Massachusetts license plates

Massachusetts antique auto
Originally uploaded by sixes & sevens

Earlier this week I was chatting with my friend and colleague Dan about my 1956 license plate photo documentation project. He made a bid for my doing Massachusetts next, a suggestion I was glad to take up: I have no particular order in mind for adding states to the collection. Besides, unlike some states Massachusetts actually had interesting plates in 1956.

The decision was made easier when Dan had to dash up to the Cape to be with his dad during emergency surgery and recovery. I've never met his dad; and this peculiar little project of mine is insignificant compared to family and health. But I'm happy to dedicate this set of plate photos to Daniel Senior, his complete recovery, and to a Christmas surrounded, rightly so, by his family.

Comments

[lipcan3]

Thanks Ross! Interesting twist on the 1956 theme with the window decal renewal. They kept the white-on-maroon scheme for decades, if my memory serves me correctly.

I imagine most states developed some sort of consistent plate identity, which appears to be waning a bit with the rise in specialty and cause plates. A boon for collectors, maybe, but the variety of new PA plates (for example) are perhaps less Pennsylvanian?

[Ross]

Shoot, you got right to the fact that I can't find my window stickers to add to the photo array. They should well up eventually.

Yes, indeed, those alternating maroon and dark green base plates said 'Massachusetts' for decades (1927-1966). It was also long before we decided it was easier to read plates with a (boring!) white background. And those very distinctive Mass. dies? Ah, those were the days.

Massachusetts has been far more restrained about issuing specialty plates than most states, and its approach is comparatively low-key. Not that they're any less cartoon-y than those from other states.