The pair of ruby slippers which Hollywood legend Judy Garland wore in the movie "The Wizard of Oz" that were stolen from a Minnesota museum nearly 20 years ago sold at auction last week for $28 million. According to Heritage Auctions, this pair, one of only four surviving pairs worn by Garland in the aforesaid film, is the most expensive item ever sold at auction.

“There is simply no comparison between Judy Garland’s ruby slippers and any other piece of Hollywood memorabilia,” said Heritage Auctions’ executive vice president, Joe Maddalena. “The breathtaking result reflects just how important movies and movie memorabilia are to our culture and to collectors.”

Including the auction house's commission, the total value of the slippers was a staggering $32.5 million—nearly 11 times the auction house's pre-auction estimate of $3 million.

At $32.5 million, the slippers are the most valuable movie memorabilia in the world and helped make this auction the most successful ever held in the entertainment industry, said Robert Wilonsky, Vice President, Public Relations and Communications at Heritage Auctions.