Straus v. Herman
Straus v. Herman
Opinion of the Court
Under section 2614 of the Code, contracts of barter and exchange stand on the same footing with private sales, so far
It is admitted that, under the proof, he might, had he offered the $27 as well as the ware, recover the whole value of the pin. But the defendant has disposed of the pin. He is unable to give it up. It was therefore useless to give him that option; since, by his own act, he had made it impossible for him to return the pin. It seems to us, that it would be sticking very closely in the bark to say that he ought to have offered to rescind entirely, that is, offered back the money also, and then sued for the value of the pin, allowing a credit for the money. That is in effect what has been done.
Did it appear that the defendant was willing or able to rescind at the time of the demand, there might be ground for saying that the plaintiff had not done enough, but the proof shows that he denied having the pin; so that he could not restore it, and there was therefore no use in offering him the $27 as well as the wares. Applying the rule in the ease of sales to this case, so far as the circumstances permit the application to be made, we think the present action is sustained by the proof. Here was a clear fraud on the defendant, he put it out of his power to rescind the trade. The plaintiff offered him the next best thing, viz: “Here is your plated ware, pay me what I took it at.” He refused also this.
We think, under the facts, he had a right to sue for the
Judgment reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.