STUDIO INSCRIPTION: DOUBLE

DESCRIPTION: DANCE / STUNT / INSERT

SIZE: 6 B

HEEL: THIN, RUBBER TOP LIFT

SOLE: ORANGE FELT
INNES PRODUCTION NUMBERS: E58 68

 

This larger pair was reserved for use during extended dance sequences, or worn during long rehearsals, and used in "stunt" work according to interview transcripts provided by Aljean Harmetz with former MGM costuming staff. 

 

Based on their use later in production, this pair may have been the backup dancing pair that was used after another dance pair was damaged or worn.  These may have also been worn by stand-in Bobbie Koshay.

Visible:

When Dorothy takes her first steps on the Yellow Brick Road in Munchkinland
Publicity photos taken later during production – February 1939 (most likely - the proper right shoe bow matches these images, however, the bow of the proper left shoe can't be matched as easily. The bow in the 1939 images looks more flat along the bottom, but the Bauman bow appears more angular. This could be due to the camera angle in the 1939 images)
Re-shot scenes on the Scarecrow's cornfield set
In the Emerald City as the Wizard tells Dorothy he can take her home to Kansas

Notable differences:

Both bows have more curved sides than other bows from production
“Double” written in the shoe instead of a number and actor’s name
The arch on this pair is more squat than others
Cloth Innes Shoe Company label instead of an embossed metallic stamp
 

Notes:

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This is the only known pair that Kent Warner did not locate.

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Subsequent History:

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Believed to be the first pair to leave MGM Studios, this set was likely sent to New York—possibly to be used on a life-sized Dorothy doll, according to author Rhys Thomas. From there, they were awarded to Roberta Jeffries (later Bauman) in 1940.

 

Roberta kept the slippers for decades, occasionally bringing them to schools and libraries to share with others.

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Until 1970, she believed hers were the only pair. That changed when news broke about the Ruby Slippers sold at the MGM auction, prompting Roberta to investigate further. Her research confirmed that her pair was indeed one of several made for the film’s production.

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In 1988, Roberta auctioned the slippers through Christie’s, where they sold for $165,000 to collector Anthony Landini. He later displayed them in Florida at the Disney/MGM Studios theme park, positioned at the entrance to the Great Movie Ride. In 2000, Landini auctioned the slippers once more—this time selling them for $666,000.

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Current location:

Attributed to being owned by David Elkouby, but I believe they may reside in the collection of Hal Ornstein of “The Ruby Slippers of Oz, LLC.”  Currently listed for sale for $6,000,000.