Geoff Klass passed away in late February 2025. Click here to read a powerful tribute by Kathy Munro. Below are messages that have come in from across the heritage community:

• Flo Bird: “Just read the news of Geoffrey’s death. Certainly, one of Joburg’s characters. Sadly, I hadn’t seen him in years. I didn’t venture into Collectors Treasury – too great the temptation.
• Michael Bosazza:  “Geoff was one of my librarians when I was library prefect at Parktown Boys in 1963. His love of books was a huge asset, but we used to rile our master, Edgar Esprey.
• Donald Davies: “The last Great Antiquarian of Johannesburg.
• S J De Klerk: “Such a blow to Geoff’s many friends, customers and the antiquarian book trade. I first met Geoff when the shop was situated at the Trades Hall. If one needed a book or advice on a book, Geoff was the person to chat to. My condolences to Jonathan, Gundi and the family”.
• Carolyn Douglas: "Condolences on losing a very special and lifelong friend.”
• James Findlay: "Geoff was a mentor to me for the 28 years that I have been in the trade. His passing is a very sad occasion. My condolences to his family.”
• Dave Gurney: “His was one of the most fascinating bookshops in Johannesburg. He will be sorely missed by his customers.” 
• Carol Hardijzer: “Geoff Klass – A big tree has fallen! Much of the material in the Hardijzer Photographic Research Collection emanated from Collectors’ Treasury. Geoff was one of the few South African dealers who had an appreciation for South African photographic history. Articles published ont The Heritage Portal about Mission Photography, Pretorian photographer Dotman Pretorius, and Johannesburg female photographer Jane Plotz, were all supported by photographic material sourced from Geoff. Geoff’s appreciation for South African photographic history will be sorely missed.”
• Fleur Honeywil: “I remember my Dad taking me to the bookshop in town on a Saturday morning so he could potter around the shelves.”
• Marc Latilla: “I was a relative latecomer to the Collector's Treasury. My first visit was in 2019, but it soon became a regular haunt based on their amazing, if somewhat chaotic selection, coupled with Geoff's encyclopaedic knowledge of books (and what he had in stock, and where to find it amongst the wobbly skyscrapers of books  - which is a feat in itself if you've ever visited the building). Once he knew where your interest lay, it became impossible to leave the store without buying a book you didn't know you needed, or even existed. On payment of said book, one could easily spend another half-an-hour discussing various topics which would invariably result in him selling you another book.”
• Doron Locketz: “A legend has been lost. Geoff Klass was the major presence in Johannesburg’s out-of-print book market. We knew each over for over 35 years from the days I first started selling books. He was both a buying rival and a very good customer. I recall a book sale we dealers all attended. Geoff and I both put our hands on a first edition Ian Fleming, and neither of us would let go. Eventually we agreed to let the late Ian Snelling take and well the book, and the three of us shared the proceeds. Not always beloved by everyone but always respected. I will miss his erudition, keen wit and inimitable presence.”
• Stephen Le Roith: “How sad to hear the news about Geoff Klass, a Joburg institution. Your tribute Kathy was apt and describes that extraordinary bookstore so well - it and Geoff dare I say it - unkempt and unique. It is a treasure trove, were it not for claustrophobia and dust- I would spend days and a small fortune there. I shall miss Geoff, the place will not be the same without him.
• Isabella Pingle: “Please send my condolences to the Klass family. I had the pleasure of doing a valuation at the Kensington House many years ago. It was a maze of books everywhere.
• Rose Roering: “So sorry to hear about Geoff. We were both on the D A branch committee many years ago. He helped my son with a project on the Rand Steam Laundry. Encyclopedic knowledge. Condolences.”
• Markus  Scheuermaier: “The end of an era indeed.”
• Clare Van Zweiten: “ I first went to Collectors Treasury in the mid-80s with my Dad when I was a student at Wits. I was always concerned about not being able to look properly for books there. Then later I went to their building in Commissioner Street and my mind was blown by the stacks and piles. But if you asked Geoff, he would say “we should have two copies “, and then head off to the pile where those titles could be found. Sorry to hear that he passed away, but seeing he was a mega book lover, he must be headed to a good place”.
• James Ball: "We will all remember a tower of a mind amid a tower of books."