I saw a display of old Massachusetts porcelain plates in the window of an insurance office when I was a boy. There was just something about them. From then on I was an avid collector. I trolled flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, junk yards, antique stores--anywhere--looking for old plates. My collection grew as I grew. Many of these plates have been in my collection for over forty years.
My favorite plates are the pre-1920s. Motoring was the hobby of the rich at the turn of the century so when states began issuing license plates, they were usually ornate and colorful to compliment the elegant tastes of motor enthusiasts. Most were porcelain enameled. The first state to issue an official license plate was Massachusetts in 1903. Soon the other New England states were issuing plates, as well. These plates were meant to be permanent; however, within a few years they ran out of number space so annual registrations were introduced. Pennsylvania was the first state to issue an annual plate (1906). Some states experimented with materials other than porcelain. For example, the first New Jersey plate (1908) was a metal 'kit' style plate and the first New York plate (1910) used numbers riveted on a flat metal plate. Wisconsin also used a flat metal plates and rivets until 1914. New York, New Hampshire and Iowa were among the first states to experiment with embossed metal plates (1911 and 1912). Minnesota also experimented with an embossed aluminum three-year plate (1912-13-14). By the late teens most states began issuing less-expensive 'flats'. These plates used the same silk screening process as the porcelains but didn't require the extra step of baking. By 1924 the era of porcelain was finally over. Every state then issued fast and easy to produce embossed metal and rolled pain style plates to keep up with the growing number of Model Ts and other inexpensive autos that were hitting the roads.
I love the bright colors and graphic styles of the 1920s. This was an exciting era in motoring. The states really seemed to care about how nice their plates looked.
The '30s were another colorful era. My favorite plates from this era are the copper ones from Arizona (1932, 33 &34).
I love plates from the 1940s. This is a unique period in license plates. Many states had to cope with metal shortages during WWII so they used fiberboard or other non-metal products. Windshield stickers and metal tabs were also introduced in this era. Graphic stickers made their first appearance as well.
Hope you enjoyed my collection. Please feel free to contact me at moojhead@gmail.com for questions or comments. APLCA #6277. Happy Collecting!!