The card game Authors originated in Salem, Massachusetts in 1861, first published by G. M. Whipple and A.A. Smith. Parker Brothers published a version in 1897. The simple matching type game encourages players to learn which author wrote specific titles. The player with the most matched sets of titles by each author at the end of the game wins. Authors was a perennial family favorite game from its beginning and versions are still produced today. Over the years the game has broadened to include women authors, composers, explorers, inventors, and sports figures.
Game manufacturer J.H. Singer of New York produced this version of Authors. It features instructions printed on the box cover, as well as a portrait of Mark Twain.