Complete Listing of All Delaware Plate Types
Passenger & Non-Passenger Special Backgrounds Legislative & Judicial Military & Veteran Colleges & High Schools Misc. Non-Profits Surf & Defunct
Passenger & Non-Passenger →
Dealer
April 6, 1905 - April 30, 1909
Manufacturer: Owner-provided
Material: Varies (usually porcelain or leather)
Colors: Varies
Dimensions: Varies
Pairs/singles?: Unknown
Notes: On January 31, 1905, State Representative M. Howard Jester introduced a bill in the state legislature to regulate the use of automobiles for both residents and non-residents who drive in Delaware. Among other requirements, the bill would require the registration number to be displayed on a tag wth numbers three inches in height. However, the state did not provide these tags, so automobile owners were responsible to get a plate made, usually done at a leather shop or a porcelain sign shop. The bill passed the House on March 16, 1905, the Senate passed the bill on March 23, 1905, and Governor Preston Lea signed the bill into law on April 6, 1905. Very few plates are known in collections today from this era. Dealer Class numbers part of Passenger series.
Serial range observed:
- 1905: No Dealer Class numbers known
- 1906: 228 (per MV records)
- 1907: 432, 433, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 539, 553, 554, and 580 (per MV records)
- 1908: 228, 553, 554, 655, 667, 668, 700, 701, 754, 789, and 836 (per MV records)
- 1909 (thru April 30): 228, 406, 655, 667, 668, 884, 885, 891, 892, 910, 911, 912, 913, 986, and 995 (per MV records)
May 1, 1909 - December 31, 1909
Manufacturer: Horace E. Fine Co (Trenton, NJ)
Material: Porcelain
Colors: White on black
Dimensions: 6.5" x 8.5"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: 1500 - 1506, then 1037 - 1039 (per MV records)
1910
Manufacturer: Horace E. Fine Co (Trenton, NJ)
Material: Porcelain
Colors: Black on white
Dimensions: 6.5" x 7"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Notes: Two variations known: (1) High bolt slots and (2) low bolt slots.
Serial range observed: 1000 - 1055 (per MV records)
From Dave Lincoln
1911
Manufacturer: Horace E. Fine Co (Trenton, NJ)
Material: Porcelain
Colors: White on dark blue
Dimensions: 6.5" x 7"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: 2000 - 2066 (per MV records)
1912
Manufacturer: Baltimore Enamel & Novelty Company (Baltimore, MD)
Material: Porcelain
Colors: White on red
Dimensions: 6.5" x 7"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: 2500 - 2582 (per MV records)
1913
Manufacturer: Unknown
Material: Porcelain
Colors: White on black
Dimensions: 6.5" x 9.75" (Variation 1), 6" x 12" (Variation 2)
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: 3000 - 3093 (per MV records, likely printed on Variation 1 but unconfirmed)
1914
Manufacturer: Baltimore Enamel & Novelty Company (Baltimore, MD)
Material: Porcelain
Colors: Yellow on black
Dimensions: 5.5" x 11" (both variations)
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed:X1 - X450 (per MV records)
1915
Manufacturer: Baltimore Enamel & Novelty Company (Baltimore, MD)
Material: Porcelain
Colors: Indigo on white
Dimensions: 5.5" x 11"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X269 (per MV records)
1916
Manufacturer: New York Metal Ceiling
Material: Steel
Colors: White on green
Dimensions: 7.25" x 15.25"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X407 (per MV records)
From Snookie Vent
1917
Manufacturer: New York Metal Ceiling
Material: Steel
Colors: White on black
Dimensions: 7.25" x 15.25"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X491
From Delaware Public Archives
1918
Manufacturer: Unknown
Material: Steel
Colors: White on brown
Dimensions: 5 1/2" × 13 3/8" (unverified)
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X358 (per MV records)
From Jerry Vandenbraak
1919
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: White on dark blue
Dimensions: 6 5/8" x 13 1/4"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X464 (per MV records)
From Dave Lincoln
1920
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Black on light green
Dimensions: 6 5/8" x 13 3/8"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X583 (per MV records)
From Erik Thompson
1921
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Red on white
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X599 (per MV records)
From Dave Lincoln
1922
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Blue on white
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X450
From Dave Lincoln
1923
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: White on black
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X581 (per MV records)
From Delaware Public Records
1924
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Brown on cream
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X653 (per MV records)
(Repainted)
From Snookie Vent
1925
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Black on orange
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Notes: X750 and X751 issued to tractor dealers.
Serial range observed: X1 - X763 (per MV records)
1926
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Yellow on blue
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Notes: X494 and X495 issued to tractor dealers.
Serial range observed: X1 - X730 (per MV records)
1927
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Red on gray
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X640 (per MV records)
1928
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Black on white
Dimensions: Unknown
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X555
From Dave Lincoln
1929
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Colonial Blue on yellow
Dimensions: 6" x 15"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X673
(Repainted)
From Snookie Vent
1930
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Yellow on Colonial Blue
Dimensions: 6" x 15"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X822
From Dave Lincoln
1931
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Colonial Blue on yellow
Dimensions: 6" x 15"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X679
From eBay
1932
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Yellow on Colonial Blue
Dimensions: 6" x 15"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X822
From Marc Auger
1933
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Colonial Blue on yellow
Dimensions: 6" x 15"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X501
(Repainted)
From Snookie Vent
1934
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Yellow on Colonial Blue
Dimensions: 6" x 15"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X665
From Dave Lincoln
1935
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Colonial Blue on yellow
Dimensions: 6" x 15"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: X1 - X899
From eBay
1936
Manufacturer: Grote Brothers (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Yellow on Colonial Blue
Dimensions: 5 3/8" x 10 1/2"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Notes: Last year for "X" prefix.
