PORCELAIN PLATES.NET A Website for Porcelain License Plate Collectors & Enthusiasts |
Gallery: Unusual Shapes
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| FENDER SHAPED |
Outside of the standard rectangular format, the second most commonly chosen
shape for porcelain license plates was fender-shaped motorcycle plates. These
were laid out in a vertical format and were curved from top to bottom, side to
side, or both. While rare to collectors due to their poor survival rate, there were
actually 7 states, the District of Columbia and 7 cities & counties that used them.
shape for porcelain license plates was fender-shaped motorcycle plates. These
were laid out in a vertical format and were curved from top to bottom, side to
side, or both. While rare to collectors due to their poor survival rate, there were
actually 7 states, the District of Columbia and 7 cities & counties that used them.
The state of Alabama issued
fender shaped plates to
motorcycle in at least 1914 and
1915. For more on these plates,
click HERE.
fender shaped plates to
motorcycle in at least 1914 and
1915. For more on these plates,
click HERE.
| ALABAMA |
From 1915-1917, Alachua
County issued fender-shaped
porcelains to motorcyclists. For
more on these plates, click
HERE.
County issued fender-shaped
porcelains to motorcyclists. For
more on these plates, click
HERE.
| ALACHUA CO., FL |
A single known 1916 plate is our
only evidence that Broward
County ever issued fender-
shaped plates. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
only evidence that Broward
County ever issued fender-
shaped plates. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| BROWARD CO. FL |
The undisputed king of fender
plates, California licensed many
classes of motorcycles with
them from 1914-1919. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
plates, California licensed many
classes of motorcycles with
them from 1914-1919. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| CALIFORNIA |
Delaware issued a single year of
fender-shaped plates in 1913
before redesigning its cycle
plates the next year. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
fender-shaped plates in 1913
before redesigning its cycle
plates the next year. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| DELAWARE |
From at least 1910 through
1913, motorcycles in D.C. were
licensed with striking red
fender-shaped plates. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
1913, motorcycles in D.C. were
licensed with striking red
fender-shaped plates. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| DIST. OF COLUMBIA |
Although Hillsborough's 1914
cycle plates were square, the
1915 & 1916 plates were
fender-shaped. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
cycle plates were square, the
1915 & 1916 plates were
fender-shaped. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| HILLSBOROUGH CO., FL |
Although not issued by the city,
motorcyclists in California's
pre-state era could commission
and use porcelains. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
motorcyclists in California's
pre-state era could commission
and use porcelains. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| LOS ANGELES, CA |
In 1911 & 1912, Maryland issued
fender plates curved vertically.
In 1913, a horizontal curve was
added. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
fender plates curved vertically.
In 1913, a horizontal curve was
added. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| MARYLAND |
Minnesota only issued
porcelains for a single year in
1911, issuing fender plates to
motorcyclists. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
porcelains for a single year in
1911, issuing fender plates to
motorcyclists. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| MINNESOTA |
| ROUND |
There were a surprisingly large number of jurisdictions that produced round
porcelain license plates at one point or another. In fact, although no state or
province ever issued a porcelain disc, there are 10 municipalities that are known
to have done so, making it the third most common shape used for porcelain
license plates behind rectangular and fender shaped.
porcelain license plates at one point or another. In fact, although no state or
province ever issued a porcelain disc, there are 10 municipalities that are known
to have done so, making it the third most common shape used for porcelain
license plates behind rectangular and fender shaped.
Duval issued round porcelains
to various classes of vehicles in
1911-12 before switching to
rectangular plates. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
to various classes of vehicles in
1911-12 before switching to
rectangular plates. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA |
Memphis issued porcelain discs
in 1914 and 1915 and then again
in 1920 when Visitor plates
were round. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
in 1914 and 1915 and then again
in 1920 when Visitor plates
were round. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE |
In 1912-13 and 1914-15, Nassau
issued porcelain discs. 1913-14
issues were probably round too,
but none is known. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
issued porcelain discs. 1913-14
issues were probably round too,
but none is known. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA |
For a span of three years, from
1913-14 through 1915-16, Palm
Beach issued porcelain discs.
For more on these plates, click
HERE.
1913-14 through 1915-16, Palm
Beach issued porcelain discs.
