GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — It took considerably more than a click of the heels, but the iconic shoes worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" are finally home where they belong.
On Monday, the FBI office in Minneapolis released photos of the ruby slippers being reunited with owner Michael Shaw. The cinematic collectibles — worth an estimated $3.5 million — were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005. They were recovered more than a decade later in 2018, and two men have been federally charged for their roles in stealing and concealing them.
During the ceremony, which took place in Garland's hometown of Grand Rapids, the iconic ruby slippers were placed on their original pedestal. The FBI says when Shaw, accompanied by his niece, laid eyes on the slippers for the first time in nearly two decades, he likened the experience to a heartfelt reunion with a long-lost friend.
“It was incredibly rewarding and fitting to see Mr. Shaw reunited with the Ruby Slippers, at Judy Garland’s home, accompanied by his friends on the museum staff,” said Special Agent Christopher Dudley, one of the investigators who worked on the case. “It is a privilege for the FBI and our Art Crime Team to work alongside law enforcement partners who truly value the importance of protecting our nation’s cultural heritage."
Not only did Special Agent Dudley return the ruby slippers to Shaw, He also presented a single red sequin that was left at the scene of the crime nearly two decades ago.
The Judy Garland Museum was rocked by the theft, as the slippers were there on loan from Shaw. Although they were insured for $1 million, museum leaders say the theft shattered a long-standing friendship with their owner, tarnished the organization's credibility, and made a number of people instant suspects.
"The Judy Garland Museum survived the impact of this violation and is grateful to be a part of the homecoming," reflected John Kelsch, who was director of the museum at the time of the heist, noting that it negatively impacted operations for many years. The return of the slippers to Shaw, if not the museum, promises a fresh start.
"We continue to serve visitors from around the world: Expect a ruby slipper crime exhibit in our near future," Kelsch hinted.
For his part, Shaw introduced representatives from Heritage Auctions at the reunion ceremony, announcing that he is partnering with them to launch a worldwide tour of the slippers so people can see them before they are auctioned off later this year. Officials at the Judy Garland Museum say they are "working diligently" to find a way to buy them and keep them in a place where Garland's life and legacy is celebrated.
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