The collection includes correspondence, mostly to Professor Robert and Mrs. Helmle from their son, Robert, while Robert served in the American Expeditionary Forces in France and Germany during World War I.
Most of the collection consists of correspondence, postcards, photo cards, and photographs, sent to Professor and Mrs. Helmle from Robert. Robert’s letters mostly date from when he was in Europe. His letters from Berlin (Germany) vividly describe the unemployment and inflation there. Additional correspondence is from other friends and relatives.