Despite sweat stains, Judy Garland’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ dress fetches over US$1.5 million at auction

The blue gingham dress worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz sold for $1.56 million at an auction in New York.

The pinafore, one of 10 thought to have been made for Garland in her role as Dorothy in the movie, had been estimated by Bonhams auction house to fetch between US$800,000 and US$1.2 million at its Hollywood memorabilia sale held on Monday in conjunction with Turner Classic Movies.

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Described as bearing sweat stains around the neck but in good condition, the costume was believed to be one of only two such pinafores that Garland actually wore on-screen for the classic musical. It was sold to an unidentified buyer bidding by telephone.

The final price for the dress, made by MGM's famous costume designer, Adrian, was US$1,565,000 including commission.

Officials said they were pleasantly surprised by the final price.

“But the great pieces should bring a lot of money,” Catherine Williamson, Bonhams' director of entertainment memorabilia, said after the hammer fell.