Fans of classic cinema are in for a treat as a truly iconic piece of film history is set to go under the hammer. The legendary black hat worn by Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West in the beloved 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is heading to auction this December.
The Hat That Made the Witch
This is not just any witch's hat; it is the very item that transformed the character into the formidable villain audiences remember. The hat, crafted from wool, is remarkably large, standing nearly 14 inches high with a brim measuring 19.5 inches in diameter. A key feature is its 22-inch elastic chin strap, which was used by Hamilton during flying sequences to prevent the hat from falling off.
The hat's designer was the renowned costume designer Adrian Adolph Greenburg, who worked under the professional name Gilbert Adrian. Interestingly, this specific hat was not part of the original plan. It was introduced after filming had already begun because the initial hat chosen for the character was deemed not frightening enough.
A Transformative Piece of Cinema History
Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President of Heritage Auctions, emphasised the hat's profound significance within the film's narrative. He stated, "When Dorothy Gale becomes Dorothy of Oz, it’s when she puts on the ruby slippers. When the Wicked Witch becomes the Wicked Witch, she puts on the hat. So it’s this transformational moment of the birth of the witch. I think the importance of the hat is just incredible. It’s on par with the slippers."
The auction, which will be held both online and at the Heritage Auctions headquarters in Dallas, is scheduled for December 9 and 10. The timing coincides nicely with the theatrical release of "Wicked: For Good," offering fans a chance to own a piece of the original story that inspired the modern musical.
Other Notable Items in the Auction
The witch's hat is not the only treasure available to collectors. Heritage Auctions has assembled a remarkable collection of Wizard of Oz memorabilia, including:
- A copy of "The Wizard of Oz" book signed by Judy Garland, who also wrote a lengthy inscription inside. The book also features autographs from other main cast members and includes the actual paw prints of Toto, the dog. It was originally a gift for the daughter of Garland's on-set tutor.
- Two different versions of Dorothy's famed ruby slippers. One is a right-foot shoe worn by Garland during rehearsals, adorned with crimson-burgundy glass bugle beads. The other is a replica made by the Western Costume Company for the film's 50th anniversary, created using Garland's original shoe form and featuring red sequins and rhinestone bows. Maddalena noted these replica shoes "are as close as you’re ever going to get to owning a pair of ruby slippers that weren’t screen-used."
- A handwritten letter by "Oz" author L. Frank Baum on his personal stationery.
- An organza blouse worn on-screen by Judy Garland, which has a tag with "Judy Garland" handwritten on the label.
This auction follows the record-breaking sale last year, where a different pair of ruby slippers from the film fetched an astonishing $28 million, highlighting the immense and enduring value of such iconic cinematic artefacts.
