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

Just in time for theatrical release “Wicked: For Good” fans will have the opportunity to purchase memorabilia from the original 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and one item is particularly witchy.

Heritage Auctions is offering for sale the iconic black hat worn by Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West. The wool hat is quite large, standing almost 14 inches tall with a brim of 19.5 inches in diameter. It also features the 22-inch elastic chin strap that Hamilton wore during his flights to keep him secure.

The hat, designed by costume designer Adrian Adolf Greenburg, who worked professionally under the pseudonym Gilbert Adrian, was used after filming began because the hat initially chosen did not look scary enough.

“When Dorothy Gale becomes Dorothy of Oz, she puts on the ruby ​​slippers,” said Joe Maddalena, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions. “When the Wicked Witch becomes the Wicked Witch, she puts on a hat. So this is the transformational moment of the birth of a witch. I think the importance of the hat is incredible. It's on par with slippers.”

Heritage will host the auction Dec. 9 and 10, both online and at its Dallas headquarters.

Also up for auction is a copy of The Wizard of Oz signed by Garland, who also wrote the lengthy inscription. It features autographs from the other main cast members, including Toto's actual paw prints. The book was given to the daughter of Garland's then-mentor.

Two different versions of Dorothy's ruby ​​slippers will be auctioned. One of them, the right boot that Garland wore during rehearsals, is decorated with crimson and burgundy glass beads. Also up for sale will be a replica of the ruby ​​slippers made by Western Cost Company for the film's 50th anniversary. The latter were crafted using Garland's original shoe mold and adorned with red glitter and rhinestone bows. These shoes, according to Maddalena, are “the closest thing to a pair of ruby ​​slippers that were not used on screen.”

Also for sale will be a handwritten letter written by “Oz” author Frank Baum on personal stationery and an organza blouse worn by Garland on screen. The blouse has a tag with “Judy Garland” handwritten on it.

Last year, Legacy sold another pair of ruby ​​slippers from the film for $28 million.