Judy Garland's 'Wizard' Dress to Be Auctioned - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 04-13-2005, 10:08 PM

Garland's 'Wizard' Dress to Be Auctioned

(AP) Michelle Gonsalves, of Bonhams and Butterfields in London,
adjusts the Dorothy dress worn by Judy...
Full Image

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - "Wizard of Oz" fanatics hoping to own the dress worn by Judy Garland in the iconic film might need to appeal to the "Great and Powerful Oz" for financial support.

The blue and white gingham dress worn by Garland when she played Dorothy Gale in 1939 is on display at Bonhams & Butterfields here, and is set to be auctioned April 26 in London. Bonhams said the dress could fetch from $50,000 to $70,000.

"This dress represents the quintessential magic of childhood in the most beloved film of the 20th century," said Jon Baddeley, group head of Bonhams collector's department. "It has become a cherished memory for millions of fans worldwide and was worn by one of the most talented and respected stars in Hollywood."

The dress was custom made for Garland, who was 17 in 1939. It has a 27-inch waist and Garland's name on an inside hem label.

The dress will also be displayed in Los Angeles in mid-April. The auction house didn't identify the previous owner. John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for "Revolution," and a Mick Jagger jacket are also on display at Bonhams in San Francisco in advance of the auction of rock, pop and film memorabilia.

Janice · 04-13-2005, 10:10 PM

I'm surprised that the dress wasn't offered to Liza or Judy's other children. If Judy was my mother, I'd want the dress.

consentida · 04-13-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm surprised that the dress wasn't offered to Liza or Judy's other children. If Judy was my mother, I'd want the dress.

Me too.

Janice · 04-27-2005, 10:36 AM

Judy Garland's 'Wizard of Oz' Dress Sells

LONDON (AP) - The blue and white gingham dress worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" was sold for $252,000 at auction Wednesday.

The dress, one of the most recognizable in movie history, went to a buyer bidding by telephone who did not wish to be identified, said Bonhams, the auctioneer.

Garland, then 17, played the character of Dorothy in the 1939 film.

"This dress represents the quintessential magic of childhood in the most beloved film of the 20th century," said Jon Baddeley, head of the Bonhams collector's department.

"It has become a cherished memory for millions of fans worldwide and was worn by one of the most talented and respected stars in Hollywood," he said. "Film costume rarely gets better than this."

The dress, which had been expected to fetch $63,000, is a pinafore style popular at the time and bears a label with Garland's name sewn on the hem. When it appeared, "The Wizard of Oz" was the most expensive film ever made and it launched Garland's career. The movie vied with "Gone With The Wind" as the most spectacular film of its time.

TripperFan · 04-27-2005, 11:47 AM

Holy smokes!! About $200K more than what they thought. I thought it would go for big bucks. Who knows, maybe Liza or Lorna did buy it.

A few years ago at Halloween, our office put on a whole Wizard Of Oz theme show. I was lucky enough to find an almost exact replica at the local Salvation Army store!! Even in the pale blue and white gingham! Its even the same size as the original.

Wonder what I could get for it on eBay (make it like it was a "backup" dress!!

) Even if its $5 that would be more than what I paid for it!!

Hey Janice - willing to bid on it (now that you're an eBay pro)?!! I've even got red satin "ruby" slippers to go with!!

Hollow · 04-27-2005, 03:53 PM

interesting. i've seen the actual ruby slippers and a few of the other characters' costumes before. they're at the library of congress.

TripperFan · 04-27-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

interesting. i've seen the actual ruby slippers and a few of the other characters' costumes before. they're at the library of congress.

There's also a pair at Universal Studios in Florida. I think there were a total of four pairs they had in reserve for her (in case sequins fell off or whatever).

Max Whittaker · 04-27-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Holy smokes!! About $200K more than what they thought. I thought it would go for big bucks. Who knows, maybe Liza or Lorna did buy it.

A few years ago at Halloween, our office put on a whole Wizard Of Oz theme show. I was lucky enough to find an almost exact replica at the local Salvation Army store!! Even in the pale blue and white gingham! Its even the same size as the original.

Wonder what I could get for it on eBay (make it like it was a "backup" dress!!

) Even if its $5 that would be more than what I paid for it!!

Hey Janice - willing to bid on it (now that you're an eBay pro)?!! I've even got red satin "ruby" slippers to go with!!

All you have to do to make big bucks off of eBay is stick an interesting story onto the product. Letting the media get a hold of the story could help, as well.

You could say that if you let the light hit it just right, you can see the silhouette of the Tin Man on it!

Rhiannon · 04-27-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm surprised that the dress wasn't offered to Liza or Judy's other children. If Judy was my mother, I'd want the dress.

me too. throw in the shoes

Georgia's on my Mind · 04-27-2005, 09:09 PM

There was more than one of these gowns made for the film...Planet Hollywood owns one of then and is on display in Orlando. In addition, I am kind of shocked that that woman is not wearing gloves while handling the dress...that's an important rule in dealing with vintage clothing, or antiques in general.

