Beatrice Glenlavy's collection of Orpen letters numbers forty-two separate pages. Some of the letters are double-sided, as noted on the Facsimile pages.

None of the letters are dated, nor is Glenlavy's letter of Provenance dated, although Glenlavy indicates the letters were likely written between 1910 and 1920. It is not known exactly when the University of Victoria archives purchased the letters.

The letters were written on papers of varying quality and size. Some were written on heavy graph paper, some on thin and fragile writing paper and some on heavy card stock. The largest pages are 11 x 14, with the majority being the standard letter size of 8 1/2 x 11. Many bear the letterhead of the Metropolitan School of Art or the address: 8, South Bolton Gardens, S.W.

The media in which the letters were created also varies: some of the letters are in pencil, some are in pen and ink, and some have water color washes. They are generally in very good condition, with a minor degree of creasing from when they were originally folded to be sent to Glenlavy. Only one page (OR-3) has a piece missing.