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Kaplan (Allan) and Robert Kaplan political memorabilia collection
6119
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Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Allan Kaplan and Robert Kaplan political memorabilia collection
creator:
Kaplan, Robert
creator:
Kaplan, Allan
Identifier/Call Number: 6119
Physical Description:
11 Linear Feet
(8 containers)
Date (inclusive): 1960s-2000s
Abstract: The Allan Kaplan and Robert Kaplan political memorabilia collection consists of posters, ephemera, and realia documenting
national and local political and campaigns. The bulk of the material dates from the late 1960s-early 1970s and documents the
brothers' earliest political activism. The collection also includes later campaigns (from the 2000s) on which Robert was
involved professionally.
Allan Kaplan first became interested in politics while volunteering for Democrat Dave Negri's campaign for California State
Assembly, where he stuffed envelopes and went on "sniping" runs late at night putting up half and quarter cards on telephone
and lamp poles. According to his brother Robert, "He 'dragged' me to the campaign office and I was put on the telephones
to ask for votes, did some literature distribution, and in the era when you could drive around in a car with a speaker on
top announcing who to vote for, etc., I was the kid on the microphone."
For a time, Allan was California's youngest Young Democrat.
Allan and Robert were pictured in the news (the Valley Green Sheet, now called the Los Angeles Daily News) attending an anti-war
rally at Valley State (now California State University Northridge - CSUN) skipping school (with a note from our parents) where
Phil Ochs played.
At 13, Allan and 11 year old Robert walked precincts for Clean Gene McCarthy. Somewhere in here, Allan was involved with
Ed Koupal soon after he and his wife Joyce founded "People's Lobby" as they pursued their political reform initiatives.
Allan was the youth campaign manager for Tom Bradley's Pacoima office (covering the East San Fernando Valley) during his unsuccessful
1969 run for Mayor. He then, while in high school, worked for Councilman Bradley forming a city-wide Youth Corps in 1970-71.
According to Robert, "After being dragged (again) by my brother, I 'volunteered,' walking precincts, making voter ID, fundraising
and GOTV calls, and as usual was the kid on the loudspeaker in the car driving around the city. After this 'volunteer' experience
I was hooked and eventually built a career as a result of my brother dragging me along to get me out of sitting in front of
the TV. Allan's involvement with Mayor Bradley resulted in a life-long relationship for both him and me."
Allan took six months off from his freshman year at the University of California at Santa Cruz to co-manage the youth campaign
for Tom Bradley's successful run for Mayor in 1973, and later worked in the Mayor's office on special projects. Allan has
remained involved politically over the years through AIPAC and other activities while building a successful career in Finance
and Mergers and Acquisitions.
After completing a CORO Foundation Fellowship, Robert built a career in politics. He has had the privilege of being the Finance
Director of more than 30 statewide initiatives and many local initiatives across the country and abroad, developed several
hundred PAC programs, worked with dozens of non-profits, and has been the lead strategist and consultant on numerous local
candidate campaigns.
The Allan Kaplan and Robert Kaplan political memorabilia collection consists of posters, ephemera, and realia documenting
national and local political and campaigns. The bulk of the material dates from the late 1960s-early 1970s and documents the
brothers' earliest political activism. The collection also includes later campaigns (from the 2000s) on which Robert was
involved professionally.
Given the homogeneity of the collection, it is arranged and described by format.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[Box/folder no. or item name], Allan Kaplan and Robert Kaplan political memorabilia collection, Collection no. 6119, Special
Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Kaplan family, May 17, 2016.
The collection is unprocessed.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- Archival resources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Politics and government -- 20th century -- Archival resources
United States -- History -- Archival resources
United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Ephemera
Realia
Sound recordings
Videocassettes