Man indicted in theft of ‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland

Pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 movie ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ photographed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in October 2011. In 2005, a different pair of Garland-worn ruby slippers was stolen from a Minnesota museum devoted to the late actress. On May 17, federal prosecutors in North Dakota announced that a grand jury had indicted Terry Martin for the theft of the iconic footwear. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Chris Evans. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 movie ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ photographed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in October 2011. In 2005, a different pair of Garland-worn ruby slippers was stolen from a Minnesota museum devoted to the late actress. On May 17, federal prosecutors in North Dakota announced that a grand jury had indicted Terry Martin for the theft of the iconic footwear. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Chris Evans. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Pair of ruby-red sequined slippers worn on screen by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 movie ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ photographed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in October 2011. In 2005, another pair of Garland-worn ruby slippers of similar appearance was stolen from a Minnesota museum devoted to the late actress. On May 17, federal prosecutors in North Dakota announced that a grand jury had indicted Terry Martin for the theft of the iconic footwear. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Chris Evans. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

FARGO, N.D. – A man has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of stealing a pair of ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, federal prosecutors in North Dakota said. The shoes were stolen in 2005 and recovered by a 2018 FBI sting operation, but no arrests were made at the time. Terry Martin was indicted May 16 with one count of theft of a major artwork, prosecutors announced on May 17. The indictment did not provide any further information about Martin and online records do not list an attorney for him.

Continue reading

Superlative artistry on display at Doyle Faberge & Vertu sale, May 23

Gilt-mounted malachite revolving dial clock, estimated at $20,000-$30,000
Gilt-mounted malachite revolving dial clock, estimated at $20,000-$30,000
Gilt-mounted malachite revolving dial clock, estimated at $20,000-$30,000

NEW YORK – Doyle will hold an auction of Faberge & Vertu on Tuesday, May 23, beginning at 10 am Eastern time. The sale will present a range of objects dating from the 17th century to the 20th century, including Faberge, vertu, silver and icons. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

David Simpson abstract, Minas Avetisyan painting performed well at Roland

Untitled David Simpson painting, $5,937. Image courtesy of Roland NY
Untitled David Simpson painting, $5,937. Image courtesy of Roland NY
Untitled David Simpson painting, $5,937. Image courtesy of Roland NY

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Roland Auctions NY‘s April 29 Estates Auction featured hundreds of lots of fine art, decorative arts, antique and vintage furniture, textiles, silver, jewelry, rugs, collectibles, Asian art and lighting.

Continue reading

Joy on wheels: Kenny Scharf art car leads parade at Heritage, May 23

Kenny Scharf, ‘Astro Cumulo Uber Express,’ estimated at $400,000-$600,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
Kenny Scharf, ‘Astro Cumulo Uber Express,’ estimated at $400,000-$600,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
Kenny Scharf, ‘Astro Cumulo Uber Express,’ estimated at $400,000-$600,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com

DALLAS — One of Kenny Scharf’s most beloved and fully customized art cars, a mint-condition 1960 Cadillac Coupe De Ville Scharf titled Astro Cumulo Uber Express (created in 2005, with a public debut during 2006’s Art Basel Miami) is coming to Heritage Auctions on Tuesday, May 23. It leads a focused auction of modern and contemporary art that also features Wayne Thiebaud, Roberto Matta, Hugh Auchincloss Steers, Joan Brown, Sigmar Polke and Alexander Calder. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Kensington Estate Auction musters eclectic lineup for May 22 sale

Lawrence W. Lee, ‘Coyote Song,’ estimated at $1,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of Kensington Estate Auction
Lawrence W. Lee, ‘Coyote Song,’ estimated at $1,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of Kensington Estate Auction
Lawrence W. Lee, ‘Coyote Song,’ estimated at $1,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of Kensington Estate Auction

CLINTONDALE, N.Y. – Kensington Estate Auction‘s Monday, May 22 on-line auction will be well-rounded and truly tempting. Categories represented include fine art, ethnographic art and items, urban and graffiti art, sterling silver, gold, studio pottery, photography, sculptures, antiquities, jewelry, coins and antiquarian and post-modern books. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Iconic Central Perk painting from NBC sitcom ‘Friends’ heads to auction, May 20

Metin Bereketli, Diversity 5, original acrylic on canvas, 48in x 60in (framed), artist-signed lower right and dated 2001. Used and featured on NBC series ‘Friends’ as background art behind iconic orange couch at Central Perk coffee house. Estimate $85,000-$100,000. Opening bid: $42,000

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – It’s that painting! You know you’ve seen it before, and more than once. Here’s a clue: picture Chandler, Rachel and Monica stretched across an orange sofa, drinking coffee and bantering about their latest dating dilemmas. You got it! It’s the artwork that hangs behind the iconic couch at Central Perk, the Friends’ favorite hangout – and it’s headed to auction this Saturday in Beverly Hills, California.

Continue reading

Jean Lurcat masterpiece headlines 1stbid fine rugs auction, May 21

Untitled, signed mid-century tapestry by the legendary French artist Jean Lurcat, estimated at $35,000-$40,000
Untitled, signed mid-century tapestry by the legendary French artist Jean Lurcat, estimated at $35,000-$40,000

Untitled, signed mid-century tapestry by the legendary French artist Jean Lurcat, estimated at $35,000-$40,000

WASHINGTON – 1stbid, a leading auction house specializing in fine rugs, will hold a sale on Sunday, May 21 with the bold title of The Ultimate Auction of Antique Rugs and Art. Consisting of 239 lots and commencing at at 2 pm Eastern time, the auction will provide the opportunity to bid on a wide range of choice and unique rugs from around the world. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading