US $7.50
The History Of Number Plates
Number plates have become such an everyday part of all our lives, we rarely even think about them any more. The history of number plates is intrinsically bound up in the history of automobiles, and they have proved to be such an efficient way of governing road going vehicles that the system has been universally adopted (with obvious cultural variations) around the world.
Earliest beginnings
The first number plates were introduced into France in 1893, and were swiftly followed by Germany in 1896. The Netherlands was the first country to introduce what we would recognise as a national number plate. Then it was known as a ‘driving permit' and was introduced in 1898. The concept at this point was simplicity itself. The first Dutch number plate had the number ‘1' on it. By August 1899 the counter was up to 168. By the time the Netherlands decided to choose a different layout for their number plates in 1906, the counter had reached 2,001, charting just how quickly the popularity of the ‘automobile' was taking off.
The UK adopted the number plate system in 1904 as part of the implementation of the Motor Car Act 1903. Forward thinking politicians realised just how important the car was going to be to the economy of the world, and implemented legislation that required all motor vehicles to be listed on an official vehicle register and to display number plates.
The flurry of conformity spread across the Atlantic, with New York State being the first to adopt the number plate idea in 1901. Massachusetts and West Virginia were the first states to issue official number plates in 1903. Up until that point, plates were not government issued in most states and motorists had to make their own.
Number plates have been made out of a wide range of materials over the years. Initially, they were made out of porcelain baked onto iron, or were ceramic with no support backing. It was quickly realised that this design was impractical because the plates were extremely fragile and brittle. Very few of these very early number plates survive to this day. Manufacturers then experimented with a wide range of materials that included cardboard (which were fine as long as it didn't rain), leather and early plastics (which tended to be very brittle). During the war years, shortages forced manufacturers to improvise and number plates were made out of everything from copper to pressed soybeans.
Standardisation
Plate size and shape varied dramatically during the early years, which caused people problems. If they decided to move house to a different location, their new regional number plate wouldn't fit the original drill holes and consequently new holes had to be drilled into car bumpers to accommodate the different sized plates. Standard size number plates were finally introduced in 1957, when car manufacturers, governments and international standards organisations finally agreed on three universal sizes and shape for all number plates. With very few exceptions, the three sizes are still standard today, ranging from 20.5" x 4.5" in Europe to 12" x 6" in most of the Americas.
Within the UK there are currently two numbering and registration systems: one for Great Britain, administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and one for Northern Ireland, which is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Because of their social context and their connection with the history of probably one of the most important inventions in mankind's history, old number plates are avidly collected all over the world.
Best of France! - Zabar's Cheese Plate of the Week
|
|
Obernai Faienceries Sarreguemines France Salad Plate 8 Inch Corner Cottage $25.00 |
|
|
