There's No Place Like the Auction Block: Dorothy's Ruby Slippers for Sale

The Ruby Red Slippers worn by Dorothy (Judy Garland) in 'The Wizard of Oz.' CREDIT: Profiles in History View full size image

The Ruby Red Slippers that Dorothy clicked together three times in 'The Wizard of Oz' will be going up for auction in December.

Profiles in History, which will auction off the slippers during a three-day auction of Hollywood memorabilia starting December 15, expects the shoes to go for somewhere between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000.

There are four pairs of screen used Ruby Slippers known to have survived the 70 years since the making of "The Wizard of Oz." One pair is the center piece of the Icons of American Culture exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and is one of the most asked about artifacts at the museum. (So viewed are these slippers that the carpet in front of them has had to be replaced numerous times.)

Another pair was stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and, unfortunately, will likely never be recovered. The third pair is in private hands and will not be reaching the market any time soon.

The final fourth pair up for auction are marked on the inside lining, "#7 Judy Garland" and the leather soles are painted red on the bottom. The lack of felt, in addition to light, circular scuffs evident on the soles indicate their use in the extra-close-up or "insert" shots when Judy Garland taps her heels together at the film's climax. Their condition is near mint and it is also believed that this "beauty" pair was placed on the protruding feet of the Wicked Witch of the East after she was squashed by Dorothy's house because they exhibit slightly higher heels and the bottoms of the shoes were exposed to the camera.

• What's the Most Expensive Painting Ever Sold?
• Why Do Celebrities Give Their Kids Weird Names?
• What's the Most Successful Movie Franchise of All Time?