The pinafore dress had been expected to fetch �35,000

The dress, which was purchased by an unnamed phone buyer, had been expected to fetch �35,000.

Custom-made for 17-year-old Garland in 1939, the frock has a 27-inch waist and her name sewn on the inside hem.

"It has become a cherished memory for millions of fans worldwide," said Jon Baddeley of Bonhams auction house.

Mr Baddeley, group head of Bonhams' collectors department, said the dress which went on display in San Francisco and Los Angeles prior to the sale, represented "the quintessential magic of childhood".

"Film costume rarely gets better than this," he said.

The Wizard of Oz launched the young Judy Garland into stardom and has become one of Hollywood's classic family films.

The auction house did not identify the dress' previous owner, who purchased the garment at Sotheby's in New York in 1989.

However, another of Garland's dresses - one of about half a dozen made for the film - was bought in 1999 by New York archivist Michael Benson.

On that occasion the garment sold for �199,500 - 10 times the expected price.

A third Dorothy dress is known to be part of Hollywood actress Debbie Reynolds' private collection.