A test garment of the iconic Dorothy dress that Judy Garland wore in the original Wizard of Oz film is set to be auctioned for an expected AUD $320,000.
A test garment of the iconic Dorothy dress that Judy Garland wore in the original Wizard of Oz film is set to be auctioned for an expected AUD $320,000.
Judy’s character Dorothy, was famous for her pigtails and the blue gingham pinafore dress that she wore in the classic 1939 musical.
Now collectors can buy a piece of Hollywood history as a test version of the dress is auctioned off in New York.
While the actual dress sold for a whopping AUD$512,000 in November 2012, the trial dress is also set the fetch big money!
This dress was one of several prototypes made before they settled on the final version worn in the film.
Related: Costume bonanza! Celebrities who love Halloween
While the dress wasn’t actually used in the film, Catherine Williamson, of International Auction House Bonhams, in LA, says it is certainly still a collector’s item.
“It doesn’t appear on screen but we do have stills of Judy Garland modelling it. They took pictures and then the producers would take a look and see if they liked it or whether they wanted to make more tweaks,” she says.
“The important thing about this particular dress is that it features a Gingham apron. That was a big moment for the producers when they decided that was the look they wanted to go for.
“The dress itself didn’t work, but they loved the blue Gingham – and that’s how we got to the dress that was used in the film. It was the last step.
“This dress helped create the enduring image of the Dorothy we know and love.”
The dress was originally sold off by the film studio Metro Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1970s and has had several owners since. It’s been in the current owner’s possession for under 10 years.
Related: Retro Beauties – celebrities who channel old-school Hollywood glamour
“There is a huge demand for Wizard of Oz memorabilia – it is universally beloved and visually stunning. The costumes are unique and material from the film is some of the most collectible in the marketplace,” Catherine, who is an expert on entertainment memorabilia, said.
The auction will take place in New York on November 24 and will include other famous costumes from the Golden Age of Hollywood including outfits worn by icons Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth.
This test version of Judy Garland’s Dorothy costume from the 1939 film the Wizard of Oz is expected to sell for AUD $320,000 at auction.
The dress originally went into the hands of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – the film studio that produced the film, before they auctioned it off in 1970. It’s had several owners since but Judy’s name and the studio information can still be seen written on the inside of the garment.
This riding coat, worn by Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind is expected to sell for AU$ 64,000 – 96,000.
The saloon dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in River Of No Return is expected to fetch between AU$ 430,000 – 640,000 – one of the pricier garments in this particular auction.
Rita Hayworth’s midriff-bearing costume from Gilda is expected to fetch between AU$ 43,000 – 64,000.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
