Return of the Ruby Slippers
“At the heart of nearly every art crime, we see greed woven into the fabric of the scheme—greed to take it, and greed to profit from its return.”
Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis Division of the FBI
"A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and stolen from the actress’ namesake museum in Minnesota more than a decade ago has been recovered, the FBI announced. The iconic sequined shoes, known as the 'traveling pair'—one of at least four pairs used in the film that are still in existence—were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2005 and recovered earlier this summer during a sting operation. But the case is far from over..." [read more on FBI News].
"Rhys Thomas, author of The Ruby Slippers of Oz, called the slippers 'the Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia. They are maybe the most iconic cinematic prop or costume in movie history, and in fact, in cultural history. They are a cultural icon.' " "Thomas said the slippers went unseen for 30 years until (Michael) Shaw, acting as a middleman, bought them for someone who intended to sell them to the late actress Debbie Reynolds, but Shaw ended up keeping them and often loaned them for exhibits..." [read more on Live Auctioneers].
"Memorabilia collector Michael Shaw loaned the slippers to the Judy Garland Museum for Grand Rapids' annual Wizard of Oz festival in 2005. Shaw rejected the museum's offer to store them in a vault each night because he didn't want people handling the delicate shoes by moving them daily, he said in the 2016 documentary, The Slippers. 'But most importantly, I was assured that the museum had security,' said Shaw." "A thief broke in through the museum's back door, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. The perpetrator smashed a glass case in the museum's gallery and stole the slippers, which were insured for $1 million. The alarm did not sound to a central dispatch station and no fingerprints were left behind..." [read more on CNN].
" Despite an investigation by local authorities, which included countless interviews, numerous theories, and even searches of abandoned iron ore pits, the slippers were never located and no arrests were made. The investigation remained a priority for the Grand Rapids Police Department, who requested FBI assistance in 2017 when the extortion plot against the Markel Corporation surfaced. Agents from the Minneapolis Division worked closely with the FBI’s Art Crime Team throughout the investigation, which is ongoing..." [read more in the FBI's press release].
To learn more
Stolen Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz Recovered - FBI News
FBI Recovers Stolen Ruby Slippers Used in The Wizard of Oz; FBI Seeking Information Regarding Theft of Stolen Memorabilia - FBI Minnesota Press Release
Smithsonian Assists FBI in Minnesota Ruby Slippers Case (video, transcript) - FBI
Stolen 'Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers found 13 years later. But the search continues for those responsible, FBI says - CNN
Sting operation recovered Dorothy’s stolen ruby slippers - Live Auctioneers
Adventurer Josh Gates Hunts for Ruby Slippers Stolen From Judy Garland Museum (2018) - Diamond Designs
Are Judy Garland's Stolen Ruby Slippers Shimmering in Mine Pit? Witness search at 40th 'Wizard of Oz' Festival June 10-13 (2015) - PRNewswire
Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers: The Mystery Behind the Shoes - Catawiki
The Slippers documentary trailer
The Ruby Slippers Project
Sponsored content (mine!)
Cruises - my cruise website
Feel free to contact me if I can help you with your travel plans
Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis Division of the FBI
"A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and stolen from the actress’ namesake museum in Minnesota more than a decade ago has been recovered, the FBI announced. The iconic sequined shoes, known as the 'traveling pair'—one of at least four pairs used in the film that are still in existence—were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2005 and recovered earlier this summer during a sting operation. But the case is far from over..." [read more on FBI News].
"Rhys Thomas, author of The Ruby Slippers of Oz, called the slippers 'the Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia. They are maybe the most iconic cinematic prop or costume in movie history, and in fact, in cultural history. They are a cultural icon.' " "Thomas said the slippers went unseen for 30 years until (Michael) Shaw, acting as a middleman, bought them for someone who intended to sell them to the late actress Debbie Reynolds, but Shaw ended up keeping them and often loaned them for exhibits..." [read more on Live Auctioneers].
"Memorabilia collector Michael Shaw loaned the slippers to the Judy Garland Museum for Grand Rapids' annual Wizard of Oz festival in 2005. Shaw rejected the museum's offer to store them in a vault each night because he didn't want people handling the delicate shoes by moving them daily, he said in the 2016 documentary, The Slippers. 'But most importantly, I was assured that the museum had security,' said Shaw." "A thief broke in through the museum's back door, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. The perpetrator smashed a glass case in the museum's gallery and stole the slippers, which were insured for $1 million. The alarm did not sound to a central dispatch station and no fingerprints were left behind..." [read more on CNN].
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| The Judy Garland Museum from which the ruby slippers were stolen |
" Despite an investigation by local authorities, which included countless interviews, numerous theories, and even searches of abandoned iron ore pits, the slippers were never located and no arrests were made. The investigation remained a priority for the Grand Rapids Police Department, who requested FBI assistance in 2017 when the extortion plot against the Markel Corporation surfaced. Agents from the Minneapolis Division worked closely with the FBI’s Art Crime Team throughout the investigation, which is ongoing..." [read more in the FBI's press release].
To learn more
Stolen Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz Recovered - FBI News
FBI Recovers Stolen Ruby Slippers Used in The Wizard of Oz; FBI Seeking Information Regarding Theft of Stolen Memorabilia - FBI Minnesota Press Release
Smithsonian Assists FBI in Minnesota Ruby Slippers Case (video, transcript) - FBI
Stolen 'Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers found 13 years later. But the search continues for those responsible, FBI says - CNN
Sting operation recovered Dorothy’s stolen ruby slippers - Live Auctioneers
Adventurer Josh Gates Hunts for Ruby Slippers Stolen From Judy Garland Museum (2018) - Diamond Designs
Are Judy Garland's Stolen Ruby Slippers Shimmering in Mine Pit? Witness search at 40th 'Wizard of Oz' Festival June 10-13 (2015) - PRNewswire
Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers: The Mystery Behind the Shoes - Catawiki
The Slippers documentary trailer
The Ruby Slippers Project
Sponsored content (mine!)
Cruises - my cruise website
Feel free to contact me if I can help you with your travel plans
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