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04-16-2013, 12:24 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: California
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EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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?
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04-16-2013, 08:06 AM | #2 |
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Location: Toms River N.J.
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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.
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04-16-2013, 09:19 AM | #3 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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 |
04-16-2013, 10:42 AM | #4 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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 |
04-16-2013, 12:05 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: California
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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.
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04-17-2013, 08:54 AM | #6 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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04-24-2013, 09:53 PM | #7 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
They were basically a home made plate with assigned numbers. Because they were home made I think the value is not significant !
Al |
04-25-2013, 08:42 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MN.
Posts: 253
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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.
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04-25-2013, 09:22 AM | #9 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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 |
04-25-2013, 10:39 AM | #10 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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 |
04-25-2013, 10:59 AM | #11 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
I certainly understand what you are saying and can also appreciate your point of view.
Al |
04-25-2013, 06:57 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Toms River N.J.
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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.
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04-26-2013, 09:22 PM | #13 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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 |
04-26-2013, 09:45 PM | #14 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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 |
04-27-2013, 12:36 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Long Island, New York
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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. Last edited by Koby; 04-27-2013 at 12:37 PM. Reason: Spelling Error |
05-16-2013, 09:18 PM | #16 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
A similar one is for sale right now (May 16th) on the internet by a very knowledgable license plate collector at $325.00.
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05-17-2013, 05:22 AM | #17 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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 |
05-17-2013, 11:27 AM | #18 |
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Re: EARLY..... California plate...any ideas?
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.
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