Serial range observed: X1 - X844
From Snookie Vent
1937
Manufacturer: Grote Brothers (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Colonial Blue on yellow
Dimensions: 5 3/8" x 10 1/2"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Notes: First year for "D" prefix.
Serial range observed: D1 - D266
From Snookie Vent
1938
Manufacturer: Grote Brothers (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Maroon on silver
Dimensions: 5 3/8" x 10 1/2"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: D1 - D796
From Louis O'Neal
1939
Manufacturer: Grote Brothers (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Silver on maroon
Dimensions: 5 3/8" x 10 1/2"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: D1 - D872
From Dave Lincoln
1940
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Blue on yellow
Dimensions: 6.25" x 10"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Notes: There is no dated 1940 Delaware license plate.
Serial range observed: 10 - 947 (per MV records)
From Worthpoint
1941
Manufacturer: National Colortype Co. (Bellevue, KY)
Material: Steel
Colors: Yellow on blue
Dimensions: 5.5" x 9.5"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs
Serial range observed: D100 - D1137 (per MV records)
From Snookie Vent
1942 - Early 1947
Manufacturer: Baltimore Enamel & Novelty Co.
Material: Porcelain
Colors: White on black
Dimensions: 5.5" x 9.5"
Pairs/singles?: Pairs until March 1943, then singles
Notes: No "D" prefix, "DEALER" tab used in place of month-day tab. It's believed that there was no reserved block of numbers for this base.
Serial range observed: See notes.
From Snookie Vent
Early 1947 - October 1958
Manufacturer: Unknown
Material: Stainless steel
Colors: Silver/off-white (Scotchlite) on black
Dimensions: Varies, see notes and pictures
Pairs/singles?: Singles
Serial range observed:
- Steel numbers, 5.5" x 9.5": D1000 - D2524
- Scotchlite numbers, 5.5" x 9.5": D2684 - D3999
- Scotchlite numbers, 6" x 12": No new numbers observed
(Steel numbers, 5.5" x 9.5")
From Dave Lincoln
(Scotchlite numbers, 5.5" x 9.5")
From Marc Auger
(Scotchlite numbers, 6" x 12")
From Snookie Vent
October 1958 - June 1959
Manufacturer: Unknown
Material: Stainless steel
Colors: Gold on dark blue
Dimensions: 5.5" x 9.5"
Pairs/singles?: Singles
Notes: The state decided to switch to a completely reflective plate (background and numbers) in 1958 but still had a large number of black stainless steel blanks leftover, so early blue & gold plates were those blanks painted blue with gold numbers spot riveted on.
Serial range observed: No new numbers observed
From John Anshant
June 1959 - June 1962
Manufacturer: Unknown
Material: Steel (briefly), then aluminum
Colors: Gold on dark blue
Dimensions: 6" x 12"
Pairs/singles?: Singles
Notes: Two variations: (1) thinner "DELAWARE", straight-leg "R" in "DELAWARE", and (2) thicker "DELAWARE", curved-leg "R" in "DELAWARE".
Serial range observed:
- Thinner "DELAWARE": No new numbers observed
- Thicker "DELAWARE": D4404 - D4779
(Only new registrations shown; numbers from former bases also observed reprinted on these formats)
(Thinner "DELAWARE")
From Anonymous
(Thicker "DELAWARE")
From Snookie Vent
June 1962 - Autumn 1968
Manufacturer: Unknown
Material: Aluminum
Colors: Gold on dark blue
Dimensions: 6" x 12"
Pairs/singles?: Singles
Notes: "THE FIRST STATE" slogan added for the first time. Numbers D10306 and D13113 observed but way outside of the observed range.
Serial range observed: D5299 - D7250
(Only new registrations shown; numbers from former bases also observed reprinted on these formats)
From Plateshack
Autumn 1968 - July 2002
Manufacturer: Demco (Milford, DE)
Material: Aluminum
Colors: Gold on dark blue
Dimensions: 6" x 12"
Pairs/singles?: Singles
Notes: Gold border and sticker box added. Sticker box added "PLACE STICKER HERE" circa 1971. Starting point of #262000 per newspaper article. Riveted numbers are generally replacement plates made at DMV while you waited.
Serial range observed: D8147 - D16698
(Only new registrations shown; numbers from former bases also observed reprinted on these formats)
From eBay
From Jordan Irazabal
(Sticker box & "PLACE STICKER HERE")
July 2002 - Present
Manufacturer: Waldale Manufacturing Limited (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Material: Aluminum
Colors: Gold on dark blue
Dimensions: 6" x 12"
Pairs/singles?: Singles
Notes: Three font variations:
(1) Thin ("Waldale 1", July 2002 - Early 2003)
(2) Thicker ("Waldale 2", Early 2003 - 2006)
(3) Copy of Demco font ("Waldale 3", 2006 - Present)
Beveled edges around plate added around March 2010.
Serial range observed:No new numbers observed (See current high)
(Thin font)
From Jordan Irazabal
(Thicker font)
From Jordan Irazabal
(Demco-style font)
From Jordan Irazabal
(Beveled edges)
From Jordan Irazabal