The collection measures .05 cubic feet. The majority of the collection is made up of 12 letters. The letters vary in size from 41/4” x 71/2” to 87/16” x 13”. Most of the letters, however, are written on paper measuring 81/2” x 11”. Most of the letters have been folded multiple times, and there is some tearing on the fold lines. The letters are otherwise in good condition, though delicate. One letter written on very thin paper is especially delicate and has therefore been reinforced with barrier paper.

The handwriting is generally easy to make out, and the ink is not faded. However, the grammar and syntax Royer uses make the meaning of some sentences difficult to decipher. Most of the letters take up more than one page of writing. Some are written on the front and back of one page, while others use multiple pieces of paper. About half of the letters come with envelopes, which have been clipped to their respective letters. Many of the envelopes feature drawings of a clown’s face, with some variation of the phrase “Archie Royer Old Time Circus Clown” written below. Some envelopes have been saved that are without letters. For example, two envelopes with 1943 postmarks have been attached to the back of a letter fragment. It is not clear if the letter fragment belongs with either of the envelopes attached to it. There is also an envelope with a November 1945 postmark that does not belong with any of the letters in the collection. This envelope bears a drawing of a clown face with the words “From Archie Royer Oldest Living Talking Clown” written beneath. Most of the letters are dated, although some are not. Those without dates, however, have been easily placed chronologically based on the letter’s contents (see inventory below).

Apart from the letters this collection contains two pages of poems that Royer apparently composed himself. They focus heavily on Royer’s friendship with Cole. One page is attached to what was evidently a page of a scrapbook. It features a drawing of a clown face with “Royer” written on the clown’s collar. The second page of poems is recorded on simple lined paper. The first poem on the page is titled “As Life Goes On” and the second is “Cleanse.” The final piece in the collection is a drawing of a man holding a large ring in front of him. The back of the page contains blue handwriting in Spanish. The connection between this piece and the rest of the collection is unclear.