Featured Case Revisited: Wood v. Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon

This blog previously featured a post on the case of  Wood v. Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon.  As most readers will know, that is a case on consideration wherein a potentially illusory promise was given life by Judge Cardozo's imposition of an implied obligation of good faith.

Perhaps some of the resources below can help to breathe life into a century old case and turn a dry legal principle like "consideration" into an enjoyable learning experience.

Stanford law Professor R. B. Craswell, whose songs have previously been featured in this blog, now has a catchy tune that not only describes the facts and the holding of the case, but hearkens back to the historical era of the proceedings.



Sometimes, it is helpful to get students to see cases from the perspective of the parties, rather than as simply a legal principle to study. This case involved parties who were colorful characters. Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon's troubles stemming from her successful escape form the Titanic disaster are well documented. See the video at prior post, here.  Lady Duff Gordon's fashion house was known as the "House of Lucile." More of her background can be read here:  Lucile, Her Life By Design

Image from: http://oldmagazinearticles.com/Fashion.Page3



When Lucy started listing her clothes for sale with Sears Roebuck, Wood sued for breach of contract. Images from the Sears Roebuck Catalog that constituted Duff Gordon's breach of contract:

image source: http://pinterest.com/pamperedtammy/1900-1940-s-fashion/


Duff Gordon image from: http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/lady-duff-gordon-crochet-book.html


Lady Duff Gordon at work with one of her models:
Image source: http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/lucile.html


Finally, below is a video of a remastered 1917 film showing Duff Gordon's fashions and technique of using live models, a transformative innovation in the fashion industry.