The collection comprises two albums, primarily containing black and white photographs. The first documents the steel frame construction of the Bank of England in the City of London, which was rebuilt between 1920 and 1930. The photographs depict views of the steel frame, curved trusses and entrance girders on Princes Street, welding, welded connections, and finished work. The album also contains newspaper cuttings relating to the rebuilding of the bank (1930-1932), and a typescript lecture about the rebuilding of the bank giving reference to photographs (c. 1951). There are also two items of copy correspondence dated September 1951, one sent by C.J. Willey to J. Cotton, chairman of Serck Foremans Group, and one sent by Cotton to Willey.
The second album contains photographs and newspaper cuttings relating to other buildings constructed by Colville's in the late 1920s and early 1930s. These include premises for Barclay's Bank in Cape Town, South Africa, and in Gracechurch Street, City of London; the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in Leadenhall Street, City of London, and in Manchester; the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in Gower Street, London; the Royal Bank of Canada at 6 Lothbury, City of London; the Middlesex Hospital, London; Phoenix Assurance, City of London; and Woolwich Borough Council. Other buildings featured include Croydon Aerodrome Hotel; the Dugdale Printing Works; Stone House at 84 Houndsditch, London; and Ninth Church of Christ Scientist in Marsham Street, Westminster. The photographs focus on aspects of the steel framework of these buildings.