George Robert Minkoff

ALFORD - George Robert Minkoff, Rare Book Dealer and author.

George Robert Minkoff, rare book dealer and author, husband, and father, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024, at the age of 81. Born on February 9, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY, George graduated from Clark University in 1965. In the early 1973’s he moved with his wife and first child to Alford, Ma, where he ran a rare book business that initially specialized in illustrated first editions before gaining a focus on the sale of authors archives to cultural institutions. His distinguished list of clients included Leonard Bernstein, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Joan Didion, among many others.

The first volume of this three-volume historical novel, The Weight of Smoke, was published in 2006 with successive volumes following. Shortly after publication the trilogy was optioned for development into a television series by Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope Studios. He also wrote and published several books for children, as well as light comedies, and a Bibliograph of Harry Crosby’s Black Sun Press. In addition to his business and writing he was an active figure in the literacy world of New York City, serving on the board of The Poetry Society of America for three decades. He was a member of The Lotos Club, and an active supporter of the arts and other health and humanitarian organizations in the Berkshires. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and his two sons from his first marriage, Charles Minkoff and Kenan Minkoff, his sister Jane Hodes, stepdaughter, Wendy Spero and granddaughter, Penelope Elliston.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 10:00am at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St. Great Barrington, MA, conducted by Rabbi Barbara Cohen.

He led his life to the fullest.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of ones choice.