Spanning the years circa 1914-73, the collection contains many of the works of Collins from the various stages of his career, and portrays the styles and techniques he developed in his illustrations and paintings. The papers give an insight not only into the man, but also of the place of the artist in the Depression, and (through his patriotic illustrations) World War II, two of the major events of his lifetime. The collections are valuable both to the art historian and the historical researcher. The collection consists of: Correspondence, Scripts, Sketchbooks, Scrapbooks, Sketches, Paintings, Comic Strips, Historical Illustrations, Illustrations, Publications, Photographs, Overlays, Miscellaneous, Clippings.

Some 63 portraits, landscapes, drawings and other work were transferred from this collection to the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. Other examples of Collins' work may be found in private hands or at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. An oral history from Teresa Collins (Mrs. Kreigh Collins) was recorded in the Winter of 2003/2004, and is attached to this collection.