I found a 1948 Illinois trap tag attached to the base of a Victor 1 1/2 longspring. It was in a bunch of traps that I bought at a flea market in Texas. I plan on leaving it on as I figure it adds some value as a wallhanger for an Illinois trapper. How common are these and how much value could I expect the tag to add to an otherwise $5.00 trap?

I guess it must be really common or uncommon?

Can someone at least fill me in on how these worked? Did you buy the tag (say in 1948) and leave it on for the life of the trap or just how did they work and for what purpose?

I've got a couple of the tags from Ill. Not sure the years. They were on a couple 1 1/2's I had. Asked a trap collector at a convention about them, he said Illinois tags were pretty common. As were the other state(s) I have. They're in the fur shed somewhere. Thought they were neat, but I'm not much a collector of anything.

From 1937 to 1953 the state of Illinois required these tags on each trap. You got 25 tags per license. If you wanted to set 100 traps you needed to buy 4 licenses. They are fairly common, the most collectible would be unused tags or ones that say BEAVER or TENANT on them. Most people or collectors say that 1952 was the last year but I have one from 1953. Is there anyone else you has a 1953 tag? Other serious collectors have never seen one from 1953.

Louie

Thanks for the great information.

So during that period did you have to get a new tag each year or each trap? Or did the 1948 tag continue to be valid?

You needed to buy tags each year for each trap. That is why you see some traps with multiple tags from different years.

Thanks! You never know what you will find on a trap even on a bunch that looked like everyday Victors.

as a collector...I have seen a 1953 as well..I do not have one yet..I have many from 1937-1952 including beaver tags, and fakes (ebay has fakes that float around alot) value very based on conditions, clarity, etc...ive paid $.50 for hand fulls to $50 for the harder to find ones....A gentleman I know has them all that he has tried to sell off and on to me for $250..I dont want to by them as I enjoy the hunt for them...