License Plates

A. holding an Ohio plate from 1910 (photo taken June 2009)

A. became a member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) in kindergarten and still enjoys the hobby, even if soccer and Legos compete for his attention.  He and I have been to a few meets where people sell, trade, and display plates.  While we are definitely in the minority (age and sex), we are warmly welcomed and we appreciate how many people take time to teach us about the pursuit of the just-right plate.

A. setting up his plates.

More plates for sale.

Last week there was a meet that was local and after the soccer game so we packed up and headed to an amazing spot tucked away between two railroad tracks.  A. found some plates for his birth-year run (one from each state from the year he was born - should they all be passenger car plates or is a dealer plate okay?  should they be natural plates or is it okay if there are a few stickers on top of each other?  what about states that don't have dates, like NJ and NY?).

At the end of the meet there was a meeting and an auction of plates donated by members.  With money from selling some plates A. was able to buy a 1980's plate from Madrid and a 1915 plate from California.

And that house in the background?  Incredible!  You see more pictures here, and read a bit below (click to enlarge).

A member of ALPCA had read that the house joined the national registry for historic landmarks and was taking pictures when the owner came out.  They chatted and the owner said he had an old license plate that had belonged to Dr. Ensign.

This is amazing because it is a pre-state issue, is in great shape, still has a bit of the leather on the hook, and even has the official metal tag issued by the city.  Too bad the picture of the car is a side view.

One thing led to another, the owner offered to host us, and we all gathered to discuss license plates.  I was able to be part of a short tour and loved seeing some of the historic medical tools and items that his daughter had saved.  I hope we go back.