Thesaurus of English Words So Classified and Arranged as to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition

Title: Thesaurus of English Words So Classified and Arranged as to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition

Author: Roget, Peter Mark and Barnas Sears (ed.)

Publication: Boston: Gould and Lincoln, 1854.

Description: First expurgated American edition of Roget's thesaurus, preceded only by the first edition printed in London (1852) and the first unexpurgated American edition (1853). In the preface to this edition, the editor Barnas Sears criticizes the unexpurgated edition, writing, "The greatest fault... is that of incorporating so many objectionable words and phrases, which ought never to meet the eye or tempt the tongue." Rebound in contemporary quarter brown sheep over marbled paper sides with gilt lettering to the spine and marbled endpapers. 468 pages (publisher's catalog wanting); 7.75 x 5 inches. Remnants of a contemporary library bookplate (No. 6 Memorial Library) on the front pastedown, binder's stamp on the front free endpaper (J.R. Wesby, Trenton, NJ), and loss to the rear pastedown where borrowers' card had been adhered. Binding moderately worn, especially at the extremities, with hinges split but holding; some leaves foxed. Very Good-.

References: Kennedy, A. A bibliography of writings on the English language from the beginning of printing to the end of 1922, 9784.