Clark v. Hamilton Diamond Co.

WASTE, C. J.—

The plaintiff brought an action in claim and delivery for recovery of the possession of a diamond ring alleged to be of the value of five hundred dollars. Judgment went for the plaintiff and the defendant Cohen has appealed, contending that he is a

Iona fide

purchaser of the ring without, knowledge of defect of title, and is entitled to a reversal of the judgment.

The appeal is on the judgment-roll alone, and the findings show that plaintiff sold the ring to Harry Justice, who “ fraudulently gave a worthless check in payment therefor.” Justice traded the ring to one Dye as payment on a secondhand automobile. Dye deposited the ring for sale with one Allen, a retail jeweler, who in turn placed the ring in the possession of one Friedman, who was in the business of going from store to store buying and selling jewelry. Friedman sold the ring to the defendant Cohen, doing business as Hamilton Diamond Company, who purchased it without knowledge of the transaction between plaintiff and Justice. Immediately upon receipt of the check from Justice the plaintiff deposited it, in due course of business, for collection, and it was returned marked “not sufficient funds.” Immediately upon the return of the worthless cheek plaintiff brought this action for the recovery of the ring and, by proper proceedings in claim and delivery, obtained possession from the defendant Cohen.

Further findings are that the sale of the ring to Justice was for cash; that plaintiff did not waive immediate cash payment and gave no

indicia

or muniment of title to anyone when the sale was made; and, in obtaining the ring,

[3]

Cohen, the purchaser, did not rely upon any evidence of title in his grantor.

From these findings it follows that the sale of the ring by plaintiff to Justice was, in effect, a sale for cash, as distinguished from a sale on credit, payment to be made, as is customary in similar transactions, by check. As it was not agreed that the check was to be received as absolute payment, the delivery of the ring to Justice was- also conditional, and, the check being dishonored upon due presentation, title to the ring remained in plaintiff.