Case Name: Grand Rapids Veneer Works, Appellant, v. George E. Forsythe and Another, Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, General Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1894-12
Citations: 90 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 230
Docket Number: 
Parties: Grand Rapids Veneer Works, Appellant, v. George E. Forsythe and Another, Respondents.
Judges: Dykman, J., concurred; Brown, P. J., not sitting.
Reporter: Supreme Court Reports (Hun)
Volume: 90
Pages: 230–233

Head Matter:
Grand Rapids Veneer Works, Appellant, v. George E. Forsythe and Another, Respondents.
Parol evidence — at van'ianae with the terms of a written instrument — recovery for goods sold and delivered — proof that the order and contract were based on samples shown.
Parol evidence is not, as a rule, admissible to contradict a written contract nor is it admissible where the writing appears to constitute a complete and perfect agreement, but this rule does not apply where the original contract is verbal and entire, and a part only is reduced to writing, nor does it apply to collateral undertakings.
It was shown upon the trial of an action, brought to recover the value of goods sold and delivered, that the negotiations had between the parties were oral, by the presentation of samples, in pursuance of which a written order was given in the following terms:
"Brooklyn, 2Y Y., June^th, 1891.
“ Grand Rapids Yeneer Works, Grand Rapids, Mich.:
“ Order Book No. 1437.
“Dear Sirs. — Please ship us at once 1 carload 1-30" Birch Squares composed of 1300 squares 16x16 and balance of equal parts of 14x14 & 15x15. To be dry, flat and cut smooth without fractures, and at least i d. white faces. Price §3.75 M. 4mos. note.
“ Yours truly,
“FORSYTHE & 00.
“We pay i freight.
"F. & Co.
“You may send samples of your 1-30 & 1-15" Birch sheets, say 36" grain, &iilso of Shaved Quar. Oak 1-30”.”
Held, that as the order contained no covenants on the part of the vendor, and was not executed by it or its agent, it was not in form an agreement, and did not constitute a contract except by acceptance by the vendor;
That as the contract of sale was executory, the vendee having no knowledge of tlie character of the goods save by the samples, it was permissible to show that the order and contract were based on the samples shown and that the sale was by sample.
Appeal by tbe plaintiff, tbe Grand Rapids Veneer Works, from a judgment of the Supreme Court in favor of tbe defendants, entered in tbe office of the clerk of the county of Kings on tbe 19th day of December, 1893, upon tbe verdict of a jury rendered after a trial at tbe Kings County Circuit, and also from an order made at tbe Kings County Circuit on tbe 14th day of December, 1893, denying tbe defendants’ motion for a new trial made upon tbe minutes.
Estes, Barnard <& Tiffany, for tbe appellant.
J. Stewart Boss, for tbe respondents.

Opinion:
Cullen, J.:
This is an appeal from a judgment for tbe defendants entered upon tbe verdict of a jury and an order denying plaintiff's motion for a new trial. The action is to recover tbe price of squares of veneer shipped to defendants under an executory, contract of sale. Tbe defendants refused to accept tbe goods on tbe ground that they did not comply with tbe contract, and counterclaimed for an amount of freight paid by them.
We are strenuously urged to set aside tbe verdict on the ground that it is against tbe weight of evidence. Our examination of the' evidence leads us to no such conclusion. There was a fair question of fact whether the goods complied with tbe order or not, and tbe question was fairly submitted to tbe jury under a charge to which no exception was taken. The verdict must, therefore, stand unless there was legal error in tbe conduct of the trial. In this respect there is but one question that needs discussion.
Tbe contract between tbe parties, so far as it was in writing, consisted of an order given by defendants to the plaintiff's agent Tbeis and a series of letters and' telegrams following. Tbe defendants in their answer alleged that tbe sale was made by samples on tbe representation of tlie agent that tbe goods were of a superior quality and equal to the sample. Thereupon the defendants gave the agent an order in these terms :
" Brooklyn, N. Y., June '¡¡Qth, 1891.
" Grand Rapids Veneer Works, Grand Rapids, Mich.:
" Order Book No. 1437.
" Dear Sirs. — Please ship us at once 1 carload Birch Squares, composed of 1300 squares 16x16 and balance of equal parts of 14x14 & 15x15. To be dry, flat and cut smooth without fractures, and at least d. white faces. Price, $2.75 M. 4 mos. note.
" Yours truly,
"FORSYTHE & 00.
"We pay freight. F. & Co.
"You may send samples of your ^ Birch sheets, say 36" grain, & also of Shaved Quar. Oak,
The subsequent correspondence is not material on the question now presented. On the trial the defendants were permitted to prove against plaintiff's objection and exception the conversation and transaction between Theis and defendants at the time of giving the order. The appellants claim that this ruling was erroneous.
The question of how far parol evidence is admissible to vary a written contract is often very difficult to determine. It may be laid down as a rule that it is^ not admissible to contradict the written contract nor where the writing appears to be a complete and perfect agreement. (Eighmie v. Taylor, 98 N. Y. 288.)
But the rule does not apply where the original contract is verbal and entire and a part only reduced to writing nor to collateral undertakings. (Chapin v. Dobson, 78 N. Y. 75.)
We think that this case falls within the exception to the rule first named. The negotiation was had orally and by the presentation of the sample. In pursuance of it a written order was given. This order was not in form, an agreement. .It contained no covenants on the part of the vendor and was not executed by Theis, and, therefore, could not constitute a contract except on acceptance by the plaintiff. The contract of sale was executory; .the vendee had no knowledge of the character of the goods save by the sample. We think that in such a case under the authorities cited it was permissible to show that the order and contract. were based on samples shown and that the sale was a sale by sample.
The judgment and order denying new trial appealed from should be affirmed, with costs.
Dykman, J., concurred; Brown, P. J., not sitting.
Judgment and order affirmed, with costs.