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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: 87

In the table below, there are three columns documenting the original ownership and registration history. At the time, license plates remained with the vehicle when it was sold. These were also permanent plates, remaining in use through the end of 1910, rather than being replaced annually. Ontario starting do that beginning in 1911. We have surviving registration records from 1905, 1906, and 1910. If the original owner retained the vehicle and renewed the registration fees annually, this is reflected in the table. If a different owner is recorded for the same plate, it indicates that the vehicle was sold and the plate remained with it. We have yet to locate registration books for 1907, 1908, or 1909. As a result, later entries are simply noted as “issued during or after 1907,” where the exact year cannot be determined.

Year IssuedPlate Number1905 Registration1906 Registration1910 RegistrationCurrent OwnershipDetailsPicture
19056Foy, James, Church Street, Toronto, OntSame - RenewedShuttleworth, J. 125 Dundas Street, Toronto, OntKnown Private CollectionAlso pictured, pg 47 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
190530W. B. Markle, 21 Adelaide Street E., Toronto, OntSame - RenewedIrving, C. H., Newmarket, OntFrank Crooks CollectionImage courtesy of Corb Moister Jr.
1905116Neff, A.H. Benton, Humberstone, OntSame - RenewedMichael, Edwin, Port Colborne, OntDave Steckley CollectionImage courtesy of Dave Steckley. Also pictured, pg 10 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1905126Durnford, Mrs. Isabella C., Sarnia, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedKnown Private CollectionImage courtesy of owner
1905145Lick, Jerry, Oshawa, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedDennis HuronCurrently attached to his 1903 Ford Model A.
1905332No recordNo recordNo recordScience and Tech Museum OttawaStill mounted on original 1905 Buick.
1906476N/A - Issued in 1906Smith, J. S., St. Catharines, OntYoung, E. C., St. Catharines, OntCollingwood Museum CollectionImage courtesy of Collingwood Museum website
1905506Millson, A., Solina, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedEric Taylor CollectionImage courtesy of Facebook.
1905506Millson, A., Solina, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedMounted to 1906 Cadillac K Model owned by Fawcett family of OshawaImage courtesy of Flickr
1905571Grobb, F., Brantford, OntSame - RenewedPark, E. P., Brantford, OntMcLaughlin/Fawcett FamilyMounted on 1905 Ford. Car owned by descendants of McLaughlin Motor Car Company.
1905642Jackson, Bros. Maple, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedUnknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of known collector
1905686McMichael, S. W., 101 St. George Street, Toronto, OntSame - RenewedMorley, G. W., 793 Bathurst Street, Toronto, OntMartine Stonehouse CollectionFacebook image. In display frame. Sold in Acton c2010
1905711Robbins, J. T., Canfield, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedJoe Sallmen CollectionImage courtesy of Manny Jacob
1905777Weltlaufer, Geo., 157 N. Pearl Street, Buffalo, NYSame - RenewedNot Renewed - No RecordSwigart Museum CollectionPair (other plate mounted behind). Image courtesy of Jon Upton
1905846Nathan Jenks, 84 Lafayette Ave, Detroit MISame - RenewedWalter Clark, 103 Hollestor St., Grand Rapids MIJohn Willard CollectionImage courtesy of John Willard
1905916Brown, G. V., M. D., 663 14th Avenue, Detroit, MISame - RenewedDurphy, W. H., Ithica, NYUnknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Gary Irish
19051004Darling, A. C., Petrolia, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedMike Franks CollectionOriginally registered to AC Darling of Petrolia. Discovered in 2017. Mr. Darling is pictured at the top of this page.
19051012Faulker, D. W., M. D., Foxboro, OntSame - RenewedSame - RenewedJeff Francis CollectionImage courtesy of Dave Steckley
19051139O'Connor, Chas. J., Park Street, Dundas, OntSame - RenewedNot Renewed - No RecordWilliam Loftus CollectionImage courtesy of William Loftus. Originally registered to Charles O'Connon, Park St., Dundas, ON.
19061256N/A - Issued in 1906Mutton, Frank E., 256 Carlton Street, Toronto, OntNot Renewed - No RecordUnknown Private CollectionPictured, pg 10 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
19061283N/A - Issued in 1906Leadlay, Percival, 21 Elm Avenue, Toronto, OntNot Renewed - No RecordLarry Becker CollectionImage courtesy of the Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa.
