License Plate Size

[Jim B]

Would anyone know the approximate size of a US automobile license plate in 1925?  I know that US license plates were not standardized to the current 6" x 12" until 1956.

Thanks for the help.

[landman]

These are 1920's NY. Once you can find one side you can estimate the other. Also google the year you want. It will likely pop up as an eBay listing. Sometimes they give the size.

http://www.worldlicenceplates.com/jpglps/US_NYXX_GI1.jpg

[Harry P.]

If size wasn't standardized before 1950s, then you would need to know the specific state you're looking for.

[Jim B]

I was thinking of New York.  From the pic that Pat posted, I'm guessing that they were maybe 4" x 12"?  Not really sure.

[Longbox55]

If size wasn't standardized before 1950s, then you would need to know the specific state you're looking for.

You would also need to have the specific number as well. Illinois, for example, used several different size plates prior to the standardization in size in '56. The plate size varied according to how long the number was, the higher the number, the longer the plate was. Low number plates also were taller than the high number plates.

[Foxer]

You would also need to have the specific number as well. Illinois, for example, used several different size plates prior to the standardization in size in '56. The plate size varied according to how long the number was, the higher the number, the longer the plate was. Low number plates also were taller than the high number plates.

Must have been Gangsters in Chicago running the License Plate business in 1925!    ... how inefficient

[Harry P.]

Here you go... exact sizes listed...

http://licenseplates.tropikordia.com/sizes.asp?State=New York

[Jim B]

Great site!  Thanks.

[Longbox55]

That's a pretty cool site, Harry! Definitely bookmarking that one. I even found some information I was looking for, the dimensions of the 1914 Indiana plate.

[SfanGoch]

This is also a good site:

Never mind. allaboutlicenceplates.com is the same site with a different URL.

 

A NYS 1913-28 plate was 6" x 16".

Edited May 26, 2016 by SfanGoch

[charlie8575]

You would also need to have the specific number as well. Illinois, for example, used several different size plates prior to the standardization in size in '56. The plate size varied according to how long the number was, the higher the number, the longer the plate was. Low number plates also were taller than the high number plates.

Must have been Gangsters in Chicago running the License Plate business in 1925!    ... how inefficient

Actually, a lot of states did that. Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine did, too. I think Massachusetts did for a few years, as well. 

Considering they're produced in the prisons, yes, some of the not-so-good gangesters were running the plate business, I'm quite sure.

Charlie Larkin

[unclescott58]

Here you go... exact sizes listed...

http://licenseplates.tropikordia.com/sizes.asp?State=New York

Great for New York. Not very useful from the rest of us. But, still good.

[SfanGoch]

Great for New York. Not very useful from the rest of us. But, still good.

Scott, if you look at the upper left corner of the page, you can "Return to map". There, you can choose any State, Territory, Canadian Province or Armed Forces location:

 

[landman]

www.worldlicenceplates.com

There you go Scott. The entire world.

[unclescott58]

Thank you guys.

[Harry P.]

Great for New York. Not very useful from the rest of us. But, still good.

OP was asking specifically about New York. So that's what I answered with,

[CometMan]

I am a member of the ALPCA (national license plate club), and the MLPCA (Michigan license plate club), the feds regulated the size of plates at 12" x 6" in 1956, before that they were set by each state.