CORSETS IN COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 163, 15 August 1914, Page 3

CORSETS IN COURT.

AMUSING LIBEL ACTION AGAINST SANDOW. Actresses, corsets, and photographs were discussed in an amusing case heard in the London Law Courts recently. It was brought by Mrs Vera Jane Wood, the actress, whose stage name is Miss Jane Wood. She claimed damages against Mr Eugeu Sandow, the physical culture expert, Sandow, Ltd., and the Dover Street Studios, Ltd., for infringement of copyright of her photograph, aud" libel.

Mt Ciavell Salter, K.C., explained that Mr Sandow had taken up the sale of corsets.

"Ought I to have lady assessors?" Mr Justice Scrutton aslced nervously.

"I think you will be able to deal with j the case,'' returned Mr Salter re-; ass uri ugly. I "Early in 191i>," he continued, "Mrs Wood went on the stage. She began in j the chorus, and secured an engagement later to appear at the Colosseum with j Mr George Graves's company. She was j anxious that her picture in connection i with the production should appeal in certain weekly papers. "She was told by a friend that if siie had her photograph taken at the Dover Street studios they might be able to get her photograph into those papers. She j had her photograph taken at the studios i in September in the ordinary way. j "While she was there, Mr Hambcrger j asked, whether she would be willing to j sit to him to be photographed for pic- \ ture representing fashionable gowns, advertising the wares of fashionable dressmakers. She thought she would have no objection, but as she was going on tour nothing could be done in the matter for some time. Measurements.

"Mr Hamberger told her to send him her measurements, by which she understood that if the matter went. r further g~own3 would be made for her. While away on tour she forwarded her measurements, but as her relations did not like the notion she went no further with the matter.

"She ordered six copies of her photograph, which had been taken. The price was £2 2/-, but as a deduction was made in the case of people in the theatrical profession, the charge was £1 8/-. Without her permission her portrait was put in a fashion model book and her measurements, too. Later, it appears, it was handed over to Mr San dow.

"When she was performing at Birmingham she opened her newspaper one morning, and saw in a half-page advertisement of Sandow's corsets her own picture with her name underneath. It was a reproduction of the photograph she had paid. for. "She wrote, protesting to Sandow's. In reply she received a Wire from Mr Sandow: 'Misunderstanding with, the photographer; much "regret; withdrawing photograph.' Mr Sandow also wrote: 'I need hardly say how much I regret this, as I was acting as I thought in perfectly good faith.'

" Subsequently Mr Hamberger wrote: 'The photograph is our own copyright.' " Mr .Justice Scruttowr~addressing Mr Clay ell Salter, said he was not sure that the publication was defamatory. "It is very annoying," he added, "but so it would be if you were told you were wearing trousers made by some tailor whom you did not patronise. It might be defamatory to the tailor if they were nry trousers." In a Wig. Mrs Wood, giving evidence, said she understudied Miss Ethel Levey in a sketch at the Hippodrome. When another sketch was put 011 she had the •part of a judge. "I wore a wig and gown," she said. "Later, I took the part of prosec:iling counsel."

"She kept on rising in the profession," remarked Mr Salter. "Are you suggesting," said Mr Holman Gregory, K.C., who appeared for Mr Sandow, "that it is derogatory for you-or for any actress to be associated with' trade advertisements?''

"I think that in this particular case it is derogatory," replied iklrs Wood. Mr Gregory produced a book, in which actresses' photographs appeared, and asked the judge, "May the jury •look at the book?"

"It distracts a jury horribly," observed Mr Justice Scrutton. Mr George Graves, the comedian, said that Miss Wood had appeared in his company at the Colosseum. "In your opinion," asked Mr Salter, "would it be injurious to a young actress to 'have her photograph appear in that connection?"

"I hardly think that. professionally it would do her much harm or good," replied Mr Graves. "On the social side it would not be good for her.''

Miss Nellie Grimstead, reception clerk at the Dover Street studios, said that when Mrs Wood sat it was complimentary. She was given four finished photographs, and her subsequent payment was for extra copies she had.

"Are you one of the firms who inundate judges with circulars," asked the judge, '' or do you confine yourselves to better-looking people?" Miss Grimstead replied that ordinary sitters were always required to pay a deposit or give a reference.

"Last time I went to be photographed," said Mr Justice Scrutton, "they insisted 011 seeing the colour of my money before I was taken."