Two isostructural helical coordination polymers, {[Cu(dps)2(Hssa)-(H2O)2]'3H2O}n (1) and {[Mn(dps)2(Hssa)(H2O)2]'2H2O}n (2), have been synthesized by the solvothermal reaction of dps and Hsssa with CuCI2 or Mn(CH3COO)2 (dps = 4,4'-dipyridylsulfide, H3ssa -- 5- sulfosalicylic acid). Both compounds crystallize in monoclinic, space group P21/n. In either complex, the central metal ion (Cu11 for compound 1 and MnIt for compound 2) is surrounded by one Hssa2- ligand, two coordinated aquas and three dps molecules with a N303 donor set in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Half of the dps is monodentate and another half acts as μ2-bridging ligands. It is through the bridging function of dps that the neighbouring metal centers are connected and a one-dimensional helical structure of compound 1 or 2 forms. Fluorescence studies indicate that compounds 1 and 2 have blue emission bands centered at 403 and 405 nm, respectively.