1905-10 Rubber Plates

Skip to:

1910 “White Bar” Plates

Dealer Plates

Motorcycle Plates

Replicas

Ontario license plates made from 1905 to 1910 were the second issue after the leather plates. From 1905-1909, the rubber plates were made by Gutta Percha & Rubber Ltd. (est in 1883). The factory and headquarters were located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Gutta-percha is a name for a type of tree that has a sap that latex rubber can be produced from. In addition to manufacturing and selling tires, the operation produced and distributed a full line of rubber goods across Canada – including license plates.

Brass grommets were used for all the mounting holes and are more or less consistent on all plates. Some plates have beveled 45 degree corners and others have traditional square corners. Some plates have also been found with the Gutta Percha Rubber Ltd corporate seal embossed on the reverse. This is likely due to the plates being cut from a larger sheet of rubber with one seal on the larger piece, which randomly presents itself on a few plates within a given batch.

There were two distinctive series of rubber plates made. The first type were issued from 1905-1909 and these did not contain a provincial marker. In 1910, Ontario switched suppliers to the Dunlop Tire & Rubber Goods Company, Ltd. of Toronto. These plates feature a distinctive “white bar” inlay at the top of the plate with “ONTARIO” spelled out in capital letters. The first chart below shows the 1905-09 Gutta Percha survivors. The second chart shows the 1910 Dunlop survivors.

