The dramatic story of a fancy dress from The Wizard of Oz thought misplaced for many years went by way of one other plot twist on Monday, when a decide blocked its deliberate sale at public sale.
One of many blue-and-white checked gingham clothes that Judy Garland wore in 1939 for her function as Dorothy was scheduled to be a part of an public sale of Hollywood memorabilia in Los Angeles on Tuesday, put up on the market by Catholic College of America. The gown was rediscovered on the faculty final yr in a shoebox throughout preparations for a renovation.
Auctioneer Bonhams listed a pre-sale estimate of $800,000 to $1.2m for the gown earlier than it was withdrawn.
However US district decide Paul Gardephe in Manhattan granted a movement for a preliminary injunction after a listening to in a lawsuit filed by a relative of Father Gilbert Hartke, who labored on the college and was given the gown in 1973.
Hartke died in 1986; a niece, Barbara Ann Hartke, 81, filed a lawsuit towards the college and the auctioneer earlier this month after media accounts that the gown was going up for public sale.
In her lawsuit, she stated that as her uncle’s closest dwelling relative, the gown belongs to her. She says it was given to him as a private reward by the actor Mercedes McCambridge.
In accordance with her lawsuit, the college “has no possession curiosity within the gown as …there isn't a documentation demonstrating decedent ever formally or informally donated the gown to Catholic College”.
In a submitting opposing the lawsuit’s request for the injunction, the college’s attorneys stated that as a Dominican priest, Hartke had taken a vow “to by no means settle for presents in his private capability” and so the gown couldn't be thought of a part of any property.
Catholic College officers had stated the gown went lacking for many years after being given to Hartke, then head of the drama division.
Garland wore a number of variations of the gown throughout the filming of the film; auctioneer Bonhams stated the one discovered at Catholic College was one among two that also had its accompanying shirt, and that Garland wore it within the scene within the citadel of the Depraved Witch of the West.
Bonhams had no remark.
In an announcement, attorneys for the college stated, “We stay up for presenting our place, and the overwhelming proof contradicting Ms Hartke’s declare, to the court docket in the middle of this litigation.”
An e mail looking for remark was despatched to Hartke’s legal professional.
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