Armory v.

Delamirie

King's Bench, 1722.

1 Strange 505
Pages 98-101 Case Book

Facts: P found a jewel while cleaning a chimney and took it to the defendant. D offered the P
money for the jewel. P refused the money and asked for the jewel back. D did not return the
jewel to the P. P sued for trover, common law action for money damages resulting from the
defendant's conversion to his own use of a chattel (personal property) owned or possessed by the
plaintiff.

Procedural History: Court found in favor

Issue: Does the person who finds lost property has superior title over it than everyone besides
the true owner?

Holding:

Reasoning: Yes, the finder of the property has superior title over the world except the true
owner.