19061347N/A - Issued in 1906Symmes, J. H., Niagara Falls, OntSame - RenewedThomas Zimmermann Collection
19061567N/A - Issued in 1906Schweim, Herman, 306 Pennsylvania Avenue, Detroit, MISame - RenewedUnknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Gary Irish
1907+1647N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Rufus Williams, Chatham Ont; later Kelowna, BC Frank Crooks CollectionImage courtesy of Thomas Zimmermann.
19061684N/A - Issued in 1906Boor, Louis A., 127 Falls Street, Niagara Falls, NYSame - RenewedMartine Stonehouse Collection
19061707N/A - Issued in 1906Fisher, G. E., 827 Majestic Building, Detroit, MINot Renewed - No RecordUnknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Facebook. Formerly in the Hayes collection.
1907+1837N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Hewitt, Eugene, 739 4th Avenue, Detroit, MIMartine Stonehouse Collection
1907+1873N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Martha J. Flagler, corner Main and Falls Streets, Niagara Falls, NYKnown Private CollectionImage courtesy of owner.
1907+1920N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Teagan, J., Detroit, MIMTO ArchivesImage courtesy of Jim Becksted (2000).
1907+1941N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Adams, Carl N., 161 Parket Avenue, Detroit, MIFor sale at Miller & Miller Auctions Jan 2019Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions
1907+1944N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Lodewych, Arthur G., Mt. Clemens, MIFormerly Joe Pfiefer collection of West Lorne, ONImage in ALPCA archives, date unknown; current whereabouts unknown.
1907+1970N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Hunt, Reuben Nelson, 812 Niagara Avenue, Niagara Falls, NYFor sale at Miller & Miller Auctions April 2021Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions
1907+1972N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907White, H. S., 26 Richmond Avenue, Buffalo, NYIan Hayhurst CollectionPicture courtesy of Ian Hayhurst.
1907+2234N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Clement, S. M., 737 Deleware, Avenue, Buffalo, NYDave Steckley CollectionImage courtesy of Dave Steckley
1907+2280N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Rasemen, R. E., 1302 Penobscot Building, Detroit, MINeale Hankins CollectionImage courtesy of Neale Hankins. Formerly part of Hartung collection.
1907+2357N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Thomas, E. R., Harper and Dequindre Streets, Detroit, MIKrystian Kozinski CollectionImage courtesy of Facebook
1907+2427N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907McDonald, Mrs. M. L., 14 Madison Avenue, Toronto, OntBrian Woodard Collection
1907+2561N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Nickless, Wm. H., Bay City, MIUnknown Private CollectionPair, posted for sale on ebay 2017.
1907+2694N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Sherman, Dewitt H., M.D., 680 West Ferry Street, Buffalo, NYUnknown Private CollectionPictured on auction house website.
1907+2845N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Lumsden, J., 38 Charles Street, Ottawa, OntFormer Doug Janney Collection; for sale on ebay Nov 2025Image courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+3043N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907No recordFrank Crooks CollectionImage courtesy of Frank Crooks
1907+3154N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Caley, M., Metmora, MichiganJack Clark CollectionImage courtesy of Jack Clark. Due to lack of reciprocity, owner painted Michigan registration 5708 on back to save mounting two plates. Michigan registration is confirmed to be issued May/June 1907.
1907+3399N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Smart, A. R., Oil City, PAScotty Nelson CollectionImage courtesy of Scotty Nelson
1907+3883N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Watson, Geo. A., Ridgetown, OntTerry Ellsworth Collection
1907+3921N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Gardner, R. H., 615 Railway Street, Chicago, ILJon Upton Collection, formerly Patterson Collection.Pair. Single also pictured, pg 11 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1907+3955N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Leadley, P., 21 Elm Avenue, Toronto, OntMurray Mutch Collection
1907+4160N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Breinison, F., 156 Michigan Street, Buffalo, NYEric Vettoretti CollectionPictured on cover of Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1907+4242N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907No recordMurray Mutch CollectionWhite 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+4350N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Yawkey, W.H., Fort and Shelby Streets, Detroit, MIRick Morrison Collection.Image courtesy of Rick Morrison. Michigan #4662 is painted on reverse side of both plates.
