EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?

[RustyA]

A buddy found this plate in his grandpa's barn....For real!.....Any idea's on the year. I'm thinking 1906? Say's something on bottom of plate but I'm afraid to rub it. (something co. S.F.) Any idea's? Year? Value?

[CharlieB]

It's earlier than say '16/'17. (If it's actually a lic. plate). I've seen them from that year and the numbers are quite different. They usually look more like lic. plate #'s do today. Also CAL. was usually straight up & down not angled and either on the other side of the plate or across the bottom.

[tmodelman]

Appears to be a 'pre-state' CA plate, made by auto club or other org, before state made plates began in 1913

Here is a link to CA pre-state plates with one that looks like yours.

http://usplates.com/index.php?oldPlates=1&year=1907

[mot]

its between 1907 and 1908 i dont have the cut off number right now
seems like you were assigned a number by the state
then it was up to you to get those number on a plate
i have seen them on leather,wood ,screen,and painted
im by no means an authority on these
but have been told you could buy the numbers at the hardare and place them on a background
ive also seen the numbers for sale on line
here are two i have
the 95795 is a 1912 plate
it differs from the one shown on the earlier post,as mine only has one CAL
the other is a 1917 dealer plate in porcelian

[RustyA]

Thanks guys! I also got a link from another friend and it looks like it's a "1907"....What a find! Wish the rest of the car was with it even though it wasn't a Ford.

[barnstuf]

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California required motorists to register their cars in 1905, but did not issue license plates until 1914. The span of 9 years when numbers were assigned and plates not issued was a period in which motorists used a variety of styles to display their number, with some manufactured plates being available to be made up on request, or just homemade on leather, wood, or other materials.. The Automobile Club of Southern California did proved a porcelain plate made up with the motorists assigned number for a fee.

[luckyal]

They were basically a home made plate with assigned numbers. Because they were home made I think the value is not significant !
Al

[t42]

Some collectors might pay high bucks for a "homemade" plate like this. It is just another example of the early automotive history from over a hundred years ago. Based on how rare these plates have become, and if you are going to sell it, try the AACA and HCCA "for sale" areas. Very nice find. Good luck.

[luckyal]

I am certainly of a different opinion ! There is no way to verify if it is even a plate ! Why would a collector buy something that has no way of proving it is authentic ?
Al

[t42]

Al,
If there are like examples or pictures from the era or years involved we can assume some correctness. LeatherLicensePlates.com has a very extensive spread for all States prior to the issuing of porcelain license plates. A Calif. plate like this one is shown. All States had different designs, but the attempt to register autos was just starting. Collectors are tough to figure out. They may not own a vehicle, but they might want a leather plate or brass 5-ball carb for their mantle and price may not be a factor. How many auctions have you been to where an item went for ten times what you thought it was worth? I am just saying that I have seen similar examples from other States sell for hundreds of dollars. Would I pay that? No. JMHO

[luckyal]

I certainly understand what you are saying and can also appreciate your point of view.
Al

[CharlieB]

It appears to be a stamped metal plate. It also has the mounting holes in their proper position for the wider old style plates but those numbers! They throw me. If collectors can identify it the plate will certainly have some value.

[early guy]

I tell you what Luckyal (or RustyA) I'd be happy to pay $150 for this plate (or any of the same style). I'll take as many as you can find.
Chris

[luckyal]

Heh Rusty A Grab this guy quick before he realizes what he said or sobers up. If I were you I would even pay the shipping.
Al

[Koby]

What you have there is a pre-state California License Plate. It is hard to place an exact date on your item for the reason that California drivers were required to obtain their own plates for vehicles from 1905- the end of 1913. In 1914 an official California plate was issued by the state.

When the state told motorists to go out and get a plate made for their vehicle they were issued a number and told to go figure it out. Many went to local blacksmiths, or leather shops. Some even made them in their own homes. There were few true guidelines, which is why there are many variations of pre state plates. The only requirement was that the letters CAL had to appear on the plate. Some motorists even chose to paint their registration number on the front of their car.

From what I have seen this looks to be an early 1913 example. As far as value goes, as with most things it is based on rarety and condition. California is a state that had many pre states license plates issued in comparison with others. They had over 125,000 registration numbers issued. The neat thing about California is that there are so many different variations of pre states. The only reason I said 1913 was because your plate was a popular style in that year.

I would be interested in possibly purchasing this plate as I do collect them if you're interested in selling it.

[barnstuf]

A similar one is for sale right now (May 16th) on the internet by a very knowledgable license plate collector at $325.00.

[luckyal]

I never want to know asking price as that establishes nothing. You can ask whatever you want. How much did it sell for is the true test of value and a one time sale is not conclusive.
Al

[Willie in Houston]

Texas also assigned a number to each car and it was the owners obligation to get a plate with those numbers on it. Lots of materials were used to make the plates including porcelain. In 1923, Texas started to issue their own plates with many changes as the years went by.