Case Name: The Central Bureau of Engraving, Appellant, v. The J. W. Pratt Company, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1908-07
Citations: 60 Misc. 120
Docket Number: 
Parties: The Central Bureau of Engraving, Appellant, v. The J. W. Pratt Company, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 60
Pages: 120–122

Head Matter:
The Central Bureau of Engraving, Appellant, v. The J. W. Pratt Company, Respondent.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Term,
July, 1908.)
Rescission of contracts — Return of consideration or benefits — Necessity of return.
Where defendant employed plaintiff to make a four color reproduction of a picture, he could not rescind the contract and escape liability for payment, on the ground that the plaintiff’s work was inferior in quality, by returning the plates to the plaintiff, but retaining the progressive proofs and drawings which plaintiff made for use by another engraver whom he subsequently employed to do the work.
Appeal by the plaintiff from a judgment in favor of the defendant, rendered in the Municipal Court of the city of ¡New York, first district, borough of Manhattan.
Stephens & Baker, for appellant.
Elek John Ludvigh, for respondent.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The action is for labor and materials in the making of a four color reproduction of a subject called " The Candy Girl," which defendant wanted for a customer. The defense is that it was guaranteed to be first class, but was inferior and refused by the customer, so that defendant was obliged to get the work done elsewhere. The justice found for defendant. Plaintiff appeals. It appears that defendant returned the plates to plaintiff, but retained the progressive proofs and drawings, which were subsequently used by another engraver to make a set of plates for defendant. The latter, while retaining and using the drawing, could not rescind the contract by returning the plates only, as the contract was an entire one and included all the work and materials done and furnished by plaintiff in the making of said reproduction of the subject known as " The Candy Girl." The rule is that, where a defendant relies upon a breach of warranty in an action for the price of an article, he must show a rescission of the contract by returning or offering to return the article and all benefits received under the contract.
Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event.
Gildersleeve and Seabury, JJ., concur.