Potential $1.2M public sale of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Dorothy gown triggers lawsuit – Nationwide

Vogue historians, popular culture followers and cinephiles alike had motive to rejoice when the second-ever full costume worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz was discovered final month in a shoebox at a college’s drama division.

Although it’s believed there are 5 variations of Dorothy’s iconic blue and white pinafore gown, the not too long ago found costume is the second of solely two outfits full with the matching shirt.

Public sale home Bonhams listed the costume for US$800,000 to $1,200,000, although a newly filed lawsuit claiming rightful possession over the piece has forged doubt on the public sale’s legitimacy.

In keeping with CNBC, Barbara Hartke, who filed the lawsuit Tuesday in New York, claims the gown belongs to her, because it was gifted to her uncle, Rev. Gilbert Hartke, whose property she owns.

1:31
‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby crimson slippers discovered 13 years after they have been stolen from museum

Earlier Video

Subsequent Video

Gilbert Hartke was gifted the costume by Mercedes McCambridge, an Academy Award-winning actress and pal of Garland. McCambridge was greatest recognized for her roles in The Exorcist and All of the King’s Males, for which she gained an Academy Award.

Gilbert Hartke based the drama division at The Catholic College of America in Washington, D.C., the place McCambridge was an artist-in-residence.

Within the lawsuit, Barbara Hartke’s authorized group argues the college has no proper to public sale off the costume as McCambridge “particularly and publicly” gave the gown to her uncle. The go well with argues that because of this, the piece of Hollywood historical past is “an asset of the decedent’s property.”

Hartke claims nobody reached out to the property about auctioning the costume. Her authorized group is now pursuing a short-term restraining order or an injunction to cease the sale, in keeping with court docket paperwork.

The Catholic College advised Forbes the college is reviewing the lawsuit’s allegations and can present extra info “after a radical overview of the grievance.”

In keeping with Bonhams, “The gown worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale all through the scene set within the Witch’s Fortress, when the Depraved Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) has captured Dorothy and threatens her with loss of life.”

A label contained in the gown studying JUDY GARLAND 4223 (and a number of other different elements like stitching, clasps and a hidden pocket) proved the costume’s legitimacy.

Bonhams has but to reply publicly concerning the public sale of the costume.