Annual tax plate for bicycles, used to certify payment of the bicycle tax in effect in France during the Belle Époque. These embossed metal plates, bearing a clearly legible year, were affixed to the bicycle frame or fork to allow for immediate visual verification by the authorities. The varied designs, combining raised numerals, crowns, and typographic borders, attest to the graphic richness of early 20th-century tax records. Authentic example, sold individually, with a patina consistent with its original use.
✦ Origin: France ✦ Estimated period: Early 20th century ✦ Dimensions: Approximately 4 to 6 cm depending on the model ✦ Material: Stamped metal (light alloy / aluminum or thin brass) ✦ Condition: Signs of wear, oxidation and age-related marks, date still legible
An old tax accessory linked to the history of cycling and urban regulations, ideal for a collection on vintage bicycles, the Belle Époque or French administrative objects.
