1909 Single Dray License Plate

[cryptic]

Found a 1909 Single Dray License Plate.

 

[pl8man]

Very cool early plate !! I have collected license plates for 30 years and I have not seen that one before . Do not re paint it !! Just leave it as is . You might want to check out the license plate web site at ALPCA.ORG .
Great find !
Glen
PL8MAN

 

[Mackaydon]

Ontario began registering vehicles around May of 1903. The original (auto) plates were shield shaped and made of leather. During the period of 1905-1910, the plates were made from rubber. Yours is, obviously, a different type of plate.

 

[Roland58]

Personally, I wouldn't touch it; but I would create a plague with the history of license plates in your particular province; including the probable requirement that the first plates be handmade by the vehicle owner; during that period after the requirement to license was enacted but before the government issued license plates.
Don........

Don't be creating any plagues!!! But, a nice plaque would be cool! You sure know a lot about license plates, do you have a collection yourself?
My question would be about the "single dray".......if your 'dray' had two horses, would you have to have a "double dray" license? This is wild, I've never heard of such a thing. At least they never had a problem determining the horsepower! Dray....another thing learned from this forum.....
A low, heavy cart without sides, used for haulage

 

[cryptic]

Ontario began registering vehicles around May of 1903. The original (auto) plates were shield shaped and made of leather. During the period of 1905-1910, the plates were made from rubber. Yours is, obviously, a different type of plate.

I googled that too. Still not sure about what this plate would originally look like. The 1911 vehicle plates started to use ceramic. I believe that "Double dray" is the term used for 2 horses

 

[pepperj]

That's a pretty cool plate, nice keeper.

 

[Ronfrommichigan]

Cool!

 

[Mackaydon]

Roland:
Regarding a double dray license plate (or, at least the tag):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodysworld1778/3433636786/
As this site states: "A double dray is a two horse team licensed for hauling a commercial load for business. This is an equestrian version of what would be a commercial license plate on motorized vehicles."

Don........

 

[Roland58]

Thanks, Don! I was kidding around when I mentioned the "double dray" and it seems I was right.....cool. You may have missed my earlier question, do you have a plate collection? You sure seem to have a vast knowledge of them.

 

[muleskinner]

That plate is in great shape, and I would be proud of it. I dug a 1913 Mich. plate in super shape, and consisider it one of my best finds.

 

[Nathatniel Spogsworthy]

Wow, thats neat, I had no idea. You learn something new every day.

 

[clovis97]

I would think that the low number on the plate of 24, as well as the uniqueness of the plate would suggest that it might be for a horse drawn taxi, or other horse drawn commercial vehicle.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

That is really cool!

Here is a 1922 "Dray" Badge I dug a few years ago.

 

[Mackaydon]

Roland:
I enjoy doing the research and the knowledge gained, but I don't have a plate collection.
Don.......

 

[coin1921]

Nice Dray plate. As far as donating it to a museum, I found one similar in The Pas, Manitoba, Canada, and took it to the museum to donate it. The curator had no interest in the plate.
I was told by an "oldtimer" in town that it was likely from a horse drawn delivery wagon, used to deliver coal to the houses.

 

[cryptic]

Thanks everyone for the great wealth of information!

 

[Indiana Digger]

Wow...that's a new one on me!

What a great historical recovery! Congrats!


~Indiana Digger~

 

[mosemeister]

That is a really neat plate, and in great condition. I learned something, today. Thanks

 

[cryptic]

I received an email from someone that is very knowledgeable about license plates in my area.

"Thanks for the link to that most unusual plate. If it is indeed Ontario, it is nothing like anything else the province has issued. I am not aware of any places having Dray plates from that long ago. Even Toronto isn't known to have had them that far back, and if they were issued, it's likely a few would have turned up by now. I find it possible, though unlikely, this is an Ontario plate, especially for a smaller town like Cobalt. Finally the dies on this plate do not suggest any kind of manufacture in Ontario. To me, this looks more likely to be something from Minnesota, Michigan or NY. A bordering state would be plausible - someone moving to Ontario, no longer needing the plate and turfing it away. Also consider that any cross-border cartage company would have required a license for the US side of the business, if one was mandated. Unfortunately this plate could remain a mystery for a very long time - without any photos or documentation it may never be resolved as there's nothing on the plate to suggest where it is from. Sorry that I could not be of any real help in this situation. - Joe Sallmen(Author of 'Ontario License Plates - A Century of History' published in 2003/04)."

The mystery continues..

 

[traverdog]

Now that's a real keeper!!!