STUDIO INSCRIPTION: UNKNOWN

DESCRIPTION: TEST SHOES, NOT SEEN IN FINAL FILM

SIZE: UNKNOWN, ASSUMED SIZE 5

HEEL: SHORT

SOLE: NO FELT

MANUFACTURER'S INSCRIPTION: WCC

 

A test pair of slippers with curled toes and a short heel

Visible:

Costume test photos taken 10/31/1938

Notable differences:

Ornate rhinestone swirl pattern covering the shoe in addition to sequins
Curled toes

Notes:

Western Costume Company claims to have made the Ruby Slippers for MGM, however, the only part WCC played was making the base shoes for the Arabian style pair.  All shoes made for production were sequined by beaders in the MGM wardrobe department.

Subsequent history:

This pair was found with the others by Kent Warner while preparing for the MGM auction in early 1970. Debbie expected one of the pairs seen in the final film, but Kent had already sold/given all the pairs to other people. Debbie purchased this pair and kept them until auctioning most of her collection in 2011. Before that, they were available for viewing at her short lived Hollywood museum.

Current location:

Unknown, auctioned in 2011 to an anonymous buyer.