears her handwritten name tag.
Following a Record-Breaking Sale
This event follows a highly successful auction held by Heritage last year, where a different pair of the film's ruby slippers sold for a staggering $28 million. It is believed that while several pairs of the red shoes were made for Garland during filming, only four authentic pairs have survived to the present day.
In the 1939 film, Dorothy receives the magical slippers after her house lands in Oz, crushing the Wicked Witch of the East. An interesting divergence from the source material is that in Baum's original novel, the slippers were silver, but the filmmakers changed them to a ruby red to better showcase the new Technicolor technology.
