Today In History: Minneapolis Surplus Rides Again

Exactly fifty years ago today, on Friday, April 13, 1956, the Great Minneapolis Surplus Store shoots itself in the foot a second time, running the following ad:

2 Brand New Pastel Mink 3-Skin Scarfs
Selling for $89.50
Out they go Saturday ... Each $1.00
1 Black Lapin Stole, Beautiful, worth $139.50 ... $1.00
First Come First Served

When the store refuses to sell the items to Morris Lefkowitz, the result will be Lefkowitz v. Great Minneapolis Surplus Store, Inc., the classic case on whether an advertisement is an "offer" in contract law.

[Frank Snyder]