A costume worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” that was lacking for many years earlier than it was discovered at a Catholic college final 12 months may fetch greater than $1 million at public sale.
The traditional blue and white gingham costume will be on view at Bonhams New York from April 23 to 29. It will then go to Los Angeles to be offered on May 24 for anyplace between $800,000 to $1.2 million, Bonhams stated in a launch.
“The iconic blue and white gingham dress is one of only two existing dresses retaining the white blouse and only one of four blue and white dresses in existence,” the discharge stated. “This incredibly rare and iconic Hollywood costume has also been matched to a specific scene in the beloved movie, namely when Dorothy faces the Wicked Witch of the West in the Witch’s Castle.”
The costume was gifted to The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1973. “It was given to Rev. Gilbert Hartke, illustrious head of the drama program, by actress Mercedes McCambridge, who served as artist-in-residence at CatholicU in 1972,” in accordance to the college.
The costume, Catholic University’s Tower Newspaper wrote, was meant to be a supply of “hope, strength, and courage” to college students.
But then it vanished. Rumors of the gifted garb appeared much less and fewer probably because the years handed with out anybody seeing the costume.
Matt Ripa, who labored in the drama division and Hartke, the constructing named after the priest, would from time to time search for the costume, however began to consider “the legend of Dorothy’s dress was ‘a tall tale (of which many exist for Father Hartke),'” in accordance to the college.
But sooner or later final summer time, because the division underwent renovations, Ripa observed a bag atop school mailboxes. Inside of the bag was a field, and contained in the field was the costume.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Ripa said. “Needless to say, I’ve discovered many fascinating issues in Hartke throughout my time at Catholic University, however I feel this one takes the cake!”
The college contacted the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, which has a number of artifacts from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Experts at the museum said that the dresses determined to be authentic, like the dress found at the university, have specific characteristics like a secret pocket, “Judy Garland” written by hand in a script, and repaired tears the place a thinner half of the costume typically tore when Garland took it off.
Evidence that this costume was genuine was “strong,” in accordance to the college. Proceeds from the costume will go to the The Catholic University of America’s drama division.
“This costume has an unimaginable historical past and Bonhams is honored to be a component of its journey. Important costumes from this iconic film not often seem on the public sale market and to be in a position to pinpoint the scene in which this was worn by Judy Garland is thrilling,” said Helen Hall, director of popular culture at Bonhams in Los Angeles.
The other dress with a blouse was sold by Bonhams in 2015 for $1.5 million, the most every for a Dorothy dress, according to Bonhams.
Bonhams also sold the Cowardly Lion costume worn by actor Bert Lahr for more than $3 million in 2014.
The costume will not be the primary relic from the film to go lacking. In 2018, a pair of crimson ruby slippers worn by Garland have been recovered 13 years after they’d been stolen from a museum. That pair is one of 4 that also exists, together with one housed in the Smithsonian the place, just like the costume, the stolen sneakers have been introduced to be authenticated.
