Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) -

Mrs. Donoghue was a Scottish store clerk in her early 30s. One Sunday evening in August 1928 she went to a cafe & ordered an ice cream float, i.e. ice cream and ginger beer. The proprietor brought over the ice cream in a tumbler & poured some ginger beer over it from a bottle bearing the name of D. Stevenson. Mrs. D. took a drink and when her glass was refilled with ginger beer, in there was the mingled decomposed remains of a snail. Mrs. D. suffered from shock & a severe bout of gastroenteritis which landed her in hospital for several days. Her solicitor issued a writ against David Stevenson, claiming 500 UK pounds in damages & costs. The case ultimately reached the House of Lords where the historic decision was made in Mrs. D's favor & Lord Atkin's "good neighbor" principle was born.

David Stevenson had a prosperous lemonade & ginger beer factory. A newspaper report at the time stated that the establishment was run with "almost military thoroughness". However, during the case it was alleged that the factory had become a place to which "snails had freedom of access" and "where snails & the slimy trails of snails were frequently found".

7.5" x 10.25". Brown on ivory quality paper. Unframed only.

Donoghue v. Stevenson item #1325U - $17.5