Rare Colorado License Plates

Rare Colorado License Plates Surface on eBay

Everything old is of value to someone. A rare Western collectible doesn't have to be a saddle or a pair of spurs, as indicated by this story that I wrote for "Maine Antique Digest". I hope you enjoy it. Nancy

An Arizona dealer making a house call to purchase some pottery unearthed a treasure trove of rare early Colorado license plates recently. Ironically, they were found in a Roseville jardiniere. Once purchased, the tags were listed on ebay's internet auction site and the emails began to fly.

The 1908 pre-state leather license plate with the brass numbers "887" caused the most controversy. A prestate expert emailed the seller to verify that it was a Colorado license plate. Another license plate enthusiast noted that this was a mate to an example owned by the Smithsonian institution. The leather plate in the Smithsonian had documentation stating that it had been registered to a two cylinder Maxwell in the city and county of Denver on May 6, 1906. Thus informed, the seller contacted the family and was able to obtain a photograph showing said Maxwell with the leather plate attached. Needless to say, this confirmation excited collectors and the pre-state plate soared to a final bid of $1302.77. The winning bidder, a mid-West collector, affirmed that "the items of provenance made this license plate a buy."

Also in the lot of early Colorado plates was a 1913 porcelain plate, which was Colorado's first state-issued license plate. This white license plate with black letters was number "394'. Additional lots revealed a porcelain 1914, 1915 and a stamped steel 1916 plate with the same numbers. License plate collectors lust after like-numbered groupings of plates, and this proved irresistible to many. Bidding was active for the seven day auction, ending on Friday morning, May 12. Friday morning is traditionally considered the worst possible time to end an auction, but these lots proved that it is the merchandise, and not auction timing that brings out the serious bidders. One lucky Colorado collector will receive the 1913-1916 lot for $2,151, $1301, $1226, and $383, respectively. The porcelain license plates were in remarkable condition for their age, with the 1915 black on yellow example being nearly mint. The 1916 license plate was Colorado's first stamped metal plate that was not porcelain.

So, don't use those old license plates that Grandpa tacked to the barn wall for target practice. They just might be valuable to somebody! If you would like more information about vintage license plates, write to the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, Inc., 7365 Main Street, #214, Stratford CT 06614 or visit their website www.alpca.org