Series I: Articles, 1938, 1948, 1953

The Robert S. Ball Aviation Collection consists of magazine articles, books, correspondence, and miscellaneous items from the news reporting career of Robert S. Ball, aviation editor for the Detroit News from 1954 to his death in 1961. The collection was accessioned into Special Collections and Archives on January 30, 1991. It was donated by James E. Lacey, nephew of Robert Ball, on behalf of his aunt, Marion S. Rau (Marion Ball). The collection covers the years 1911 to 1982 and includes Ball's draft of an article on Charles Taylor, mechanic for the Wright Brothers, as well as an autographed copy of a photograph of Amelia Earhart.

Series I, Articles, consists of four items, three of which are articles written by Robert Ball about aviation subjects. The fourth article was written by Lauren D. Lyman about Charles Lindbergh.

Series II, Miscellaneous, consists of a variety of items. The series contains a signed photograph of Amelia Earhart and a piece of fabric from the aeroplane that made the first transcontinental flight in 1911. The series also contains a letter from the Smithsonian Institution to Mrs. Marion Rau (Marion Ball) returning the materials in this collection to Mrs. Rau and recommending they be donated to Wright State University's Special Collections and Archives. Finally, the last file contains newspaper clippings reporting the death of Robert Ball.