The Michael Aikey New York Imprints Research Files consists of material accumulated by Mr. Aikey over the course of his research on early New York State publishers, printers and printing history in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The collection consists of binders, indexes, subject files, and miscellaneous items; much of it is photocopied material or handwritten notes.

All items retain the titles or headings given by Aikey, where available. Titles supplied during processing for unlabeled items are enclosed in square brackets [ ].

Binders contain material originally in four binders of varying sizes and formats. Material has been removed from the binders but remains in original order. Much of this is photocopies of title pages of early printed books, printouts of catalog entries, and similar reference material.

Indexes and bibliographies consists of an index created by Aikey of names appearing in History of the Press in Western New-York from the Beginning to the Middle of the Nineteenth Century, by Frederick Follett (the full text of this book is available via Google Books), and a set of index cards which appear to be a working bibliography of early New York imprints, with titles and printers/publishers.

Subject files relate primarily to printers in Troy, New York, though some concerns New York generally. Much of this material is photocopied articles from newspapers, magazines, or books.

Miscellaneous items consist of an untitled folder of photocopies and a small photograph album with a printout from a website regarding the Matthews and Lee family genealogies; the first picture in the album is labeled "Samuel C. Dutton." There is also a box of twenty or so assorted manuscripts, business ephemera, and partially printed forms (e.g. indentures) pertaining to printing and publishing in upstate New York.