The library of David Steuart, auctioned in Edinburgh in 1801, was described as "the most uncommon, and certainly the most valuable private library ever brought to the hammer on this side the Tweed." Admittedly it was Cornelius Elliot, the auctioneer, who thus characterized it, but Steuart's collection of early Mainz printing, which included a copy of the Gutenberg or 42-line Bible (Mainz: ca. 1455)--the first that is known for certain to have reached Scotland--is probably itself sufficient justification for his statement. Seymour de Ricci's 1911 Catalogue raisonné des premières impressions de Mayence (1445-1467) shows that Steuart owned more Mainz editions than any other Scottish collector. His patronage of the great Italian printer from Parma, Giambattista Bodoni, whose books were renowned for their fine typography, elegant bindings, and quality paper, further attests to Steuart's stature as a collector.

David Steuart was born in Perthshire, Scotland, 20 September 1747. He was...