Armory v. Delamire

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Brief Fact Summary.

Synopsis of Rule of Law.

Facts. Armory (P), a chimney sweep’s boy, found a jewel and took it to the Delamire (D), a goldsmith, to know what it was. After D’s apprentice removed the stone, D offered to buy the jewel. When P refused and asked for its return, D returned it without the stones.

Issue. Whether a finder of lost or abandoned property has a superior property right against all others except the rightful owner?

Held. Yes.

Discussion. The first finder of lost or abandoned property has superior property rights in such property against all others except the true owner.