Yes, many individuals enthusiastically collect old license plates. This fascinating hobby, known as "alumniplatten" in some circles, has a dedicated global community. Collectors are often drawn to the historical significance, unique designs, and nostalgic value associated with these automotive artifacts.
The World of License Plate Collecting
Collecting license plates is a popular pastime with diverse focuses and specialties. It's more than just accumulating old metal; it's about preserving history, design evolution, and personal connections to vehicles and places.
What Do Collectors Specialize In?
The scope of license plate collecting is incredibly broad, allowing enthusiasts to focus on very specific niches. This specialization adds depth and challenge to the hobby. Common areas of interest include:
- Pre-State Plates: These are rare and highly sought-after plates that predate a state's official issuance of license plates, often dating back to the early 1900s when local jurisdictions or individual owners created their own.
- Sample Plates: Many states produce sample plates for display, testing, or internal use, which often feature unique serial numbers (like "SAMPLE") or designs not found on issued plates.
- State-Specific Collections: Collectors might focus on obtaining a complete run of plates from a particular state or territory, spanning all years and types.
- Official and Governor Plates: Specialized collections include plates issued for governors, other state officials, emergency vehicles, or specific government departments.
- Thematic Collections: Collectors might gather plates based on specific themes such as:
- Years: Plates from a birth year, a significant historical year, or a complete set from a specific decade.
- Colors or Materials: Plates made of unique materials or featuring specific color combinations.
- Specific Designs: Plates showcasing particular graphics, slogans, or embossed features.
- Vanity or Low-Number Plates: Plates with personalized messages, repeating numbers, or historically low serial numbers.
- Errors or Variations: Plates with manufacturing defects or unique variations in design.
- Foreign Plates: Collecting plates from different countries, often focusing on rare or culturally significant designs.
Why Do People Collect License Plates?
The motivations behind collecting old license plates are as varied as the plates themselves:
- Historical Preservation: Plates serve as tangible links to automotive history and the evolution of transportation laws and designs.
- Nostalgia: Many collectors are drawn to plates from their home state, their birth year, or plates that remind them of family vehicles or memorable road trips.
- Aesthetics and Design: The artwork, typography, and unique shapes of old plates are appealing to many, making them attractive display pieces.
- The Thrill of the Hunt: Discovering rare or elusive plates provides a sense of accomplishment and excitement.
- Investment: While not the primary motivation for most, some rare plates can appreciate in value over time.
- Community: The hobby fosters a strong sense of community, with clubs, swap meets, and online forums dedicated to buying, selling, and discussing plates.
Where to Find Old License Plates
Collectors source plates from a variety of places:
- Online Marketplaces: Websites like eBay, Etsy, and specialized collector forums are popular for buying and selling.
- Antique Stores and Flea Markets: These locations often hide unexpected treasures.
- Swap Meets and Conventions: Dedicated license plate shows organized by collector clubs provide opportunities to trade and purchase plates.
- Auctions: Specialized automobilia auctions can feature rare and valuable plates.
- Estate Sales and Garage Sales: Sometimes, old plates are discovered as part of larger collections or clear-outs.
- Direct from Owners: Occasionally, collectors acquire plates directly from individuals who have kept them for decades.
For more information on the hobby and to connect with other enthusiasts, organizations like the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) are excellent resources, offering a vibrant community for collectors worldwide.
