Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

40 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 501

Smith v. Clews

New York Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1884

New York Supreme Court · decided 1884-10-15

The plaintiffs, who are importers and dealers in diamonds, in New York, brought this action to recover the possession or the value of certain diamonds alleged to belong to them.

Decided 1884-10-15

Brady, J.

¶1(dissenting):

¶2The respondents voluntarily delivered tbe diamonds claimed toMiers, from whom the defendant purchased them in good faith. It is true that by the receipt which Miers signed, the diamonds were • to be returned to the plaintiffs on demand, but the object of the ■ delivery to Miers was known and also stated in the receipt, namely,, on approval that he might show them to his customers. Miers was thus clothed with possession and an apparent title to, or authority to sell them, and the defendant knowing nothing of the receipt, acted upon the faith of such title or authority and this created an estoppel. The subject is considered and the distinctions proclaimed in Barnard v. Campbell (55 N. Y., 463). The plaintiffs, by giving possession of the diamonds to a person whom they knew to be a dealer in them, thus gave him the means of practicing a fraud upon a bona fide purchaser if they can be allowed to recover here.. The consequences of the act named should fall on them.

¶3I dissent, therefore.

¶4Judgment and order affirmed.

/40/nysupct/501 · .json · Public domain