This massive 476-page, full-color compendium showcases over 300 American editions of the beloved Authors Card Game, spanning from 1861 to the present. Also included are selections of poems, passages, and memorable quotes from forty influential 18th- and 19th-century authors featured in this classic game. Carefully curated from the private collection of Stuart R. Kaplan, this volume is both a visual archive and a celebration of literary history.
The book is organized into five sections, beginning with Dr. Busby card games dating back to 1843, followed by four distinctive editions of the original 1861 Authors Card Game. Readers can enjoy selected writings from notable 19th-century authors before exploring the main gallery of card fronts and backs, portraits, and charming vintage box covers. The final sections highlight rare Authors Card Games from foreign-language publishers and other card games inspired by the classic Authors format.
Key Features:
476-Page Extensive Visual Archive: Features full-color reproductions of more than 300 editions of the Authors Card Game from 1861 to modern day; copious number of photographs make the book a visual treatHistorical Context: Includes early Dr. Busby card games (1843) and multiple versions of the original 1861 Authors release; examines advances in design and manufacture within the industry throughout its long history of productionLiterary Masterwork: A compilation not only of the games themselves, but of each of the authors represented; showcases poems, excerpts, and memorable quotes from forty 18th- and 19th-century authorsAcclaimed Authors: Features such beloved writers as Dickens, Shakespeare and Twain as well as lesser known but popular authorsGold Foil-Accented Collector's Treasure: High-quality reproduction of rare cards, boxes, and portraits from a private collection never before published together; attractive hardcover book embellished with luxurious gold foil accentsPerfect for card game enthusiasts, literary history lovers, researchers, libraries, and collectors eager to explore the fascinating intersection of games and literature.