Blefeld-Goodfriend, Inc. v. United States

1 Cust. Ct. 24, 1938 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 7
CourtUnited States Customs Court
DecidedJuly 5, 1938
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 1 Cust. Ct. 24 (Blefeld-Goodfriend, Inc. v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Customs Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Blefeld-Goodfriend, Inc. v. United States, 1 Cust. Ct. 24, 1938 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 7 (cusc 1938).

Opinion

Sullivan, Judge:

The merchandise in question is described in protest 893041-G, on the invoice with entry 839525 as “Mirror Oval”' No. 3020; “Oblong Mirror” No. 3021; and “Square Mirror” No. 3022 (represented by Exhibits 1, 2, and 3); on the invoice with entry-833422 as “Square Mirror” No. 3019 (Exhibit 4), “Oval Mirror” No. 3020 (Exhibit 1), and “Oblong Mirror” No. 3021 (Exhibit 2);: on the invoice covered by entry 843008, “Oval Mirror” No. 3017' (Exhibit 5), also items 3020, 3021, and 3022, invoiced as “Oval Mirror,” “Oblong Mirror,” and “Square Mirror,” represented by the-exhibits heretofore mentioned having the same item numbers. As to-the invoice covered by protest 890775-G all the items described on that invoice are represented by the corresponding exhibits heretofore-mentioned. The same is true of the items on the invoice with protest. 921888-G.

This merchandise was assessed with duty by the collector of customs-at the port of New York at 60 per centum ad valorem under the provision in paragraph 218 (f) of the Tariff Act of 1930 for “all articles of' every description not specially provided for, composed wholly or in chief value of glass * * * silvered * * * or decorated or ornamented in any manner.”

It is claimed in the protests to be dutiable at 50 per centum ad-valorem under the provision in paragraph 230 (b) of the same act for-“Glass mirrors * * * not exceeding in size one hundred and. forty-four square inches, with or without frames or cases” and not-specially provided for.

There are other claims in the protests, which have been ignored by-the plaintiff.

The official samples consist of mirrors of heavy glass with beveled edges. Each sample has a piece of black cloth pasted on the back, and is ornamented at the top and bottom with a design representing-a spray of leaves and fruit, apparently painted in white on the back of the glass. These samples are “without frames or cases.” The largest of the samples is about 9 by 11% inches in width and length. The designs do not cover the centers of the mirrors, and do not interfere to any extent with their reflecting qualities.

Plaintiffs witness Ooodfriend testified that he sells the merchandise-represented by Exhibits 1 to 5 “in the same condition as they appear-here” to “various chain stores and department stores”; that he has seen them displayed therein after sale; that he had seen sales made of' these articles by the stores to whom he sold them, and that they were sold “in the same condition as they appear here”; that he had seen these articles in use usually in homes “as reflectors for various objects which may be placed upon them, or for decorative purposes”;. [26]*26that they were placed on the table in the home “flat on the surface of the table”, and “usually some object was placed upon it” such as a vase, “or a console set, or candlestick, or something of that nature”; that these articles have a coating between the felt covering and the glass “for the purpose of causing the glass to reflect images”; that he can see his reflection in the glass of these exhibits with reasonable clarity, and that such reflection compares favorably with the reflection obtained when he looks in his shaving mirror; and that he did not know of any other use for these articles than as stated.

On cross-examination he testified he distinguished between these articles and those he used at home as follows:

The mirrors we have at home, the one that I use in my own particular home, is fastened in the door of the medicine chest. * * * On the wall.
^ * H* ^ H* * H*
X Q. Isn’t it true that your mirror at home is primarily designed to reflect the image of the person who looks in the mirror? — A. It is.
X Q. Isn’t it equally true that articles like Exhibits 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are especially designed to be used as reflectors on tables? — A. This is used exactly in the manner I have described.
X Q. But Exhibits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are primarily designed to be used as reflectors on tables? — A. Yes, sir.

It was then established that these articles are under 144 square inches in dimensions.

Defendants witness Mernoff testified he is assistant manager of a glass, mirror, and novelty factory located in Brooklyn; that his firm manufactures and sells articles similar to these exhibits; that he has sold such articles “as mirror plateaus”. He then testified as follows:

Q. Have you ever seen articles like Exhibits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 used in any other manner except on a table, for reflection purposes? — A. No, I have not.

He further testified that a table mirror “is commonly known for reflecting purposes, for looking into it for your own personal use. These articles are used for decorative purposes only”; that there is a design on the face of the exhibits for decorative purposes “there is a soft backing on it, which is put there so that it won’t scratch when it is laid down on the table, whereas a mirror for decorative purposes is hung on the wall, or framed in a hand mirror for personal use.”

Referring to the decoration on the face of the exhibits the witness testified:

They don’t use that decoration on any mirrors where they use them for personal use. It is only for decorative purposes.

He further testified he did not find any hooks or holes in the exhibits “which would enable a person to hang up said exhibits and use them as mirrors.”

On cross-examination he testified he recognized his reflection in a mirror, and the same is true of these exhibits; that a mirror is not [27]*27limited to a reflecting surface to be used personally. The witness was then questioned as to mirrors used in automobiles “to see if any one is coming up behind you,” to “show cases with mirrors in the back,” and to mirrors used as decorations so “that no one in the room can view their reflection in it,” as mirrors not used to reflect the person; also as to mirrors used in compacts by women and “wall mirrors that were not framed,” as examples of mirrors used to reflect the person, without frames.

jDefendant’s witness Weiner testified he is a designer for various forms of mirrors and patterns, including articles like these exhibits; that the difference between these exhibits and wall mirrors is as follows:

These mirrors are created for use, like Exhibits 1 to 5, to be used for showing up various ornaments that are placed on dressers or tables, or for flower purposes. They are not to be used on walls.
Judge Brown. Would they ask you to design a table mirror?
The Witness. Yes, sir; a plateau, which means a table mirror, which can’t be used on the wall. [Italics ours.]

In response to a question by the court the witness testified that when he used the term “plateau” or “mirror” it was based on an order for the design, which he received for the purpose.

He further testified that when he received an order for a plateau, he understood it referred to “Mirrors for a table, or whatever they want,” [italics ours] and that it meant a mirror

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Related

Protest 993385-G of Blefeld
4 Cust. Ct. 528 (U.S. Customs Court, 1940)
Protest 992050-G of Blefeld & Goodfriend, Inc.
4 Cust. Ct. 529 (U.S. Customs Court, 1940)

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Bluebook (online)
1 Cust. Ct. 24, 1938 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 7, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/blefeld-goodfriend-inc-v-united-states-cusc-1938.