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H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 1986-001

The H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection contains correspondence, publicity photographs, photographs taken by Kaplan, programs, various arts publications, autographs, and miscellaneous items such as ticket stubs and clippings. There are more than 1,000 color 35mm slides taken by Kaplan of opera performances and rehearsals by the Houston Grand Opera. Additional oversized collages, posters, showcards, and artwork, along with several framed items, are housed separately. A large part of the collection is signed, and many items are personally inscribed to H. David Kaplan. The materials are dated from approximately 1950 to 1996, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1975 to 1985.

The collection has been retained in the order in which it was received from Mr. Kaplan with some modifications; it has been divided into several series. The series are arranged in the different areas of the arts in which Mr. Kaplan was involved or interested, along with an oversized/framed series which includes every aspect of the arts. Each series may be subdivided into 1-5 subsections including: correspondence, photographs, programs/publications, autographs, and miscellaneous. For ease of storage, the oversized and framed portions of this collection have been placed together in a series and shelved separately.

Correspondence has been separated and is organized alphabetically by the last name of the correspondent. Copies of H. David Kaplan's letters to individual correspondents are filed with their replies. In publicity photographs, the production, if known, has been noted on the reverse side in pencil.

Bound volumes of Performing Arts Magazine, Houston Arts Magazine, Tonight, and Houston on Stage donated by Mr. Kaplan have been incorporated into the library's holdings.   These may be found by searching the UH Libraries' catalog by journal title or by author, using the phrase "H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection."

Dates

  • 1940-1996

Creator

Conditions Governing Access:

Open for research.

Conditions Governing Use:

Special Collections owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections material in print or electronic form. For more information, consult the appropriate librarian. Reproduction decisions will be made by Special Collections staff on a case-by-case basis.

Extent

8.00 linear feet

Biographical Information:

H. David Kaplan was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 13, 1934. In 1956, he received a BA in journalism from the University of Michigan. Kaplan worked for newspapers, magazines, and corporate communications while also functioning as a patron of and volunteer to the arts throughout the United States.

Kaplan's longstanding interest in the performing and fine arts was established by his parents, and was further entrenched when he lived in New York City. Another influence on his interest in the arts was his uncle, Al Kaplan, who performed in vaudeville throughout the world from 1920 to 1947.

Kaplan has provided many years of service to the arts through his involvement with the Houston Grand Opera, in his former role as Associate Publisher for Houston's Performing Arts Magazine, and in his ongoing role as an instructor in Enjoying Opera and American Opera continuing education classes in Federal Way, Washington. He has also enhanced the arts collections of several libraries, donating this collection to the University of Houston, as well as portions of the Hoblitzelle Theatre Collection to the University of Texas at Austin and a 48-volume collection of New York City theatre playbills and programs to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections. He continues his enthusiastic patronage of the arts, and routinely donates New York theater programs to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Separated Materials:

Bound volumes of Performing Arts Magazine, Houston Arts Magazine, Tonight, and Houston on Stage donated by Mr. Kaplan have been incorporated into the library's holdings.   These may be found by searching the UH Libraries' catalog by journal title or by author, using the phrase "H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection."

General

Other Information:

Uploaded to TARO, 2007.

Processing Information:

Processed by K. Fox, April 1999, Edward Lukasek, 2005, LaTasha N. Cormier, 2005-2006 and Rebecca Russell, 2007.

Title
Guide to the H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University of Houston Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of Houston Libraries Special Collections
MD Anderson Library
4333 University Drive
Houston TX 77204-2000 USA
713-743-9750