The correspondence from 1928-1939 is wide ranging, concerning professional, personal and political matters. These include frequent references to membership and organisation of the International Psychoanalytical Association, including Congresses. There is also considerable correspondence regarding various national and local psychoanalytical societies, particularly groups in Holland, Germany, the USA (especially with regard to lay practitioners), South Africa and Scandinavia. Also discussed are the translation and publication of psychoanalytic texts, the 'exchange lectures' organised between London and Vienna in 1934/5 to address differences in theory and procedures for writing the Rundbriefe circular letters. Amongst all these discussions are frequent references to significant figures in psychoanalysis, including Sigmund Freud (particularly concerning his health), Karl Abraham, Max Eitingon, Sandor Ferenczi, AA Brill, Gregory Zilboorg, Johann van Ophuijsen, Wilhelm Reich, Felix Boehm and Carl Müller-Braunschweig.
Between 1933 and 1939, many letters discuss the political situation in Europe with the rise of Nazism and the implications for various analysts and groups. These include arrangements for the resulting emigration and resettlement of analysts, including the Freud family, from Germany and other affected states. Also discussed are the internment of Edith Jacobson in 1935 and a visit by John Rickman to Vienna in 1938 to help with emigration plans.
There is very little correspondence in the 1940s after the Freuds moved to London. There is one letter from 1942 from Jones regarding the work of Melanie Klein and one letter from Anna Freud in 1943 regarding Dr. Koch and psychoanalysis in Brazil. There are also three letters in 1945 regarding Jones' complaints over a memorial book for David Eder.
Correspondence in the 1950s is chiefly regarding Jones biography of Freud, for which Anna Freud provided information and feedback. Early letters in this period also refer to Jones’ radio and television appearances; later letters discuss celebrations for the centenary of Sigmund Freud's birth.
