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STORY: Location: New York

A dress of Dorothy's from 'The Wizard of Oz' is up for auction

[Helen Hall, Director of Popular Culture, Bonhams]

“In the back, that's a label with Judy Garland's name on it, with a number which ties it to the production, the hook and eye fastening at the back is very distinctive and exactly the same as the other examples I've seen. And in this slide here, there's a little secret pocket where Judy Garland kept a handkerchief. So, that scene where she wipes the tears of the Cowardly Lion, she pulls a handkerchief from her pocket and wipe the tear. So, that's a little, little secret pocket.”

The dress was missing for several years

[Helen Hall, Director of Popular Culture, Bonhams]

“It was donated to the Catholic University of America in 1973 by an actress called Mercedes McCambridge… It's remained at the school with Father Hartke, who was head of the drama department there until the 80s when he retired. And then it disappeared, and the university spent many years looking for it. . .and a retired professor was going through some boxes in his office. And lo and behold, there was the dress."

Five dresses have surfaced

since the film was released

It's estimated to sell for up to $1.2 million