Vehicle licence plates are eagerly collected and traded internationally and electronically on the Internet, although there is little evidence of Irish collectors in this field. According to Mr Peter Geoffroy, director of Whyte's auction house in Dublin: "It's one we haven't come across here. It's not anything I've come across as a collectible."

But check out the Web.For instance, pl8s.com would appear to be a good starting place for people feeling smitten by the bug of licence plate collecting. The site offers a grading chart, a glossary of terms, a magazine, information about clubs and publications, US diplomatic plate codes, licence plate books, links, online meeting points and classified advertisements. It notes that many collectors start by collecting a plate from each of the US states and that "you can whip up a decent set for around $150, and sometimes even less".

It provides reviews of and links to scores of websites for licence plate collectors. For instance, it describes one site, the ALPCA (Automobile License Plate Collectors Association) home page, as "very slick", it loads like lightning and has lots of useful information such as plate cleaning tips, trivia and photographs.

Reviewing an Australian site, pl8s.com lauds its "sharp, clean graphics. The photos are topnotch, and there are a lot of them, including many of the countless graphics available in Australia".

I checked out "Bill's License Plate Trading Page", described by pl8s.com as having some pictures of unusual and scarce plates from South Korea. Bill Phillips Jr describes himself on his site as a licence plate collector from Great Falls, Montana.

He developed the site "to share photos and information about the hobby of plate collecting". Describing his feelings about the hobby, he said he collects licence plates because he enjoys them, adding: "I find as much enjoyment in meeting the hundreds of interesting people along the way as I do the plates themselves."

As for values, "a plate is only worth what another collector will pay or trade for it", he says.

Preferring trading to selling, he'll sell if another collector doesn't have a plate to trade. "When trading I expect to pay the postage on all plates I ship out and I expect the same in return."

Then, describing his current interests, which include "any plates with purple in them" and "foreign plates", the site lists his "wants" and his "trades".

Pl8s.com provides a pictorial guide to licence plate conditions and grades. For example, "mint" is described as "flawless, unused and perfect, with no marks on the bolt holes. "Excellent" is defined as "superior condition, marks on the bolt holes, but no major flaws overall". At a lower grade, "fair" is described as "well below average condition, approx 50 per cent paint rust, creases, dents, extra holes". The website has an international section describing, and showing a picture of, the style of licence plates in many countries around the world, including Ireland. It said that the first licence place issued here was in 1904.

A spokesperson for the Department for the Environment said that before the foundation of the State, the letters I and Z were assigned to Ireland. Accordingly, the letters allotted to licensing authorities pre-1987 contained one or both of these.

For instance, Kilkenny, now KK, was IP before 1987. Neither I nor Z was used in Britain by mutual understanding with the British authorities. The letters were unique to Ireland, North and South. Collectors can post free ads on pl8s.com. Recent ads included 1953 and 1954 Hawaii licence plates for $125 each. Another ad was for a mint Virginia "leaves" licence plate ($65), mint Illinois "antique vehicle" licence plate ($40), and various others ranging from $45 to $55 each.

Another collector has posted a "wanted" ad for 1949 Virginia licence plates, offering to pay "$50 or less". If you have licence plates and are wondering what they might be worth, you could follow the lead of another entry in the ads section.

It reads: "Info needed. Found a 1948 taxi cab license, City of Abilene, Texas, and a 1949 physician's license, Abilene, Texas. Anyone know what they are worth?"

Website: www.pl8s.com jmarms@irish-times.ie