The microfilm edition will be composed of three series. The first, the Chronological Series, includes correspondence, speeches, topical writings, and other papers by, to, or concerning Lew Wallace and Susan Arnold Elston Wallace. The second series will be devoted to Literary Works, and will reproduce some 20 intact manuscripts including that for Wallace's autobiography, draft and printer's copies of Ben-Hur, several versions of The Fair God, as well as other prose and poetry by Lew Wallace and Susan Wallace. The third, and smallest, series comprehends visual documents, including original art and designs, drawings and sketches, and photographs taken by and of the Wallaces.

The project has received the official endorsement of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (National Archives and Records Administration). The IHS is now conducting searches for manuscript and period printed documents written by, to, or concerning the Wallaces. The IHS would be grateful for brief information concerning any Wallace items in public or private collections, and for guidance in requesting photocopies of such material. If you have such material, or would like more information on the project, contact the IHS Press.