Victorian Guernsey Number Plates? (upd. Edwardian / railway or real?)

I'm quite sure now that these are number plates from the state of Victoria (Aust.), dating from the 1920's. Victoria used numerals only up to 1932, when the embossed enamel plates were introduced with 'VIC' on them. Before that, they didn't have anything to identify the state.

This link shows a few examples of the riveted aluminum numeral plates that were used up until 1932, and even one with a cast back. Before the riveted numeral plates, they were just hand painted onto the vehicle. These plates would be off a car or truck, as I think the motorcycles up to 1932 kept with the painted numbers. I'd say Colin got it correct, way back in comment #2.

[url]http://www.ausplates.info/VicPages/Vic-1st.htm[/url]

Number plates have been issued in Victoria, Australia since 1910. Initial Victorian plates, issued from 1910 to 1939, were in numerals only, from 1 to 285000 . From 1930, "VIC" inserts were added vertically down the left-hand side of the plate. These are assumed to be early Victoria, Australia number plates, possibly c1910. I was hoping for some clarity and possible value. Colin Dennis and C.Gillingham appear to be on the money. Found this website that also helps http://www.ausplates.info/VicPages/Vic-1st.htm

I would not automatically assume that this is automotive, could have been a house number for example. Older everyday items were normally made better than today involving more skill and labor. Today a number for almost anything would be embossed and/or painted, in those days numbers were cast with a plate, enameled etc and quite very decorative to be collectable.

Gents,
Let's ensure that there is no confusion between Victorian ( Australian State ) plates and Victorian ( Era ) plates.

Garnet

Even the early Australian plates had the state of issue on them eg VIC or NSW so I don't believe these are early Australian plates.

Are these plate from Australia? because I have to agree with Colin, as they look very much like the Victorian (Australian state) plates that were issued in the 1920's. I have a couple as well, except mine have a steel back, not cast. Vic plates started at number 1 in about 1910, and 435 would be one of the earlier numbers. I wouldn't be surprised if these are Australian plates, particularly 1920's Vic ones.

Without knowing the size of the plates I feel it is impossible to make any definite conclusions as to their use.
Assuming they are the right size for a motorcar, then an early Guernsey registration would be as good a bet as any!
However, that would place them firmly in the Edwardian period, probably post-1908.

Regards, Peter Maguire.

I think there is some confusion here. There is a Victorian era and a state of Victorian in Australia. My 5 digit plates like these ones were issued in Victoria, Australia prior to the 1930s, not in the reign of Queen Victoria.

I would suggest that these are late Edwardian or perhaps even early 1920s.
The earliest number plates issued in the UK were enamelled and produced by Chromo Wolverhampton - I have a dozen or so original enamelled plates hanging in the garage, all two letters and one or two numbers, dating from around January 1904 when the Motor Car Act came into force.

I'm thinking .."Railway.....?"

Sorry to be a party pooper but I don't think these are early vehicle registration plates but something else entirely. And there is no such thing as a Victorian number plate as the first registrations appeared in late 1903,long after the said monarch was dead.

The give-away for me is the font of the numbers which do not onform to the type set out in the regulations which were strictly enforced. The convention was also to use a full size plate however few numbers are used, and these plates are barely wider than the three digits.

editor: Martin, I can follow your arguments except "The convention was also to use a full size plate however few numbers are used..." In my opinion they didn't know in 1908 or 1909 that they would bring out 5 digit registrations a bit further down the road... or? JB

I have a pair of 5 digit plates with the same riveted on numbers on the same aluminium plates. Mine are Victorian from prior to the introduction of the vitreous enamel number plates in the early thirties.

I think Victorian is highly unlikely. Maybe Edwardian.