The collection consists of material created and accumulated by James Lord in the course of his activities as an art critic and writer, and includes drafts of writings, research material, correspondence, photographs, and audiovisual recordings. Correspondence (Series I) is both personal and professional, and relates chiefly to the artistic and literary world of mid- and late-twentieth-century Paris. Writings (Series II) include Lord's extensive research files, drafts, and primary sources for Giacometti: A Biography. Drafts and correspondence relating to Lord's memoirs, including his letters from his mother that he used as source material for Six Exceptional Women: Further Memoirs (1994), are also filed in the Writings series. Visual Material (Series III) includes photographs of Pablo Picasso by Lord and an unidentified photographer, and photographs of Lord in the 1950s and 1960s, including portraits by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Series III also includes drawings by Jean Cocteau and others. Audiovisual recordings (Series IV) relate chiefly to Lord's research on Alberto Giacometti and include interviews and lectures. Personal Papers (Series V) consist of Lord's 1960 passport and fragmentary portions of his journals. Printed Material (Series VI) consists chiefly of clippings and magazine articles related to Lord and his research. A small amount of printed ephemera is also filed in Series VI.