The collection consists of correspondence, writings, notebooks, photographs, artwork, objects, audiovisual materials, and electronic media the document the life and work of Ira Cohen. The papers include materials relating to other writers, artists, and groups including Ronnie Burk, Louise Landes-Levi, the Living Theatre, Gerard Malanga, Petra Vogt, Tom Weigel, various Beat generation writers, and others. Artwork includes mail art, paintings, drawings, screen prints, and posters. Objects include stamps, Cohen's typewriter, masks, and plaster and papier mache casts. Casts include life masks made by Cohen of friends including Allen Ginsberg and Julian Beck and a cast of William S. Burroughs' hand.