B.M. FRANCE OLD SMALL PORCELAIN PLATE , JAPANESE STYLE $49.00 |
|
|
Salins les bains Milanais 12 " chop plate France RARE $89.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE HAVILAND LIMOGES CFH/GDM PLATE ARTIST SIGNED HEAVY GOLD FRANCE $50.00 |
|
|
PLATE PORCELAIN LIMOGES - FRANCE - HALLMARKS / PLATO LIMOGES * SELLOS *****0,99£ $1.56 |
|
|
GUILLOT "Peint a la Main" COPRIN Plate FRANCE $39.00 |
|
|
L Bernardaud C Limoges France Floral plate decor porcelain vtg retro glassware $9.99 |
|
|
Antique St Clement Pottery Plate Paris 1600 Marchand Pierced Border France $9.99 |
|
|
Guillot Hand Painted in France Bird Plate $7.99 |
|
|
vtg HAND painted POTTERY dish FRANCE floral PLATE signed JACQUES clay PLATTER $25.99 |
|
|
PORCELAIN: LIMOGES, FRANCE DECORATIVE PLATE, ART. SGND. $125.00 |
|
|
Antique Pink Flowers Roses Majolica Plate ~ France Old $68.99 |
|
|
2 PAINTED PORCELAIN ARMORIAL PLATES,SWEETMEAT DISHES,by R.Bloch,Paris,France $289.00 |
|
|
HENRIOT QUIMPER FRANCE BRETON MAN PEASANT BLUE SALAD PLATE 8.25" $18.99 |
|
|
New Gien France Citron Lemon Yellow Black Appetizer Plate #1 $24.99 |
|
|
New Gien France Citron Lemon Yellow Black Appetizer Plate #2 $24.99 |
|
|
New Gien France Citron Lemon Yellow Black Appetizer Plate #3 $24.99 |
|
|
New Gien France Citron Lemon Yellow Black Appetizer Plate #4 $24.99 |
|
|
New Gien France Citron Lemon Yellow Black Appetizer Plate #5 $24.99 |
|
|
New Gien France Citron Lemon Yellow Black Appetizer Plate #6 $24.99 |
|
|
4 Majolica Plates 'Ed Lamgbein Original' Gien France $99.00 |
|
|
CHOISY LE ROI HB & CIE FRANCE MAJOLICA STRAWBERRY PLATE $87.50 |
|
|
CHOISY LE ROI HB & CIE FRANCE MAJOLICA STRAWBERRY PLATE $125.00 |
|
|
FRANCE OBERNAI ASHTRAY DECORATIVE 5" PORCELAIN PLATE $13.00 |
|
|
Terre de Fer H B & Cie France Blue & White Scenic Plate Feather Edge $47.60 |
|
|
SARREGUEMINES POTTERY France Salad Plate CHERRIES French Majolica Cherry Fruit $9.99 |
|
|
SARREGUEMINES POTTERY France Salad Plate GRAPES French Majolica Fruit $9.99 |
|
|
SARREGUEMINES POTTERY France Salad Plate PLUMS French Majolica Fruit Plum $9.99 |
|
|
6- MAJOLICA FRUIT PLATES *FRANCE PARRY & VIEILLE V.P. LIMOGES* $65.00 |
|
|
Haviland Limoges Porcelain France Paris Cabinet Plate $129.99 |
|
|
PORCELAINE DE FRANCE 2 OLIVE Plates Trays Floral & Gold Exc Cond HP $19.00 |
|
|
Vintage French SARREGUEMINES France Ceramic Transferware Cafe Plate $45.00 |
|
|
Antique French Faience Porcelain Tray Plate Luneville France Longwy style Enamel $19.99 |
|
|
Henriot Quimper, France - Large 'Fish' plate - 7707 or might be 1101 $7.86 |
|
|
MATET FRANCE FAIT MAIN / HANDMADE MAJOLICA CUPS SAUCER & SCALLOP PLATES SIGNED $9.95 |
|
|
H. B. HENRIOT Quimper France PLATE $59.99 |
|
|
HENRIOT QUIMPER FAIENCE FRANCE 9" FISH PLATE + GORSE AND HEATHER $23.56 |
|
|
Majolica PARRY & VIEILLE P.V. France artichoke plate $44.99 |
|
|
Set 7 French hand made plates from south France Provence NO RESERVE PRICE $155.00 |
|
|
K & G Luneville France Obert Signed Fruit Plates - Peaches $19.99 |
|
|
K & G Luneville France Obert Signed Fruit Plate - Apples $19.99 |
|
|
K & G Luneville France Obert Signed Fruit Plate - Oranges $19.99 |
|
|
HAND PAINTED SIGNED AND DATED LIMOGE FRANCE PLATE HELEN ALLDAY 1 14 54 $8.50 |
|
|
COROLLE by Haviland Limoges France Dinner Plate 10 1/4" $39.99 |
|
|
2 St. Amand French Faience Painted 8" Plates~France Saint Amand Pottery{....w.5} $24.99 |
|
|
Falence de Stamand France Ltd Edition 1971 Deer Plate $14.99 |
|
|
SALINS france MAJOLICA fruit PEARS plate LEAVES mint DISPLAY stilted MARKED $9.99 |
|
|
SALINS france MAJOLICA fruit PLUMS plate LEAVES mint DISPLAY stilted MARKED $9.99 |
|
|
SALINS france MAJOLICA fruit GRAPES plate LEAVES mint DISPLAY stilted MARKED $9.99 |
|
|
