The material contained in this collection is connected to the painting titled "Cromwell Refuses the Crown of England" by T.H. Maguire, and to the life of Oliver Cromwell more generally. T.H. (Thomas Herbert) Maguire (1821 - 1895) was a London painter and lithographer specializing in portraits and genre scenes. The painting "Cromwell Refuses the Crown of England" depicts a scene of a parliament gathering with Oliver Cromwell at the center of the composition.

The collection predominantly consists of detail drawings (which may or may not be by Maguire) of objects represented in the finished painting and include ornamental vessels and containers, a pair of scissors, and a helmet (that may or may not be related to the painting). Other items include a sepia photo of the painting, passes for public viewing of the painting, a pamphlet that was likely given to the public at the viewing events, a copy of Oliver Cromwell’s letter addressed to Colonel Phayr, and a manuscript listing items for an exhibit of Cromwell’s electrotyped casts.