RUBY SLIPPER COMPONENTS:
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WHITE SILK FAILLE BASE SHOES SOLD BY THE INNES SHOE COMPANY WITH LOCATIONS IN LOS ANGELES, HOLLYWOOD, AND PASADENA (VARIOUS SIZES). THESE SHOES WERE ALREADY OWNED BY MGM STUDIOS, AND HAD BEEN USED IN OTHER PRODUCTIONS BEFORE BEING MADE INTO THE RUBY SLIPPERS.
RED SPRAY DYE
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ORANGISH RED SILK GEORGETTE OR CHIFFON
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5MM DEEP RED GELATIN SEQUINS, MADE IN BELGIUM (see image below)
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CAT'S PAW RUBBER (REPLACEMENT TOP LIFTS)
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LIGHT SIAM ROSE MONTEE (SEW-ON) RHINESTONES, APPROXIMATELY 3 - 3.2MM, ROUNDED SILVER CLAWS. MOST LIKELY OF GERMAN OR CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ORIGIN.
CLEAR ROSE MONTEE (SEW ON) RHINESTONES, APPROXIMATELY 3 - 3.2MM, ROUNDED SILVER CLAWS. MOST LIKELY OF GERMAN OR CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ORIGIN.
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STANDARD WIDTH BUGLE BEADS (BOWS ON PAIR #6 ONLY). MOST LIKELY OF CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ORIGIN.
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MACCO HEXAGON TUBE BEADS (ALL BOWS OTHER THAN PAIR #6). MOST LIKELY OF CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ORIGIN.
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LARGE GLASS JEWELS, DEEP RED. MOST LIKELY OF GERMAN OR CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ORIGIN.
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MARINO WOOL FELT (ORANGE AND YELLOW)
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GLOSSY RED PAINT
NAIL POLISH LIKE PAINT - USED ON CLEAR REPLACEMENT RHINESTONES
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ADHESIVES: VARIOUS
THREADS: VARIOUS (SILK, COTTON)
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COTTON BUCKRAM
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For an idea of what the original sequin coloring is, look at the top three rows of sequins on this 1930's gelatin sequin purse. The top rows were protected from air and humidity more than the lower rows, giving a better idea of the original coloring of the sequins. You can see how the other rows have flaked and blackened, making them appear much darker than they originally were. This is why I do not believe the slipper sequins were 'dark' red or burgundy when originally made - they were a deep red that achieved its coloring by adding more blue to the dye. This resulted in the sequins reflecting back red instead of orange.
The alternating color on this purse is a standard red, which appears very orange when compared to the deep red color. This was the color MGM did NOT use, as it would photograph orange under the bright lighting required for Technicolor film.