In his endeavor to build and improve the condition of the Academy's collection of minerals, Gordon concentrated on the local scene, encouraging amateur groups to participate. Later, he wanted to increase the Vaux collection, so studied the possible collecting localities in the world where good material could be found to round out the Academy's holdings. His projected expeditions were planned for years ahead, each season finding him initiating something new.

His five major trips for the Vaux collections are: (1) To the Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Chile, 1921 (2) Julianehaab District of Greenland, 1923 (3) To Bolivia and Chile again, 1925 (4) To the Bolivian Andes and across to Africa, where he worked in the Belgian Congo and in the Transvaal (5) Atacama Desert of northern Chile. These have been referred to collectively as the Vaux Expeditions.

Many minor trips were made, this manuscript collection including notes and general information about several, and containing letters, lists of specimens, cost estimates, arrangements and accounts.