TripperFan · 04-27-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgia's on my Mind

There was more than one of these gowns made for the film...Planet Hollywood owns one of then and is on display in Orlando. In addition, I am kind of shocked that that woman is not wearing gloves while handling the dress...that's an important rule in dealing with vintage clothing, or antiques in general.

Well then - hey - maybe I got SUPER lucky at the Salvation Army store!!!

I think I paid $4 for it or something like that - and I swear - it is exactly like the dress in that picture - and in a ladies size (not child's which is the styling of the dress).

Could you imagine? Like those stories you hear of people finding masters at garage sales!

webuster · 04-28-2005, 01:00 PM

With such a high-profile auction, there were probably investigations into the authenticity of the dress first.

I read a while ago that to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, a jewellers made a pair of real ruby slippers worth $3 million!

TripperFan · 04-30-2005, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webuster

I read a while ago that to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, a jewellers made a pair of real ruby slippers worth $3 million!

Wow - I'd love to see those!!

04-13-2005, 10:08 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Judy Garland's 'Wizard' Dress to Be Auctioned Garland's 'Wizard' Dress to Be Auctioned (AP) Michelle Gonsalves, of Bonhams and Butterfields in London, adjusts the Dorothy dress worn by Judy... Full Image SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - "Wizard of Oz" fanatics hoping to own the dress worn by Judy Garland in the iconic film might need to appeal to the "Great and Powerful Oz" for financial support. The blue and white gingham dress worn by Garland when she played Dorothy Gale in 1939 is on display at Bonhams & Butterfields here, and is set to be auctioned April 26 in London. Bonhams said the dress could fetch from $50,000 to $70,000. "This dress represents the quintessential magic of childhood in the most beloved film of the 20th century," said Jon Baddeley, group head of Bonhams collector's department. "It has become a cherished memory for millions of fans worldwide and was worn by one of the most talented and respected stars in Hollywood." The dress was custom made for Garland, who was 17 in 1939. It has a 27-inch waist and Garland's name on an inside hem label. The dress will also be displayed in Los Angeles in mid-April. The auction house didn't identify the previous owner. John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for "Revolution," and a Mick Jagger jacket are also on display at Bonhams in San Francisco in advance of the auction of rock, pop and film memorabilia.

04-27-2005, 11:47 AM	#5
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Holy smokes!! About $200K more than what they thought. I thought it would go for big bucks. Who knows, maybe Liza or Lorna did buy it. A few years ago at Halloween, our office put on a whole Wizard Of Oz theme show. I was lucky enough to find an almost exact replica at the local Salvation Army store!! Even in the pale blue and white gingham! Its even the same size as the original. Wonder what I could get for it on eBay (make it like it was a "backup" dress!! ) Even if its $5 that would be more than what I paid for it!! Hey Janice - willing to bid on it (now that you're an eBay pro)?!! I've even got red satin "ruby" slippers to go with!!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

04-13-2005, 10:10 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I'm surprised that the dress wasn't offered to Liza or Judy's other children. If Judy was my mother, I'd want the dress.

04-27-2005, 10:36 AM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Judy Garland's 'Wizard of Oz' Dress Sells LONDON (AP) - The blue and white gingham dress worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" was sold for $252,000 at auction Wednesday. The dress, one of the most recognizable in movie history, went to a buyer bidding by telephone who did not wish to be identified, said Bonhams, the auctioneer. Garland, then 17, played the character of Dorothy in the 1939 film. "This dress represents the quintessential magic of childhood in the most beloved film of the 20th century," said Jon Baddeley, head of the Bonhams collector's department. "It has become a cherished memory for millions of fans worldwide and was worn by one of the most talented and respected stars in Hollywood," he said. "Film costume rarely gets better than this." The dress, which had been expected to fetch $63,000, is a pinafore style popular at the time and bears a label with Garland's name sewn on the hem. When it appeared, "The Wizard of Oz" was the most expensive film ever made and it launched Garland's career. The movie vied with "Gone With The Wind" as the most spectacular film of its time.

04-27-2005, 03:53 PM	#6
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	interesting. i've seen the actual ruby slippers and a few of the other characters' costumes before. they're at the library of congress.

04-27-2005, 09:09 PM	#10
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	There was more than one of these gowns made for the film...Planet Hollywood owns one of then and is on display in Orlando. In addition, I am kind of shocked that that woman is not wearing gloves while handling the dress...that's an important rule in dealing with vintage clothing, or antiques in general.

04-28-2005, 01:00 PM	#12
webuster Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 26, 2002 Posts: 2,150	With such a high-profile auction, there were probably investigations into the authenticity of the dress first. I read a while ago that to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, a jewellers made a pair of real ruby slippers worth $3 million!