Get All Access for $5/mo

One of the dresses that Judy Garland wore in the Wizard of Oz could be auctioned for $ 1.5 million dollars It is the emblematic blue and white dress that was lost for five decades, but a woman wants to prevent the auction.

This article was translated from our Spanish edition.

Silver Screen Collection | Getty Images

The auction of the dress is scheduled to be held on May 24 at the Bonham house in Los Angeles. It is one of the blue and white dresses that Judy Garland used during the filming of The Wizard of Oz in 1939. The piece was found last year inside a shoe box in one of the buildings of the drama department of the Catholic University of Los Angeles, while an employee was sweeping the place.

The dress, yellowed by the passage of time, has a handmade inscription with the name of the actress hidden inside one of the bags in which Garland supposedly kept her handkerchiefs. The dress was donated to Reverend Gilbert Hartke , one of the founders of the university's drama department in 1972, by actress Mercedes McCambridge , and was lost a year later to remain hidden for five decades, despite various faculty members claiming it. They searched again and again.

Although it was initially said that the dress would become part of the university archive, the decision was later made to put it up for auction. It is estimated that it could sell for between $800,000 and $1.2 million.

THE VOICE OPPOSING THE AUCTION

Barbra Hartke , Reverend Hartke's niece, is 81 years old and has spoken out against the auction. The woman argues that her uncle received the dress as a gift from the actress and that before auctioning it, it would be necessary to determine who it belongs to. In an interview with the New York Post , the woman commented: "I was surprised that it was found here (at the University) after all this time and that it was quickly taken to the auction house. I just want to know who owns this… I'd like to see the documentation."

The woman, who claims that the actress, Mercedes McCambridge, had a special affection for her uncle, has filed a lawsuit to try to prevent the auction from taking place.

On November 23, 2015, another dress with the same design used by Judy Garland during the filming of The Wizard of Oz was auctioned for $1.56 million dollars .
Entrepreneur en Español

Entrepreneur Staff

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Making a Change

Learn All of Rosetta Stone's Languages for $152

A lifetime subscription is nearly $250 off for a limited time.

Leadership

How His Personal Battle With Cancer Inspired This Founder's Solution for Patient Care

On this episode of "The Founder CEO," Michael O'Neil, founder and CEO of GetWellNetwork, discusses his inspiring journey as a leader and the transformative role of AI in healthcare.

Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Business News

Homeowners in These 10 States Pay the Most in 'Hidden' Upkeep Costs

Hidden home costs pile on top of mortgage payments.

Starting a Business

Inside the Exclusive Private Club Devoted to Food, Wine and the Arts

Barrett Wissman breaks down the passions and partnerships behind his latest venture Domus Artium Reserve.