LOS ANGELES, CA.- A Judy Garland-worn "Dorothy" dress from the world-renowned film, The Wizard of Oz, will be presented at the Bonhams Classic Hollywood: Film and Television sale in Los Angeles on May 24. Estimated at $800,000-1,200,000, the iconic blue and white gingham dress is one of only two existing dresses retaining the white blouse and only one of four blue and white dresses in existence. This incredibly rare and iconic Hollywood costume has also been matched to a specific scene in the beloved movie, namely when Dorothy faces the Wicked Witch of the West in the Witch’s Castle.

The dress is being offered by The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. It was originally gifted to the University’s former beloved Head of Drama, Reverend Gilbert Hartke, by Mercedes McCambridge, a Hollywood actress and Artist in Residence at the University in 1973. After going missing in the 1980s, the costume was recently discovered, and proceeds of the sale will benefit the Department of Drama.

“Discovering this historic dress was a memorable moment for The Catholic University of America and we are proud to present it for auction, so that the next collector can own a piece of history,” said Jacqueline J. Leary-Warsaw, Dean of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art. “While parting with this dress is bittersweet, the proceeds are going to help support future generations training for professional careers in theatre. It might just be that the funding helps to prepare the next Mercedes McCambridge or Judy Garland!”

Helen Hall, Director of Popular Culture at Bonhams in Los Angeles, said: “This dress has an incredible history and Bonhams is honored to be a part of its journey. Important costumes from this iconic movie rarely appear on the auction market and to be able to pinpoint the scene in which this was worn by Judy Garland is thrilling.”

The other dress with blouse was sold by Bonhams in 2015 and fetched a record price for a “Dorothy” dress of over $1.5 Million. Bonhams also sold the Cowardly Lion costume worn by actor Bert Lahr for over $3 Million in 2014. More memorabilia from classic Hollywood will be displayed alongside the “Dorothy” Dress in Bonhams sale with details being announced in coming weeks.

The Judy Garland “Dorothy” Dress will be on view at Bonhams New York (580 Madison Ave) from April 23-29 and at Bonhams Los Angeles (7601 Sunset Blvd) from May 20-24, with the final sale taking place on May 24.