In the annals of antiquarian bookselling, bibliography, and cataloguing the name David Magee looms large indeed. During his half-century as an antiquarian bookseller in San Francisco he averaged slightly more than one subject catalogue of offerings annually; many of these catalogues are used as references and as models by book dealers, collectors, and librarians. As an antiquarian bookseller Magee specialized in early printing, modern presses, first editions, Western Americana, and Victorian literature. He was also a successful novelist, editor, book scout, and publisher. His autobiography, Infinite Riches: The Adventures of a Rare Book Dealer (1973) is a standard work in antiquarian literature.

Born in Yorkshire, England, on 18 June 1905, David Bickersteth Magee was the fifth child of a vicar, Arthur Victor Magee, who later brought his family to his large parish, St. Marks, in St. John's Wood in northwest London. Magee's grandfather William Connor Magee, archbishop of York, is described...