Prewar Los Angeles bicycle license plates?

[Balloonatic]

I have always heard that 1936 was the first year for bicycle license plates in Los Angeles, but saw this 1935 plate recently, and with quite a high index number as well... does anyone have any info on when bicycle license plates came into use in Los Angeles?

I'm so bummed the seller pulled the auction for this plate and other prewar LA plates... his excuse was he listed them for someone else who asked him to end the auction after a day or so... I'm not so sure I believe it, it's much more likely someone made him an offer he couldn't refuse on them and pulled them.

Any info on LA plates would be appreciated, and if anyone has a 1935 LA bike plate like this one for me, PLEASE let me know?

Thanks!
Balloonatic O-O

 

[TR6SC]

Too late, my brother!

I have always heard that 1936 was the first year for bicycle license plates in Los Angeles, but saw this 1935 plate recently, and with quite a high index number as well... does anyone have any info on when bicycle license plates came into use in Los Angeles?

I'm so bummed the seller pulled the auction for this plate and other prewar LA plates... his excuse was he listed them for someone else who asked him to end the auction after a day or so... I'm not so sure I believe it, it's much more likely someone made him an offer he couldn't refuse on them and pulled them.

Any info on LA plates would be appreciated, and if anyone has a 1935 LA bike plate like this one for me, PLEASE let me know?

Thanks!
Balloonatic O-O

View attachment 706974

 

[Mike Franco]

Nice set

 

[cyclingday]

I had always heard that 1935 was the first year for LA bicycle license plates and that Shirley Temple was issued plate number 1

 

[Rust_Trader]

There’s plenty of 35’s out there

 

[dnc1]

I'm really intrigued by this whole licence plate thing, they're not something we've ever had in the UK.
Was it purely a tax raising instrument, or was theresome other reasoning behind it?
They were used in France and Spain too and I can't believe the British never implemented a system.
Would love a history lesson if anyone can oblige!

 

[Balloonatic]

I don't believe there was a tax or charge for registering a bicycle with the town or city, I think it was strictly to identify a bike if it was stolen. I may be wrong, some cities and townships might have charged to register your bike and get a tag, but I believe they were free, all you had to do was bring your bike to the police department and they would record the serial number and issue you a license plate.

 

[island schwinn]

Not all towns issued license plates either.in my area some actually stamped a registration number on the frame.usually under the crank,but I've seen a few actually stamped on the seat tube.

 

[dnc1]

Thanks for the info @Balloonatic and @island schwinn.
In France and Spain I believe there was a fiscal element to this.
Anyone know any more?

 

[Autocycleplane]

I don't believe there was a tax or charge for registering a bicycle with the town or city, I think it was strictly to identify a bike if it was stolen. I may be wrong, some cities and townships might have charged to register your bike and get a tag, but I believe they were free, all you had to do was bring your bike to the police department and they would record the serial number and issue you a license plate.

Actually in many cases it was a tax and you paid for a new one every year. Denver for example - D.B.T. on the tag stands for Denver Bicycle Tax. That’s why you find multiple years on one bike sometimes.