Remington v. Lauter Piano Co.
Remington v. Lauter Piano Co.
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff, Bemington, was employed in writing by Matilda Eobson to sell her property on North Twelfth street, Newark, New Jersey. He arranged for the sale of the prern
At the time fixed for settlement, Goldberg & Galler refused to go on with the purchase of the premises unless Eemington’s commissions were paid. Joseph A. Euerstman, an attorney-at-law representing the Lauter Piano Company, agreed to pay the commissions if Goldberg & Galler would immediately go on with the sale and if it transpired that Mrs. Eobson had signed the authorization for the commissions. There seems to be no dispute that Mrs. Eobson did sign the authorization, nor is it contended here that Euerstman lacked authority to bind the Lauter Piano Company.
The District Court found that Euerstman’s undertaking was an undertaking to answer for the debt of another, and since it was not in writing there could be no recovery.
We think it quite clear that Euerstman’s promise was an independent undertaking. He did not promise to pay Mrs. Eobson’s debt. He promised to,pay Eemington money if Goldberg & Galler would immediately go on with the purchase of the premises. Of course, Goldberg & Galler were under a contract to purchase the property. But the immediate settlement of their obligation by the payment of cash and the taking of title furnished a consideration to support the promise to pay Eemington a sum of money. This was not a payment of commissions for. the sale of real estate, but a payment promised for present settlement of a dispute.
So we find that the promise was not only an original undertaking, but that it was supported by a good and valid consideration. See Military College v. Brooks, 7 N. J. Adv. R. 1207.
The judgment below will be reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.