Wicked Witch’s hat from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ goes up for auction
Have you ever dreamed of owning a real prop from “The Wizard of Oz?” Here’s your chance.
The black hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film is going up for auction, according to The Associated Press. Heritage Auctions is putting the iconic hat up for sale during a Dec. 9 and 10 auction, taking place online and at its Dallas headquarters.
Details on the prop
The wool hat, measuring nearly 14 inches high and 20 inches wide, was designed by costume designer Adrian Adolph Greenburg. It was used in the original film after the hat initially chosen didn’t appear scary enough.
Joe Maddalena, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, compared the hat to Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
“When Dorothy Gale becomes Dorothy of Oz, it’s when she puts on the ruby slippers,” he said. “When the Wicked Witch becomes the Wicked Witch, she puts on the hat. … I think the importance of the hat is just incredible. It’s on par with the slippers.”
Other items up for auction
Heritage is also offering a “The Wizard of Oz” book, signed by Judy Garland, who played Dorothy. It includes a lengthy inscription from Garland and has numerous autographs from cast members, including paw prints from Toto.
You can’t have a Wizard of Oz auction, however, without including some ruby slippers. Heritage will auction off two versions of Dorothy’s slippers. One is a right-foot shoe that Garland wore during rehearsals.
The other is a replica of the ruby slippers manufactured for the film’s 50th anniversary. They were made using Garland’s original shoe form. Maddelena said the shoes “are as close as you’re ever going to get to owning a pair of ruby slippers that weren’t screen-used.”
Just last year, Heritage auctioned off the ruby slippers that Garland wore on-screen for $28 million.
Finally, the sale includes a handwritten letter written by “Oz” author Frank Baum, as well as a blouse that Garland wore on screen. “Judy Garland” is handwritten on the blouse’s label.
Timely auction
The auction takes place at a time when the world around “The Wizard of Oz” is abuzz. “Wicked: For Good” — the second part of the origin story of the witches of Oz — is scheduled to be released on Nov. 21.
The latest film, released one year after the first part, features Ariana Grande as the Good Witch, also known as Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch of the West, also known as Elphaba.
The first film’s soundtrack was just nominated for four Grammys, including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for the song “Defying Gravity.”
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
