The Moor autograph collection is largely comprised of autographed letters, but also includes passports, invitations, book orders, and a sermon. The collection was presented to the University by Professor Sir Henry Cohen in 1954, and is part of the autograph collection formed by Canon Allen Page Moor (bap. 1824-1904). The letters in the collection originate mainly from men of the church and individuals from the fields of Orientalism, Indology, and Philology.

Canon Moor's ecclesiastical career accounts for many of the letters. Many being from leading figures in the church, addressed to him or letters obtained through clerical friends. Correspondents include, John Erskine Clarke, Honorary Chaplain to Queen Victoria and Charles Thomas Longley, archbishop of Canterbury. The large number of letters from orientalists addressed to Dr Reinhold Rost (1822-1896), secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society and librarian of the India Office, are accounted for by the appointment as oriental lecturer at St Augustine's College which Rost held from 1851 until his death.

Other letters have been collected by Moor through his family connections. There are numerous letters within the collection addressed to Moor's father-in-law, the Reverend Cecil Wray, perpetual curate of St Martin's, Liverpool, 1836-1875. In addition, Moor's cousin William Page Wood (1801-1881), was an eminent lawyer and Liberal MP for Oxford. He became a Chancery judge in 1853, before being appointed Lord Chancellor in 1868, and created Baron Hatherley. Letters from this connection include, the British Prime Minister, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne. As the letters from Mrs Burney and F. Naylor indicate, Canon Moor not only acquired his specimens through friends and family members, but also by exchange, purchase and gift.