The collection consists chiefly of correspondence between American author Kathleen Tankersley Young and the New York book designer and printer Lew Ney and his wife, Ruth Widen -- original letters (holograph and typewritten) by Young, carbon copies of answers to Young's letters by Ney and Widen. The letters provide an intimate portrait of Young's private life and her marriage to David Jerome Ellinger, and of some of the literary and artistic figures of the Harlem Renaissance. They also shed light on the social mores of the United States during that time period. Young frequently refers to her friends and business partners Charles Henri Ford and Harrison Parker Tyler, as well as to her circle of literary friends, which included Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein. There are some letters discussing business matters, including a book project which Young initially intended Ney to publish for her, and money she owed Ney and Widen.

Also included is a typescript of a "Diary. Edward Lennon" (six leaves) which was written for Kathleen Young and Charles Henri Ford by an unidentified author. In addition, there are pencil drawings of different women with captions in French, in an unknown hand; a printed invitation to Young's wedding to David Jerome Ellinger; and a prospectus of the Modern Edition Press announcing the publishing of new pamphlets.