Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
Lengthy Letter Handwritten by the Chafetz Chaim – Interesting Documentation of the Chafetz Chaim's Efforts to Sell his Books in the United States – Radin, 1897
Opening: $22,000
Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000
Unsold
Lengthy letter (approx. 3.5 written pages – unsigned), handwritten by R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen author of Chafetz Chaim. Radin (Raduń), 1897.
Interesting documentation of the Chafetz Chaim's efforts to sell his books in the United States, in order to spread the light of Torah in America. In this letter, the Chafetz Chaim mentions his renowned books: Chafetz Chaim, Shemirat HaLashon, Mishna Berura and others.
Addressed to "My outstanding and honored friend, R. Yosef Stern" in the United States. The Chafetz Chaim expresses his gratitude to R. Yosef for his efforts to distribute the books in the United States, and comforts him for the minimal profits: "And regarding his distress over the low revenue, obviously it is all from G-d, and no one knows which place he will earn from, and G-d will replenish him from a different source". Further in the letter, the Chafetz Chaim describes the system they employ for distributing the books in Russia, through agents who deliver sermons (maggidim), which is more effective than a travelling salesman: "As we are a bit experienced in this business, we assume that the true reason for the low proceeds is because they are being sold without maggidim, since all our agents who travel through Russia are maggidim, and for a maggid it is easier, since as a result of the two hours he stands at the podium, the entire town already knows the object of his visit and the purpose of the books, and consequently, it is easy for him to sell since everyone knows him. Conversely, when one needs to approach each person individually and present the books before him, and get him to understand the purpose of the books, time will run out before he manages to sell to a dozen people". The Chafetz Chaim relates that before they began using the maggidim system in Russia, there as well the profits were minimal.
The Chafetz Chaim further relates that he decided to publish Nidchei Yisrael in Yiddish, since he heard that in America, the people don't understand Hebrew, and it will be of greater benefit if the book is printed in the language the people speak.
The Chafetz Chaim informs the recipient that he holds the exclusive rights of selling the books in New York, and that he notified another agent from Radin who wished to sell his books in America, that the latter is not authorized to sell in New York, only in Boston, Chicago, other towns and in "the country", and he adds further details in this regard.
The Chafetz Chaim then lists the exact number of books he is sending and the price of each book, and other interesting data. For instance, he writes that he is sending 10 copies of Nidchei Yisrael in Hebrew, and 120 copies in Yiddish. Likewise, the prices of the books are listed in American cents. The cheapest book is Shem Olam, sold at 25 cents, while a volume of Mishna Berura costs 80 cents.
On page [3], several lines were added, clearly written by the Chafetz Chaim at a later point, in which he informs him that after thinking over the matter, he decided to lower the price of the books to the limit of his capacity, since the bookseller is making almost no profit from the sale of these books.
[2] leaves (approx. 3.5 written pages). 22 cm. Dry paper. Good-fair condition. Minor tears to margins and folds.
Enclosed is a report from an expert on rabbinic manuscripts, identifying the handwriting as that of the Chafetz Chaim.
Interesting documentation of the Chafetz Chaim's efforts to sell his books in the United States, in order to spread the light of Torah in America. In this letter, the Chafetz Chaim mentions his renowned books: Chafetz Chaim, Shemirat HaLashon, Mishna Berura and others.
Addressed to "My outstanding and honored friend, R. Yosef Stern" in the United States. The Chafetz Chaim expresses his gratitude to R. Yosef for his efforts to distribute the books in the United States, and comforts him for the minimal profits: "And regarding his distress over the low revenue, obviously it is all from G-d, and no one knows which place he will earn from, and G-d will replenish him from a different source". Further in the letter, the Chafetz Chaim describes the system they employ for distributing the books in Russia, through agents who deliver sermons (maggidim), which is more effective than a travelling salesman: "As we are a bit experienced in this business, we assume that the true reason for the low proceeds is because they are being sold without maggidim, since all our agents who travel through Russia are maggidim, and for a maggid it is easier, since as a result of the two hours he stands at the podium, the entire town already knows the object of his visit and the purpose of the books, and consequently, it is easy for him to sell since everyone knows him. Conversely, when one needs to approach each person individually and present the books before him, and get him to understand the purpose of the books, time will run out before he manages to sell to a dozen people". The Chafetz Chaim relates that before they began using the maggidim system in Russia, there as well the profits were minimal.
The Chafetz Chaim further relates that he decided to publish Nidchei Yisrael in Yiddish, since he heard that in America, the people don't understand Hebrew, and it will be of greater benefit if the book is printed in the language the people speak.
The Chafetz Chaim informs the recipient that he holds the exclusive rights of selling the books in New York, and that he notified another agent from Radin who wished to sell his books in America, that the latter is not authorized to sell in New York, only in Boston, Chicago, other towns and in "the country", and he adds further details in this regard.
The Chafetz Chaim then lists the exact number of books he is sending and the price of each book, and other interesting data. For instance, he writes that he is sending 10 copies of Nidchei Yisrael in Hebrew, and 120 copies in Yiddish. Likewise, the prices of the books are listed in American cents. The cheapest book is Shem Olam, sold at 25 cents, while a volume of Mishna Berura costs 80 cents.
On page [3], several lines were added, clearly written by the Chafetz Chaim at a later point, in which he informs him that after thinking over the matter, he decided to lower the price of the books to the limit of his capacity, since the bookseller is making almost no profit from the sale of these books.
[2] leaves (approx. 3.5 written pages). 22 cm. Dry paper. Good-fair condition. Minor tears to margins and folds.
Enclosed is a report from an expert on rabbinic manuscripts, identifying the handwriting as that of the Chafetz Chaim.
Letters – Lithuanian Rabbis
Letters – Lithuanian Rabbis