Aldrich v. Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Inc.

When Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich presented themselves at the Waldorf’s check room at the conclusion of the Viennese Opera Ball, Mrs. Aldrich’s mink jacket was missing. The check room was operated for the Waldorf by Harry Cantor but this fact was not revealed in any way to the guests.

The Waldorf and Mr. Cantor seek to avoid the ordinary consequences of the law of bailments by relying on the limitation of liability contained in section 201 of the General Business Law. Such limitation is not available to Mr. Cantor because he is not a hotel, motel-or restaurant. The statute is in derogation of…