The People's World Photograph Collection consists of approximately 6,000 photographs used in People's World, a grassroots publication affiliated with the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). The photographs, along with a small selection of artwork, highlight social and political issues and events of the 20th century, with the views of the newspaper aligning with the CPUSA's policies on local and global topics of importance such as civil rights, labor, immigration, the peace movement, poverty, and unemployment. The photographs, the bulk of which span the years 1930 to 1990, comprise predominantly black and white prints gathered from a variety of sources including government agencies, photographic studios, individual photographers, stock image companies, and news agencies, while the graphic images comprise cartoons and drawings, the bulk of which were created by People's World artist Pele deLappe. Photographers represented in the collection include Allen Zak, Judy Shattuck, Jerome Magid, Sam Kushner, Nari Osei, Cathy Cade, Lou Dematteis, Douglas Wachter, Stephen Shames, Steve Murdoch, Kim Corsaro, Earl Dotter, Glen Pearcy, and Jose Alvear.

Series 1, Subjects, contains photographs related to topics frequently covered in People's World articles and opinion pieces. These include communist movements in places such as Cuba, China, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR); political groups, labor organizations, and committees including the CPUSA, the Independent Progressive Party (IPP), House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), the Black Panther Party, The National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR), the International Warehouse & Longshore Union (ILWU), the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), and many other local and global issues of significance to the CPUSA and the American Left.

Series 2, Individuals, features individual and group shots of politicians, world leaders, writers, actors, civil rights activists, refugees, elected officials, labor union members and leaders, as well as people in the workplace.

Series 3, Arts and Entertainment, consists of photographs used by People's World in reviews of the arts and entertainment scene in the Bay Area. The bulk comprises images of various artists, musicians, and actors, and includes publicity stills from films, performances, art exhibitions, and Public Broadcasting Service television shows.

Series 4, Cartoons, Artwork, and Graphics, contains original cartoons by Pele deLappe that satirize politicians and current events. Also includes artwork, text, and images used in the graphic design of People's World.

Series 5, People's World Staff, comprises group and individual shots of staff at work, the bulk of which span the years 1940 to 1960. The photographs show varying aspects of newspaper production, including typesetting, printing processes, mailings, subscription drives, and editorial work.

Series 6, Negatives and Contact Prints, contains copy negatives of selected prints from Series 1, Subject Files, and Series 2, Individuals.