Numbers 1-55 comprise letters from artists (mainly) and patrons to Charles J. Pooley, Chairman of the Exhibition Committee, Manchester Art Gallery, respecting purchases of paintings and their hanging and exhibition. Included are letters from:
- Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896), painter, 1886-1892 (10 items);
- John William North (1842-1924), illustrator and watercolour painter, 1894-1895 (8);
- William Holman Hunt (1827-1910), painter, 1888-1890 (5);
- Frank Dicksee (1853-1928), painter and illustrator, 1886-1888 (2);
- Sir Luke Fildes (1843-1927), painter, 1888-1890 (2);
- Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1896), painter, 1895 (1).
- Number 56: typescript article by C.J. Pooley respecting Stanhope Forbes' The Lighthouse;
- Number 57: an imperfect letter from C.J. Pooley;
- Number 58: letter from Samuel Cousins (1801-1877), engraver, to William Agnew (1877);
- Numbers 59-60: two letters from Sir John Everett Millais to Mrs Reiss (1877 and 1886).