Case ID: misc_9/html/0462-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Bischoff, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The American Writing Machine Co., Appellant, v. Elbert E. Bushnell, Respondent.
    (New York Common Pleas — Additional General Term,
    August, 1894.)
    Any distinct assertion by the seller in regard to the quality of the goods sold, made as an inducement to a purchase, and relied on by the buyer, may be properly made the "ground for finding a warranty.
    To induce defendant to purchase a writing machine, plaintiff's agent called his attention to the fact that the machine was of a certain number, which imported a greater value to it as including certain recent improvements. The machine was in fact of an earlier date, and the number had been altered. Held, that such representation was material in inducing the sale, and constituted a warranty, for the breach of. which the defendant was entitled to rescind the sale.
    Appeal from a judgment of the District Court in the city of New York for the first judicial district, rendered by the justice, without a jury, in favor of the defendant.
    
      Action for goods sold and delivered; the defense relied upon breach of warranty.
    
      Charles C. Miller, for appellant.
    
      L. M. Simpson, for respondent.
   Bischoff, J.

No exceptions to rulings upon the trial were taken by appellant, and the argument for a reversal is based entirely upon the facts. The sole issue was as to whether or not there had been a breach of warranty upon the sale of the type-writing machine in question to the defendant, and the justice’s finding that there was such a breach is to be supported upon the evidence. The sale and delivery of the goods was admitted, and it was upon the affirmative defense noted that trial was had.

It appears that in the course of bargaining, after defendant had refused to purchase at the price set by plaintiff, attention was called by the latter’s agent to the fact that the machine was of a certain numerical designation, which imported to the trade and to these parties, who were versed in matters pertaining to the construction of type-writing machines, a greater value to the machine than would a lesser figure, and this because the machines numbered the higher were the later of manufacture, and, therefore, embodied certain valuable improvements of recent date. Defendant thereupon completed the purchase. From the evidence given by defendant it appears that the machine was not as represented in this regard, being in fact of an early date of manufacture and bearing a number which had been altered. That the representation as to this question of trade designation was material in inducing the sale, and that it was in fact erroneous, appears from the evidence received, and the judgment finds ample support upon the record. There is no force in the contention that the evidence given with reference to the falsity of the representation was not the best evidence, because dealing merely with the construction of the machine and not expressly with the alteration of the number; this evidence, having been received without objection, is to be considered in determining the issues. creme v. Powell, 139 N. Y. 379, 384. The effect of this evidence was to establish the fact that in purchasing the defendant had been misled by a material representation, the falsity of which was, according to the testimony, by no means obvious to the purchaser, and which was of a nature entitling the defendant to rescind the sale upon his discovery of the true state of facts. There is no 'question to be raised as to the diligence with which defendant acted in electing to rescind. No particular words are required to constitute a warranty of quality. Any distinct assertion in that regard, made by the seller as an inducement to purchase, and relied on by the buyer, may be properly made the ground for finding such a warranty. Hawkins v. Pemberton, 51 N. Y. 198; Wilbur v. Catringi , 44 Barb. 536; Warren v. Van Pelt, 4 E. D. Smith, 202; Blakeman v. Mackay, 1 Hilt. 266; Chapman v. Murch, 19 Johns. 290. Whether or not the words used are to be viewed as a warranty is a question of fact (Blakeman v. Mackay, 1 Hilt. 266 ; Rogers v. Ackerman, 22 Barb. 134; hitney v. Sutton, 10 Wend. 412), and that for a breach of the warranty the purchaser may avoid liability for the price by rescission of the sale and return of the goods is clear beyond dispute. Norton v. Dreyfuss, 106 N. Y. 90.

We are well content to support the justice’s finding upon the evidence.

The judgment should be affirmed, with costs.

Bookstaver, J., concurs.

Judgment affirmed, with costs.