1907+4355N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Day, Britton T., 11319 Hessler Road, Cleveland, OHUnknown Private Collection, formerly Plunkett Collection.Image courtesy of Dave Steckley taken at 1975 Ontario meet.
1907+4402N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Preils, W., 160 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NYKnown CollectionImage courtesy of owner.
1907+4455N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Davis, Geo. A., 936 Ellicott Square, Buffalo, NYUnknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Manny Jacob (likely from ebay)
1907+4480N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Simons, Geo. C., St. Mary's, PAUnknown Private Collection. Pair, currently attached to an original 1907 Ford Model N.Image courtesy of Fawcette Motor Carriage.
1907+4610N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Van Der Voort, Wm. Ostrom, 1533 Williamson Building, Cleveland, OHNorm Ratcliffe CollectionImage courtesy of Norm Ratcliffe
1907+4726N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Miller, G., 139 Yonge Street, Toronto, OntSold at Miller and Miller Auctions Dec 2019Image courtesy of Miller and Miller Auctions
1907+4763N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Craig, Percy L., 112 E. Lincoln Avenue, Newcastle, PASwigart Museum CollectionImage courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+4871N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Wills, C. H., Greenville, MIEric Taylor CollectionImage courtesy of Facebook.
1907+5044N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Redfield, John V., Grosee Point, MIFrank Crooks CollectionImage courtesy of Corb Moister Jr.
1907+5167N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Dobbin, C., Park Street, Waterloo, OntScott Craig Collection
1907+5299N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Lyons, Thos. W., 430 Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NYKeith Murphy CollectionImage courtesy of Joe Sallmen
1907+5299N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Lyons, Thos. W., 430 Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NYBill Collins CollectionImage courtesy of Krystian Kozinski
1907+5418N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Blong, Robert C., 65 Woodlawn Ave., Toronto, OntFor sale on Shackbid May 2026.Image courtesy of Shackbid
1907+5523N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Schram, Dr. J. S., London, OntDon Goodfellow CollectionImage courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+5535N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Hood, F. E., M.D., 720 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, OntFormer Bill McNevan collection. For sale on HiBid Jan 2021.Reverse side contains a Gutta-Percha embossed seal. Image courtesy of HiBid.
1907+5773N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907T. J. Fair, Brantford, OntKrystian Kozinski CollectionImage courtesy of Krystian Kozinski
1907+5813N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Dobie, Wm., cor. King and Duncan Streets, Toronto, OntUnknown Private Collection, formerly Plunkett Collection.Image courtesy of Dave Steckley taken at 1975 Ontario meet.
1907+6131N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Keller, Phillip, 2013 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NYEric Taylor CollectionPair.
1907+6252N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907McAdie, W., Oshawa, OntSwigart Museum CollectionImage courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+6501N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Brown Bros. Teeswater, OntKnown 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+6642N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Davies, W. H., Aylmer, OntAlan Bones CollectionImage courtesy of Alan Bones. Also pictured, pg 80 Ontario License Plates – A Century of History by (Sallmen)
1907+6916N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Vallery, F., Belwood, OntOn display at Eva Brook Donly Museum, Simcoe Ontario.Internet Image
1907+7067N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Mather, W.M., M.D., Tweed, OntPete Salway Collection
1907+7097N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Keller, James, 726 Auburn Avenue, Buffalo, NYMike De Vouge CollectionImage courtesy of Mike De Vouge
1907+7155N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Clement, S. M., 737 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NYUnknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Gary Irish
1907+7264N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Moore, Mrs. E. S., Greensburg, PAJoe Sallmen CollectionImage courtesy of Joe Sallmen
1907+7684N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Thompson, S. A., Brighton, OntMike Butters CollectionImage courtesy of Mike Butters
1907+7719N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907No recordSeen at a Hamilton area flea marketImage courtesy of Jon Upton
1907+8426N/A - Issued during or after 1907N/A - Issued during or after 1907Chas. A Grant, 192 Pape Avenue, Toronto, OntJon Ilnytzky CollectionImage 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: 21

YearPlate NumberOriginal RegistrationCurrent OwnershipDetailsPicture
19108656Myles, Robt. G., 109 Simcoe Street, Toronto, OntMTO ArchivesLowest surviving 1910 issue as of this writing. Image courtesy of Jim Becksted (2000).