1905-09 Passenger Plates Known: 84

Year	Plate Number	Original Registration	Current Ownership	Details	Picture
1905-06	6	Foy, James, Church Street, Toronto, ON	Known Private Collection	Also pictured, pg 47 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1905-06	30	W. B. Markle, 21 Adelaide Street E., Toronto, ON	Frank Crooks Collection	Image courtesy of Corb Moister Jr.
1905-06	116	Neff, A.H. Benton, Humberstone, ON	Dave Steckley Collection	Image courtesy of Dave Steckley. Also pictured, pg 10 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1905-06	126	Durnford, Mrs. Isabella C., Sarnia, ON	Known Private Collection	Image courtesy of owner
1905-06	145	Lick, Jerry, Oshawa, ON	Dennis Huron	Currently attached to his 1903 Ford Model A.
1905	332	No record - likely ceased in 1905.	Science and Tech Museum Ottawa	Still mounted on original 1905 Buick.
1905-06	476	Smith, J. S., St. Catharines, ON	Collingwood Museum Collection	Image courtesy of Collingwood Museum website
1905-06	506	Millson, A., Solina, ON	Eric Taylor Collection	Image courtesy of Facebook.
1905-06	506	Millson, A., Solina, ON	Mounted to 1906 Cadillac K Model owned by Fawcett family of Oshawa	Image courtesy of Flickr
1905-06	571	Grobb, F., Brantford, ON	McLaughlin/Fawcett Family	Mounted on 1905 Ford. Car owned by descendants of McLaughlin Motor Car Company.
1905-06	642	Jackson, Bros. Maple, ON	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of known collector
1905-06	686	McMichael, S. W., 101 St. George Street, Toronto, ON	Martine Stonehouse Collection	Facebook image. In display frame. Sold in Acton c2010
1905-06	711	Robbins, J. T., Canfield, ON	Joe Sallmen Collection	Image courtesy of Manny Jacob
1905-06	777	Weltlaufer, Geo., 157 N. Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY	Swigart Museum Collection	Pair (other plate mounted behind). Image courtesy of Jon Upton
1905-06	846	Nathan Jenks, 84 Lafayette Ave, Detroit MI (1906 registry). Walter Clark, 103 Hollestor St., Grand Rapids MI (1910 registry)	John Willard Collection	Image courtesy of John Willard
1905-06	916	Brown, G. V., M. D., 663 14th Avenue, Detroit, MI	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Gary Irish
1905-06	1004	Darling, A. C., Petrolia, ON	Mike Franks Collection	Originally registered to AC Darling of Petrolia. Discovered in 2017. Mr. Darling is pictured at the top of this page.
1905	1012	Faulker, D. W., M. D., Foxboro, Ont	Jeff Francis Collection	Image courtesy of Dave Steckley
1905-06	1139	O'Connor, Chas. J., Park Street, Dundas, ON	William Loftus Collection	Image courtesy of William Loftus. Originally registered to Charles O'Connon, Park St., Dundas, ON.
1905-06	1256	Mutton, Frank E., 256 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON	Unknown Private Collection	Pictured, pg 10 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1905-06	1283	Leadlay, Percival, 21 Elm Avenue, Toronto, ON	Larry Becker Collection	Image courtesy of the Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa.
1905-06	1347	Symmes, J. H., Niagara Falls, ON	Thomas Zimmermann Collection
1905-06	1567	Schweim, Herman, 306 Pennsylvania Avenue, Detroit, MI	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Gary Irish
1905-06	1647	Rufus Williams, Chatham Ontario; later Kelowna, BC	Frank Crooks Collection	Image courtesy of Thomas Zimmermann.
1905-06	1684	Boor, Louis A., 127 Falls Street, Niagara Falls, NY	Martine Stonehouse Collection
1905-06	1707	Fisher, G. E., 827 Majestic Building, Detroit, MI	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Facebook. Formerly in the Hayes collection.
1907+	1873	Martha J. Flagler, corner Main and Falls Streets, Niagara Falls, NY	Known Private Collection	Image courtesy of owner.
1907+	1920	Teagan, J., Detroit, MI	MTO Archives	Image courtesy of Jim Becksted (2000).
1907+	1941	Adams, Carl N., 161 Parket Avenue, Detroit, MI	For sale at Miller & Miller Auctions Jan 2019	Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions
1907+	1944	Lodewych, Arthur G., Mt. Clemens, MI	Formerly Joe Pfiefer collection of West Lorne, ON	Image in ALPCA archives, date unknown; current whereabouts unknown.
1907+	1970	Hunt, Reuben Nelson, 812 Niagara Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY	For sale at Miller & Miller Auctions April 2021	Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions
1907+	1972	White, H. S., 26 Richmond Avenue, Buffalo, NY	Ian Hayhurst Collection	Picture courtesy of Ian Hayhurst.
1907+	2234	Clement, S. M., 737 Deleware, Avenue, Buffalo, NY	Dave Steckley Collection	Image courtesy of Dave Steckley
1907+	2280	Rasemen, R. E., 1302 Penobscot Building, Detroit, MI	Neale Hankins Collection	Image courtesy of Neale Hankins. Formerly part of Hartung collection.
1907+	2357	Thomas, E. R., Harper and Dequindre Streets, Detroit, MI	Krystian Kozinski Collection	Image courtesy of Facebook
1907+	2427	McDonald, Mrs. M. L., 14 Madison Avenue, Toronto, ON	Brian Woodard Collection
1907+	2561	Nickless, Wm. H., Bay City, MI	Unknown Private Collection	Pair, posted for sale on ebay 2017.