SALINS france MAJOLICA fruit CHERRIES plate LEAVES mint DISPLAY stilted MARKED $9.99 |
|
|
SALINS france MAJOLICA fruit STAWBERRY plate LEAVES mint DISPLAY stilted MARKED $9.99 |
|
|
Vintage T & V France, Beautiful Floral 7" Plate $19.50 |
|
|
LIMOGES CASTEL Courting Scene Butter Pat Plate - France $20.00 |
|
|
Vintage Quimper Hen Riot France Bread Plate #105 - Woman with Flower $8.99 |
|
|
majolica plate signed vallauris france crab oyster decor $240.00 |
|
|
13 PCS ARCOPAL FRANCE DIANA IRIS 6 CUPS 4 SALAD PLATES 2 SOUP BOWLS 1 SM BOWL $30.00 |
|
|
FRENCH FAIENCE DESVRES FRANCE HAND PAINTED 9 1/4" PLATE WITH PEASANTS SITTING $24.99 |
|
|
FRENCH FAIENCE HAND PAINTED 9 1/2" PLATE MBFA PORNIC FRANCE, ARTIST SIGNED $24.99 |
|
|
3 Luneville France Old Strasbourg pierced plates 5.75" excellent condition $34.99 |
|
|
Longwy Enamel Plate Mill Scene France Mid Century Modern Art Pottery Enameled $48.75 |
|
|
Fish plate VERITABLE PORCELAINE DE LUXE FRANCE $6.95 |
|
|
Gien France Rebus 12 Picture Puzzle Plates Black Toile $599.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE MARTHA WASHINGTON PLATE - 15 STATES & SNAKE ON BORDER - MR FRANCE $19.99 |
|
|
Pink Ancoroc France Glass Dinner Plates Set of 2 $2.99 |
|
|
HB QUIMPER FRANCE BRETAN WOMAN PEASANT SALAD PLATE 8.5" $18.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE Sarreguemines France Majolica Clamshell Oyster Plate $49.99 |
|
|
LONGCHAMP Oyster Plate VINTAGE MAJOLICA MADE IN FRANCE $108.88 |
|
|
K & G Luneville France Vintage Plate Blue wash sailing ship scene aquatic LQQK $4.99 |
|
|
De Limoges France set of 4 porcelain plates floral Motif Tulips Peonies Roses $9.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE T&V FRANCE HAND-PAINTED HANDLED FLORAL COLLECTIBLE PLATE SGND E.M RYDER $9.99 |
|
|
KELLER & GUERIN K&G LUNEVILLE FRANCE 12-Inch Charger/Serving Plate $8.99 |
|
|
Vintage FIGURAL Serving Fish Plate/Tray Made In France Butterscotch, Brown Glaze $24.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE YVES DESHOULIERES PLATES DE LIMOGES FRANCE SET (4) WINE CHEESE PLATE SET $14.99 |
|
|
K & G Luneville Depose France Plate/Platter with Apples and Cherries $65.00 |
|
|
11 PINK SQUARE PLATES 1950's RENOUVEAU FRANCE signed Verdaine $44.99 |
|
|
Romancing Provence Collection USA France White Majolica Style Floral Plate Meta $9.99 |
|
|
Fruit Filled Majolica Plate Sarreguemines Made In France Large Beviled $99.99 |
|
|
France Faience Luneville ? 2 Floral Plates Scalloped Edge $34.99 |
|
|
Porcelaine De Paris Pillivuyt France Oriental Chantilly Pattern Serving Plate $15.00 |
|
|
12 Antique AMBER GIEN MAJOLICA PLATES France ED LAMGBEIN 8" $9.99 |
|
|
Sushezi Sushi Made Easy $14.95 SUSHEZI - SUSHI MAKER... |
|
|
Aroma Hot Plates Give your kitchen some added flexibility with this electric range from Aromaâperfect when youâre entertaining large groups, compact when youâre making lunch at the office and durable when youâre camping at the beach. Can be used for cooking and serving. Choose from four different temperature settings, and enjoy the convenience of the easy to clean surface and stylish black fini... |
|
|
Duralex Picardie Clear Tumbler, Set of 6 $18.00 Duralex Picardie Clear Tumblers - Set of 6 An ideal size for water glasses, this tumbler set is a great addition to your glassware. The set of six glasses is functional and stylish, making these glasses great for everyday use. Made of tempered glass, the clear tumblers are suitable for hot or cold liquids, and are shock and chip resistant. The durable tumblers are also microwave and dishwasher saf... |
|
|
Discovery $11.98 This disc is on Blue Plate Caroline label.... |
|
|
Je Sais Que La Terre Est Plate $5.12 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.... |
