SUCH A DEAL

Take the yellow brick road through Desert Hot Springs to a neighborhood garage, turn right where you see the rainbow and, on a good day, you might find a pot of gold at the end. For 50 cents.

That’s what Michael Hawkins paid for a mint condition copy of the five-record Decca sound-track collection from “Wizard of Oz� that he found at a garage sale in the desert community (where he resides). Estimated value: $1,500.

“Some guy was clearing out his basement and selling everything for 50 cents,� said Hawkins, who made his purchase and left quickly. (“I wasn’t going to hang round to ask any questions now, was I?�)

The collection, which was issued some time in the 1940s (the film came out in 1939), includes a booklet with photos and synopsis, plus five 78-rpm platters that feature Judy Garland, Jack Haley and Ray Bolger singing the most popular tunes, accompanied by Victor Young and his orchestra.

Hawkins, a special-effects technician, had his treasure appraised by an antiques dealer and was told that only a few copies are thought to exist. Even MGM failed to keep one. Original posters of the movie would run $5,000 to $6,000 on the collectibles circuit. MGM didn’t keep any of those either.