1907+	2694	Sherman, Dewitt H., M.D., 680 West Ferry Street, Buffalo, NY	Unknown Private Collection	Pictured on auction house website.
1907+	2845	Lumsden, J., 38 Charles Street, Ottawa, ON	Ernie Trimble Collection	Image courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+	3043	No record	Frank Crooks Collection	Image courtesy of Frank Crooks
1907+	3399	Smart, A. R., Oil City, PA	Scotty Nelson Collection	Image courtesy of Scotty Nelson
1907+	3883	Watson, Geo. A., Ridgetown, ON	Terry Ellsworth Collection
1907+	3921	Gardner, R. H., 615 Railway Street, Chicago, IL	Jon Upton Collection, formerly Patterson Collection.	Pair. Single also pictured, pg 11 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1907+	3955	Leadley, P., 21 Elm Avenue, Toronto, ON	Murray Mutch Collection
1907+	4160	Breinison, F., 156 Michigan Street, Buffalo, NY	Eric Vettoretti Collection	Pictured on cover of Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1907+	4242	No record	Murray Mutch Collection	White wall material missing within number area. Lower picture is the reverse side. Speculation is possible lack of reciprocity caused owner to paint neighbouring prov/state registration on back to save mounting two plates.
1907+	4350	Yawkey, W.H., Fort and Shelby Streets, Detroit, MI	Rick Morrison Collection.	Image courtesy of Rick Morrison. Michigan #4662 is painted on reverse side of both plates.
1907+	4355	Day, Britton T., 11319 Hessler Road, Cleveland, OH	Unknown Private Collection, formerly Plunkett Collection.	Image courtesy of Dave Steckley taken at 1975 Ontario meet.
1907+	4402	Preils, W., 160 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY	Known Collection	Image courtesy of owner.
1907+	4455	Davis, Geo. A., 936 Ellicott Square, Buffalo, NY	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Manny Jacob (likely from ebay)
1907+	4480	Simons, Geo. C., St. Mary's, PA	Unknown Private Collection. Pair, currently attached to an original 1907 Ford Model N.	Image courtesy of Fawcette Motor Carriage.
1907+	4610	Van Der Voort, Wm. Ostrom, 1533 Williamson Building, Cleveland, OH	Norm Ratcliffe Collection	Image courtesy of Norm Ratcliffe
1907+	4726	Miller, G., 139 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON	Sold at Miller and Miller Auctions Dec 2019	Image courtesy of Miller and Miller Auctions
1907+	4763	Craig, Percy L., 112 E. Lincoln Avenue, Newcastle, PA	Swigart Museum Collection	Image courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+	4871	Wills, C. H., Greenville, MI	Eric Taylor Collection	Image courtesy of Facebook.
1907+	5044	Redfield, John V., Grosee Point, MI	Frank Crooks Collection	Image courtesy of Corb Moister Jr.
1907+	5167	Dobbin, C., Park Street, Waterloo, ON	Scott Craig Collection
1907+	5299	Lyons, Thos. W., 430 Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY	Keith Murphy Collection	Image courtesy of Joe Sallmen
1907+	5299	Lyons, Thos. W., 430 Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY	Bill Collins Collection	Image courtesy of Krystian Kozinski
1907+	5418	Blong, Robert C., 65 Woodlawn Ave., Toronto, ON	Bill Collins Collection	Image courtesy of Jay Patzer
1907+	5523	Schram, Dr. J. S., London, ON	Don Goodfellow Collection	Image courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+	5535	Hood, F. E., M.D., 720 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON	Former Bill McNevan collection. For sale on HiBid Jan 2021.	Reverse side contains a Gutta-Percha embossed seal. Image courtesy of HiBid.
1907+	5773	T. J. Fair, Brantford, ON	Krystian Kozinski Collection	Image courtesy of Krystian Kozinski
1907+	5813	Dobie, Wm., cor. King and Duncan Streets, Toronto, ON	Unknown Private Collection, formerly Plunkett Collection.	Image courtesy of Dave Steckley taken at 1975 Ontario meet.
1907+	6131	Keller, Phillip, 2013 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY	Eric Taylor Collection	Pair.
1907+	6252	McAdie, W., Oshawa, ON	Swigart Museum Collection	Image courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+	6501	Brown Bros. Teeswater, ON	Known Collection. Plate was attached to the first truck in Teeswater, a 1 Cylinder Tudhope-Anderson Side Crank, made in Orillia.	Image courtesy of owner
1907+	6642	Davies, W. H., Aylmer, ON	Alan Bones Collection	Image courtesy of Alan Bones. Also pictured, pg 80 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1907+	6916	Vallery, F., Belwood, ON	On display at Eva Brook Donly Museum, Simcoe Ontario.	Internet Image
1907+	7067	Mather, W.M., M.D., Tweed, ON	Pete Salway Collection
1907+	7097	Keller, James, 726 Auburn Avenue, Buffalo, NY	Mike De Vouge Collection	Image courtesy of Mike De Vouge
1907+	7155	Clement, S. M., 737 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Gary Irish
1907+	7264	Moore, Mrs. E. S., Greensburg, PA	Joe Sallmen Collection	Image courtesy of Joe Sallmen
1907+	7684	Thompson, S. A., Brighton, Ont.	Mike Butters Collection	Image courtesy of Mike Butters
1907+	7719	No record	Seen at a Hamilton area flea market	Image courtesy of Dave Colonna
1907+	8426	Chas. A Grant, 192 Pape Avenue, Toronto, ON	Jon Ilnytzky Collection	Image courtesy of Thomas Zimmermann

