License Plates of the United States: A Pictorial History, 1903 to the Present, Paperback

This invaluable reference guide illustrates every standard automobile license plate issued in the United States, from 1903 to 1993. Author James K. Fox, a lifelong collector and former director of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA), comprehensively lists all of the plates by year for each state. He meticulously photographed the actual plates, in full color, and offers key information and unique characteristics about each one. Overviews explain the history of plates in each state, including examples of some plates issued prior to statehood. Of particular interest for automobile historians and restorers is a section detailing the color codes for each year and validation systems used by each individual state. This cornerstone resource covers all plates, from early porcelains to modern graphic plates, and is a must-have publication for every plate collector and automotive history enthusiast.