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 35 mm. slides taken by Kaplan of opera performances and rehearsals by 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 ca. 1950 to ca. 1996, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1975-1985. The collection has been retained in the order in which it was received from Mr. Kaplan and, 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 and an oversize/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 oversize 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 the phrase "H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection."