19108718G.M. Farrington, Picton, OntTerry Ellsworth CollectionMissing cut-out circle bottom right corner.
19108757Keehn, A., Stratford, OntCrosshill estate saleImage courtesy of HiBid
19108794S. Hendrie, Grosse Point Farm, MichiganUnknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Norm Ratcliffe
19108952Pearson, E. A., Picton, Ont. Registered to a navy blue Cadillac VIN 46179. Frank Crooks CollectionPair. Image courtesy of Facebook
19108970No record (late year registration)Brian Woodard Collection
19109052No record (late year registration)Frank Crooks CollectionPair, courtesy of Frank Crooks
19109211No record (late year registration)Eric Taylor CollectionImage courtesy of Eric Taylor
19109215No record (late year registration)Jon Upton Collection Pair. Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions
19109221No record (late year registration)Alan Bones CollectionImage courtesy of Alan Bones
19109326No record (late year registration)Corb Moister Jr. Collection; formerly Mike Duff.Image courtesy of Corb Moister Jr.
19109384No record (late year registration)Keith Murphy CollectionImage courtesy of Keith Murphy
19109395No record (late year registration)Eric Vettoretti CollectionOriginally from Hamilton CAA office display
19109452No record (late year registration)Dave Steckley CollectionImage courtesy of Dave Steckley
19109453No record (late year registration)Tim O'Connor collectionImage courtesy of Europlate. Lower portion has been rebuilt post manufacture
19109483No record (late year registration)Harold Cook collection.Image courtesy of 1973 ALPCA newsletter. Current whereabouts to be confirmed.
19109484No record (late year registration)Jeff Francis CollectionImage courtesy of Dave Steckley
19109738No record (late year registration)Jon Upton CollectionHighest 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, four 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: 4

YearPlate NumberOriginal Registration Current OwnershipDetailsPicture
190723No RecordMTO ArchivesImage courtesy of Jim Becksted (2000).
1908260Walter H. Gurd, 185 Dundas St., London, ONUnknown Private CollectionFor sale at Miller & Miller Auctions Jan 2019. Image courtesy of Miller & Miller Auctions.
1908293No RecordUnknown Private CollectionSold on ebay in 2011 from Plunkett collection. Ebay Image.
1910413No RecordEric Vettoretti CollectionAlso 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: 17

YearPlate NumberOwnershipDetailsPicture
1905 Replica Motorcycle14David Steckley CollectionSingle ply of rubber, white numbers painted on.
1905 Replica Motorcycle22Eric Vettoretti CollectionTwo-ply rubber with white cloth in between; numbers cut out of first ply to expose white cloth.
1905 Replica78Ken LeBlanc CollectionImage courtesy of Thomas Zimmermann
1905 Replica448Unknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Terry Ellsworth. 1905-1909 rubber plates did not feature a province name.
1905 Replica589Unknown Private CollectionSeen in person and looks to be owner replacements from 1905. Not Ministry issued, but aged rubber and fabric backing along with old bolt gromets. Also found with legitimate 1911 pair issued to a "J.A./G.A. Eddington" of Toronto from 1905 to 1911.
1905 Replica844Unknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Terry Ellsworth
1905 Replica1414Unknown Private CollectionFor sale Kidd Family Auctions Oct 2024
1905 Replica1441Unknown Private CollectionFormerly in the Hayes collection, current whereabouts unknown.
1905 Replica1908Unknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Jon Upton. Barrie Flea Market
1910 Replica910Ken LeBlanc CollectionImage courtesy of Thomas Zimmermann
1910 Replica3864Pictured in Bruce Lobay's Canadian plates pocket book.Image courtesy of ALPCA archives. 1905-1909 rubber plates did not feature a province name.
1910 Replica5658Unknown Private CollectionImage courtesy of Jon Upton. 1905-1909 rubber plates did not feature a province name.
1910 Replica8565Unknown Private CollectionSold at Warren Hasting's Auction in 1996. Current whereabouts unknown.
1910 Replica8565Gary Edwards CollectionDifferent from above since no "Ontario". Fiberboard.
1910 Replica9438Gary Edwards CollectionFiberboard.
1910 Replica9438Ralph Boyer CollectionAttached to his 1910 Ford. Replica was made from the original plate that was issued in Michigan.