STUDIO INSCRIPTION: # 6 JUDY GARLAND

DESCRIPTION: BACKUP/INSERTS

SIZE: 5C

HEEL: THIN, LEATHER TOP LIFT

SOLE: ORANGE FELT
INNES PRODUCTION NUMBERS: 5C 11869 D536

Originally the backup pair reserved for use by Judy Garland for non-dance scenes, and used as an insert pair for close-up shots.

Visible:

The scene where Dorothy shows her shoes to the Emerald City guard
Publicity photo taken in front of Emerald City
10/31/1938 costume test photo of left shoe alongside an Arabian test shoe
Some shots where the group is walking down the hallway towards the Wizard's throne room
Non-closeup shots in the Witch's castle in scenes with Dorothy and the Witch

 

Notable differences:

Slightly higher, thinner heel compared to the #1 primary pair.

This pair retained their original leather top lifts instead of having them replaced with black rubber.

Bow of the left shoe is more curved along the top than others from production
The bows on this pair had thicker bugle beads than the other bows, indicating the bows used on these were also the first set made and tested on the first pair of shoes completed.
The bows on this pair contain 4 additional rhinestones on each when compared to bows on other pairs. Again, this is an indication that these were the first shoes and bows that were tested, and Adrian must have wanted them slightly less wide. 
The bows on this pair utilized adhesive glue between the beaded overlay and the base bow material, unlike all other known bows from production.  This has allowed the bows to retain more of the original red coloring around the edges, whereas the other bows from production have faded.

Notes:

The left shoe of this pair was the first sequin version tested, sans bows.  Most likely, they were the first pair completed for the film.

Subsequent history:

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This pair was intermixed with the #1 pair sometime after filming ended. I believe they were most likely mixed up by Kent Warner, and that he may have intentionally done so. At the time of their discovery in 1970, the pairs would have been in very different conditions: the #1 pair having been very worn during production, and the #6 pair being nearly pristine. At the time of the auction, the condition of both shoes of the new mixed up pair matched enough that nobody questioned that they belonged together. The #6 shoe not sold at auction shows signs of repair that are not indicative of studio practice - as they had a number of sequins glued back on at the toe. The MGM auction pair was sold for $15,000, but the buyer soon discovered that he did not purchase the only pair of Ruby Slippers. The MGM auction slippers (#1 proper right shoe) remained privately owned until 1979 when they were donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The #1 proper left shoe was owned by Michael Shaw since he purchased them for a reported $2,500 from Kent Warner. Shaw loaned his slippers to museums and showed them around the country until they were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on August 27/28, 2005. The pair was recovered by the FBI and the announcement of their recovery was made in September 2018. Shaw's pair, once nearly pristine, do show signs of damage that occurred while they were missing.

 

 

Current location:

Right shoe: Returned to Michael Shaw, being housed at Heritage Auctions before going on a tour, then being auctioned in December.
Left shoe: Smithsonian National Museum of American History