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Governor

The first Governor plate was issued in 1912. It is quite possible that more than one plate was produced per year. It cannot be said with complete certainty that all of the plates pictured below were actually in use on cars. This comment is based partially upon the lack of any wear marks around the bolt holes on some plates. It is also possible that a plate was used for a short period, given to someone as a prized souvenir or gift, and immediately replaced by another identical plate. Some of the above comments were provided by Eric Conner.

Prior to 1929, the history of Governor plates is a little spotty, as no #1 plate bore the word "GOVERNOR". Eric has not seen or heard of any Governor plates from the 1920s with the exception of 1929, although a #1 for the "Official" type is known for 1926.

Eric also points out that no “Governor” or #1 plates from the "Youve Got a Friend Base" to present have surfaced. It is believed that Governor Thornburgh (1979-1987) was the last governor to use the #1 license plate. See article on first Governor's Plate: Governor Leads - First Governor Plate Article


1920 - 1929



1920

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1921

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1922

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1923

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1924

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1925

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1926

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Plates measure 6" x 12"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Colors: dark blue on gold

According to the eBay seller, ultrararecollectables, who gave me permission to use the image, it was used by Governor Gifford Pinchot, and the plate was a gift from the Governor to the seller's grandfather who was the caretaker of Grey Towers in Milford, PA at the time. The seller's father received the plate when he passed and the seller in turn when he passed. There is no further provenance available at this time. Grey Towers in Milford, PA was the home of Gov. Pinchot. No plate back this far in history has been documented with the word Governor, so it is entirely possible that the earliest plates with a legend used the term Official prior to the use of Governor. Pinchot served as Governor from 1923 to 1927 and from 1931 to 1935.

From eBay (ultrararecollectables)
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1927

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1928

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
No information is known for this year. Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1929

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Plates measure 6" x 12"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Colors: gold on dark blue

Used by Governor John Fisher.

From eBay
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format