Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers

Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers, or Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus, was an Estonian publishing house devoted to reference and knowledge literature. Its documented publishing areas included encyclopedias, atlases, and popular-science books. The available historical record does not specify when the company was founded or provide a detailed account of its institutional development, but its catalogue shows a focus on works intended for broad public reference and education. Two cited publications illustrate the range of its output. "100 Great Estonians of the 20th Century," issued in 1999, addressed Estonian national biography and twentieth-century cultural memory. "A ja O," published in 2004, is identified as another notable publication. The publisher also produced encyclopedic and atlas material, although the supplied sources do not identify all titles, publication dates, editors, or print histories. Ownership information is available for 2009. Hardo Aasmäe was reported to hold 25.6 percent of the company, Jüri Ott 20.4 percent, and Ülo Kaevats 12.0 percent. These were the principal shareholders named in the reference material. The sources do not establish whether any of them served as chief executive, editor-in-chief, or board chair, so they are recorded as shareholders rather than corporate executives. In 2011, Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers went bankrupt. The bankruptcy process was complicated by a dispute involving the publisher's last office at Ülemiste City. The office owner confiscated property located there and sold it to cover a rent debt of approximately 9,000 euros. Bankruptcy administrator Tiina Mitt estimated the value of the seized property at more than 4.3 million euros. The property reportedly included company documents, author contracts, and books that were still being edited. The location of those materials was subsequently unknown, and part of the publisher's archive was reported lost. A criminal investigation was initiated. This episode made the bankruptcy a matter of concern beyond ordinary creditor recovery, because it potentially affected the preservation of editorial records, contractual documentation, and unpublished or incomplete works. The available reference does not state the final outcome of the investigation or describe the ultimate disposition of all assets. The company's documented history consequently ends with its 2011 bankruptcy. Its surviving profile is that of a specialist Estonian reference publisher whose encyclopedias, atlases, and popular-science publications formed part of the country's modern knowledge-publishing infrastructure. A fuller institutional history would require additional archival, bibliographic, and insolvency records.

• 2011

  Bankruptcy and loss of archive materials

  [1]Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishersen.wikipedia.org

  The publisher entered bankruptcy; property from its final office was seized and sold over rent arrears, while documents and part of the archive became unaccounted for and a criminal investigation began.

• 2009

  Principal shareholders reported

  [1]Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishersen.wikipedia.org

  Reported major shareholders included Hardo Aasmäe with 25.6 percent, Jüri Ott with 20.4 percent, and Ülo Kaevats with 12.0 percent.

• 2004

  Publication of A ja O

  [1]Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishersen.wikipedia.org

  A ja O was published as one of the publisher's notable reference titles.

• 1999

  Publication of 100 Great Estonians of the 20th Century

  [1]Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishersen.wikipedia.org

  The publisher issued a biographical reference work focused on notable Estonians of the twentieth century.

A specialist Estonian reference publisher serving readers of encyclopedias, atlases, and popular-science literature.

• Reference literature

  Encyclopedias

  Encyclopedic reference works formed the core of the publisher's identity. The available material does not provide a complete title list, edition history, or details of the editorial and distribution programs.

• Reference literature

  Atlases

  The publisher produced atlas publications alongside encyclopedias and other reference works. Specific atlas titles, subjects, publication dates, and formats are not identified in the supplied sources.

• Biography and cultural reference · 1999

  100 Great Estonians of the 20th Century

  Published in 1999, this work presented a selection of notable Estonians associated with the twentieth century. It represents the publisher's role in documenting national biography and cultural memory.

• Reference book · 2004

  A ja O

  Published in 2004, A ja O is listed among the publisher's notable publications. The available reference does not provide a detailed description of its structure, audience, or subsequent editions.

• Popular science

  Popular-science literature

  Popular-science books formed another part of the publishing program, extending the company's work beyond strictly encyclopedic and atlas formats. Individual titles are not identified in the supplied material.

• 2011

  Disputed handling and disappearance of archive materials

  During the bankruptcy, property from the publisher's last office was seized and sold to recover rent arrears. Documents, author contracts, books under editing, and part of the archive subsequently had an unknown location. A criminal investigation was initiated.

  Source

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• 2011

  Bankruptcy filing and winding downOther

  Background

  The publisher could no longer continue as an operating reference-literature business and entered bankruptcy.

  Action taken

  Bankruptcy proceedings were opened and the company's remaining assets and obligations were placed under administration.

  Aftermath

  The proceedings became entangled with the seizure and sale of office property, and the company ceased operating as a publisher.

  Source

1. 1Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishersen.wikipedia.org