The papers consist largely of research material compiled by Wannan during his career as a folklorist, columnist, editor, writer and anthologist. They comprise correspondence, publications, cuttings, photocopies of articles, notes and notebooks, scrapbooks, pictorial material and a comprehensive selection of Wannan's own publications. A large part of the correspondence scattered throughout the collection is from readers of his Australasian Post column, 'Come in Spinner' (1955-1980).