For more on these plates, click
HERE.
| PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA |
Pinellas County issued round
porcelains for two years -
1913-14 and an unusually large
version in 1914-15. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
porcelains for two years -
1913-14 and an unusually large
version in 1914-15. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA |
In 1915-16, Providence licensed
buses with porcelain discs - the
only round porcelains from all of
New England. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
buses with porcelain discs - the
only round porcelains from all of
New England. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND |
The only round porcelain issued
in St. Johns was a tiny 2"
diameter motorcycle plate in
1916-17. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
in St. Johns was a tiny 2"
diameter motorcycle plate in
1916-17. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA |
After 7 years of giant porcelains,
St. Louis switched to small
discs in 1912 for its final
porcelain issue. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
St. Louis switched to small
discs in 1912 for its final
porcelain issue. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI |
In 1915-16, St. Lucie licensed
both passenger vehicles and
motorcycles, but only the cycle
plates were round. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
both passenger vehicles and
motorcycles, but only the cycle
plates were round. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA |
In 1917, milk vendors in the city
of Syracuse carried porcelain
discs of 3 inches in diameter.
For more on these plates, click
HERE.
of Syracuse carried porcelain
discs of 3 inches in diameter.
For more on these plates, click
HERE.
| SYRACUSE, NEW YORK |
From 1920-1923, New Mexico
issued a series of ultra rare
fender plates, re- validated each
year with dated tabs. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
issued a series of ultra rare
fender plates, re- validated each
year with dated tabs. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| NEW MEXICO |
Spartanburg is the only city in
South Carolina known to have
issued fender-shaped
motorcycle plates. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
South Carolina known to have
issued fender-shaped
motorcycle plates. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| SPARTANBURG, SC |
In Tampa's last year of porcelain
issuance, motorcycles were
licensed with distinctive fender
plates. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
issuance, motorcycles were
licensed with distinctive fender
plates. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| TAMPA, FLORIDA |
In its sixth and final year of
annual porcelain plates, Tulsa
issued Oklahoma's only known
porcelain fender plate. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
annual porcelain plates, Tulsa
issued Oklahoma's only known
porcelain fender plate. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| TULSA, OKLAHOMA |
Beginning in at least 1911,
Virginia issued a series of three
annual fender-shaped
porcelains to motorcyclists. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
Virginia issued a series of three
annual fender-shaped
porcelains to motorcyclists. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
| VIRGINIA |
| SQUARE |
Fender shaped motorcycle plates and round discs are by far the two most
common non-rectangular shapes used for porcelain license plates. However,
there were actually six different jurisdictions that issued square porcelains as
well. Most of these are private or city issues, but two varieties - the North
Carolina cycle plates and the Maine passenger plates - are official state issues.
common non-rectangular shapes used for porcelain license plates. However,
there were actually six different jurisdictions that issued square porcelains as
well. Most of these are private or city issues, but two varieties - the North
Carolina cycle plates and the Maine passenger plates - are official state issues.
In the county's first known year
of motorcycle issues, they
produced 4 1/2 inch square
plates. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
of motorcycle issues, they
produced 4 1/2 inch square
plates. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA |
Beginning in 1915, cars using
the Long Island Motor Parkway
were required to display square
porcelains. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
the Long Island Motor Parkway
were required to display square
porcelains. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| LONG ISLAND MOTOR PARKWAY, NY |
From 1913-14 through 1915-16,
North Carolina licensed
motorcycles with these rare
square porcelains. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
North Carolina licensed
motorcycles with these rare
square porcelains. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| NORTH CAROLINA |
For about 20 years beginning in
the early '20s, Providence
issued square plates to trucks
& Hackney Carriages. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
the early '20s, Providence
issued square plates to trucks
& Hackney Carriages. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND |
Vehicles licensed to use the
Roosevelt Airfield in Garden City,
New York carried small square
plates in the 1930s . For more
on these plates, click HERE.
Roosevelt Airfield in Garden City,
New York carried small square
plates in the 1930s . For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| ROOSEVELT FIELD, NY |
| OVAL |
Only three jurisdictions are known to have produced oval porcelain license
plates. Jacksonville, Florida did so to license Ice Peddlers in the city, and Lima,
Ohio required vehicle owners to use oval porcelains in 1913 - probably on
motorcycles. The only state-issued oval porcelains are the run of New Hampshire
Neutral Zone plates issued between 1913 and 1918.
plates. Jacksonville, Florida did so to license Ice Peddlers in the city, and Lima,
Ohio required vehicle owners to use oval porcelains in 1913 - probably on
motorcycles. The only state-issued oval porcelains are the run of New Hampshire
Neutral Zone plates issued between 1913 and 1918.