Below is the second type of rubber plates issued in 1910, made by Dunlop Tire & Rubber Goods Company, Ltd. Records show that Ontario paid Dunlop $1.80 per pair for the manufacture of the plates. They feature a distinctive “white bar” inlay at the top of the plate with “ONTARIO” spelled out in capital letters. The issue with these is that the word ONTARIO could not be read from any sort of distance since the white letters were on a white background. This was likely one of the reasons Ontario switched from rubber to porcelain plates in 1911.

1910 Passenger Plates Known: 18

Year	Plate Number	Original Registration	Current Ownership	Details	Picture
1910	8656	Myles, Robt. G., 109 Simcoe Street, Toronto, Ont	MTO Archives	Lowest surviving 1910 issue as of this writing. Image courtesy of Jim Becksted (2000).
1910	8757	Keehn, A., Stratford, Ont	Crosshill estate sale	Image courtesy of HiBid
1910	8794	S. Hendrie, Grosse Point Farm, Michigan	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Norm Ratcliffe
1910	8952	Pearson, E. A., Picton, Ont. Registered to a navy blue Cadillac VIN 46179.	Frank Crooks Collection	Pair. Image courtesy of Facebook
1910	8970	No record (late year registration)	Brian Woodard Collection
1910	9211	No record (late year registration)	Eric Taylor Collection	Image courtesy of Eric Taylor
1910	9215	No record (late year registration)	Jon Upton Collection	Pair. Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions
1910	9221	No record (late year registration)	Alan Bones Collection	Image courtesy of Alan Bones
1910	9326	No record (late year registration)	Corb Moister Jr. Collection; formerly Mike Duff.	Image courtesy of Corb Moister Jr.
1910	9384	No record (late year registration)	Keith Murphy Collection	Image courtesy of Keith Murphy
1910	9395	No record (late year registration)	Eric Vettoretti Collection	Originally from Hamilton CAA office display
1910	9452	No record (late year registration)	Dave Steckley Collection	Image courtesy of Dave Steckley
1910	9453	No record (late year registration)	Tim O'Connor collection	Image courtesy of Europlate. Lower portion has been rebuilt post manufacture
1910	9483	No record (late year registration)	Harold Cook collection.	Image courtesy of 1973 ALPCA newsletter. Current whereabouts to be confirmed.
1910	9484	No record (late year registration)	Jeff Francis Collection	Image courtesy of Dave Steckley
1910	9738	No record (late year registration)	Jon Upton Collection	Highest confirmed 1910 issue. Image courtesy of Jon Upton

To date, no surviving rubber dealer plates have been found. Only the registry books together with the three photographs below are concrete evidence that they did in fact exist. It is also unknown whether or not any “white bar” dealer plates were made in 1910.

Dealer Plates Known: 0

Motorcycle plates were first issued on April 30, 1907 according to Ministry records. To date, three surviving rubber motorcycle plates have been found. In terms of construction, they had a leather backing, rubber front with a white inlay for the numbers – similar to the passenger plates. Both parts were sandwiched together and crimped with a metal frame around the border.

Motorcycle Plates Known: 3

Year	Plate Number	Original Registration	Current Ownership	Details	Picture
1908	260	Walter H. Gurd, 185 Dundas St., London, ON	Unknown Private Collection	For sale at Miller & Miller Auctions Jan 2019. Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions.
1908	293	No Record	Unknown Private Collection	Sold on ebay in 2011 from Plunkett collection. Ebay Image.
1910	413	No Record	Eric Vettoretti Collection	Also pictured, pg 41 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)

Listed below are all the known replica rubber plates – both motorcycle and passenger. Most seem to be made from fiberboard. 

Replica Plates Known: 14

Year	Plate Number	Ownership	Details	Picture
1905 Replica Motorcycle	14	David Steckley Collection	Single ply of rubber, white numbers painted on.
1905 Replica Motorcycle	22	Eric Vettoretti Collection	Two-ply rubber with white cloth in between; numbers cut out of first ply to expose white cloth.
1905 Replica	78	Ken LeBlanc Collection	Image courtesy of Thomas Zimmermann
1905 Replica	448	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Terry Ellsworth. 1905-1909 rubber plates did not feature a province name.
1905 Replica	844	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Terry Ellsworth
1905 Replica	1414	Unknown Private Collection	For sale Kidd Family Auctions Oct 2024
1905 Replica	1441	Unknown Private Collection	Formerly in the Hayes collection, current whereabouts unknown.
1905 Replica	1908	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Jon Upton. Barrie Flea Market
1910 Replica	910	Ken LeBlanc Collection	Image courtesy of Thomas Zimmermann
1910 Replica	3864	Pictured in Bruce Lobay's Canadian plates pocket book.	Image courtesy of ALPCA archives. 1905-1909 rubber plates did not feature a province name.
1910 Replica	5658	Unknown Private Collection	Image courtesy of Jon Upton. 1905-1909 rubber plates did not feature a province name.
1910 Replica	8565	Unknown Private Collection	Sold at Warren Hasting's Auction in 1996. Current whereabouts unknown.
1910 Replica	8565	Gary Edwards Collection	Different from above since no "Ontario". Fiberboard.
1910 Replica	9438	Gary Edwards Collection	Fiberboard.