Black hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is going up for auction

AP Just in time for the theatrical release of Wicked For Good fans will get a chance to own memorabilia from the original film The Wizard of Oz and one item is especially witchy Heritage Auctions is putting an iconic black hat that Margaret Hamilton wore as the Wicked Witch of the West up for sale The wool hat is quite large measuring nearly -inches high with a -inch diameter brim It also has a -inch elastic chin strap worn by Hamilton during flying scenes to keep it secure Designed by costume designer Adrian Adolph Greenburg who went by Gilbert Adrian professionally the hat was put to use after filming began because the one originally chosen didn t appear scary enough When Dorothy Gale becomes Dorothy of Oz it s when she puts on the ruby slippers reported Joe Maddalena EVP of Heritage Auctions 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 Heritage will hold the auction Dec and both online and at its Dallas headquarters Also hitting the auction block are a The Wizard of Oz book signed by Garland who also wrote a lengthy inscription It has autographs by other main cast members including Toto s actual paw prints The book was gifted to the daughter of Garland s on-set tutor at the time Two different versions of Dorothy s ruby slippers will be auctioned One a right-foot shoe worn by Garland during rehearsals is adorned with crimson-burgundy glass bugle beads A replica of the ruby slippers made by Western Costume Company for the film s th anniversary will also be for sale The latter were made using Garland s original shoe form and have red sequins and rhinestone bows These shoes revealed Maddalena 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 written by Oz author Frank Baum on personal stationary and an organza blouse worn on screen by Garland will also sell The blouse has a tag with Judy Garland handwritten on the label Last year Heritage sold a different pair of ruby slippers from the film for million