In 1912-13 and 1913-14, the city
of Jacksonville issued oval
porcelain license plates to Ice
Peddlers. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
of Jacksonville issued oval
porcelain license plates to Ice
Peddlers. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA |
The sole surviving example of a
porcelain license plate from
Lima is an oval plate, probably
used on a motorcycle. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
porcelain license plate from
Lima is an oval plate, probably
used on a motorcycle. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| LIMA, OHIO |
From 1913-1918, New
Hampshire issued oval plates to
some border state residents
who worked in the state. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
Hampshire issued oval plates to
some border state residents
who worked in the state. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
| NEW HAMPSHIRE |
| DIAMOND |
Like oval plates, there are only three jurisdictions known to have experimented
with diamond-shaped porcelains. Jacksonville, Florida used them to license Ice
Cream Peddlers, while in Memphis, Tennessee they were used on regular
passenger vehicles in the city, as well as by visitors who had temporary plates. In
Worcester, Massachusetts, diamond-shaped porcelains were used for 17 years.
with diamond-shaped porcelains. Jacksonville, Florida used them to license Ice
Cream Peddlers, while in Memphis, Tennessee they were used on regular
passenger vehicles in the city, as well as by visitors who had temporary plates. In
Worcester, Massachusetts, diamond-shaped porcelains were used for 17 years.
In 1912-13 and 1913-14,
Jacksonville issued diamond
shaped porcelains to the city's
Ice Cream Peddlers. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
Jacksonville issued diamond
shaped porcelains to the city's
Ice Cream Peddlers. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA |
For five years, from 1916-1920,
Memphis issued diamond
shaped porcelains to both
residents and visitors. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
Memphis issued diamond
shaped porcelains to both
residents and visitors. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE |
Worcester is the king of
diamond shaped porcelains,
issuing them for 17 years, from
1914 through 1930. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
diamond shaped porcelains,
issuing them for 17 years, from
1914 through 1930. For more on
these plates, click HERE.
| WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS |
| OTHER |
In addition to the more familiar shapes seen above, there are a few real oddities
in the world of porcelain license plates. The St. Louis 1909 and the New
Hampshire Non-Resident plates, for instance, are hexagons with clipped lower
corners. But strangest of all are the famous California pre-states: the "dogbone"
variety, and the "Mickey Mouse" plates with "ears" at either top or bottom.
in the world of porcelain license plates. The St. Louis 1909 and the New
Hampshire Non-Resident plates, for instance, are hexagons with clipped lower
corners. But strangest of all are the famous California pre-states: the "dogbone"
variety, and the "Mickey Mouse" plates with "ears" at either top or bottom.
In addition to the "Mickey Mouse"
plates, motorists could choose a
porcelain variety with the Auto
Club emblems on the ends. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
plates, motorists could choose a
porcelain variety with the Auto
Club emblems on the ends. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
| CALIFORNIA |
From 1913-1918, Non-Resident
motorists in New Hampshire
were licensed with hexagonal
porcelain license plates. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
motorists in New Hampshire
were licensed with hexagonal
porcelain license plates. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
| NEW HAMPSHIRE |
Arguably the most distinctive
porcelain ever produced, these
California pre-states are dubbed
"Mickey Mouse" plates. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
porcelain ever produced, these
California pre-states are dubbed
"Mickey Mouse" plates. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| CALIFORNIA |
| OCTAGONAL |
Even rarer than diamond or oval shaped license plates are eight-sided
porcelains. In fact, only two varieties of octagonal plates are known:
pre-provincial owner provided plates from Quebec dating to about 1910, and 1910
St. Louis porcelains - the seventh annual porcelain issue from that city (the
previous year having been an equally distinctive hexagonal 1909 issue).
porcelains. In fact, only two varieties of octagonal plates are known:
pre-provincial owner provided plates from Quebec dating to about 1910, and 1910
St. Louis porcelains - the seventh annual porcelain issue from that city (the
previous year having been an equally distinctive hexagonal 1909 issue).
On the heels of a hexagonal 1909
issue, St. Louis issued an
octagonal porcelain in 1910 - the
only jurisdiction ever to do so. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
issue, St. Louis issued an
octagonal porcelain in 1910 - the
only jurisdiction ever to do so. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
| ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI |
Beginning around 1910,
motorists in Quebec could order
attractive eight-sided porcelains
for use on their vehicles. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
motorists in Quebec could order
attractive eight-sided porcelains
for use on their vehicles. For
more on these plates, click HERE.
| QUEBEC |
One and two digit Maine 1912 &
1913 plates are the only square
state-issued passenger
porcelains ever made. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
1913 plates are the only square
state-issued passenger
porcelains ever made. For more
on these plates, click HERE.
| MAINE |
After five years of standard
annual rectangular porcelains,
St. Louis issued a six-sided plate
in 1909. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
annual rectangular porcelains,
St. Louis issued a six-sided plate
in 1909. For more on these
plates, click HERE.
| ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI |
