Consists of nine diaries and loose diary pages, as well as a letter, written by George Catlin while traveling primarily through Europe. Catlin, a New York attorney, toured Europe between 1835 and 1836 and wrote extensively about his experinces abroad in his diaries.

Catlin began his trip in New York City where he boarded the ship Formosa on June 23, 1835 with his travelling companion Dr. L. C. Ferris. The ship sailed to Havre, France, where Catlin visited an old friend and school mate by the name of C. Norwood who was living in France. From there, Catlin details stops in Paris, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. The loose pages, which appear to be, in part, leaves from the diaries also describe travel in France and Italy, as well as Scotland.

There is one four page letter included in the collection, which Catlin wrote to his mother. The letter appears to be written from Moscow, Russia and in it Catlin recounts the journey he made from St. Petersburg. Another two page letter from an unidentified correspondent is also included.