Frank Alvah Parsons (1866-1930) began as an instructor at the New York School of Art in 1904. He became director in 1911, renaming the school the New York School of Fine and Applied Art to reflect his reorientation of the institution toward practical design disciplines. The school was later renamed to honor his leadership. The collection consists of published editions of Parsons' lectures, and prints he used to illustrate them.

Canadian elementary school teacher Roy F. Fleming (1878-1958) produced the notebook and drawing in this collection while attending the New York School of Art (later, Parsons School of Design) between 1902 and 1907. Fleming's notes include sketches illustrating lectures by Frank Alvah Parsons, William Merritt Chase, and Robert Henri. The collection also includes a photograph of Fleming, his diploma, and a color chart created for art instruction.