Correspondence between Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt זצ"ל, and his publishers

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This passed week, we received the news of the passing of Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt, זצ"ל, author of Rivevot Ephraim and a talmid muvhak of Harav Moshe Feinstein, זצ"ל, who passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 81. A brilliant Posek, he authored 9 volumes of Responsa, titled רבבות אפרים.

Above are images of correspondence R. Greenblatt had with his publisher, Balshan regarding the publishing of his Responsa. The letters were written by Rabbi Sholom Ber Pewzner of Balshan Printing house, and his partner and discuss the pricing for the first volumes of his work. The letters shed light on to some of the details behind the scenes that need to take place for such a monumental work to be published.

In the third letter, the publishers write that they attached $1000 as an advance for the book. I know of no other case where Rabbis were given advances for books such as this. The publishers bought out the rights of the book and published at their own cost and risk. They bemoan the rise of printing costs and excuse themselves for not being able to pay more for "Important Sefer".