Velology

Velology is the study and collection of vehicle tax discs, [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3487315.stm|title=10 things we didn't know this time last week|date=2004-02-13|publisher=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=2008-06-27] a circular certificate placed on the windscreens of road vehicles to prove that vehicle tax has been paid. The word was created by combining the acronym VEL (Vehicle Excise License) and -ology.Hill, p. 5] Collectors are known as velologists.

Origins

The collection of tax discs was first popularised by Elite Registrations, dealers in license plates, and has since developed a niche following. In response to the interest, a collectors magazine, "The Velologist", is published monthly. [ [http://www.velology.com/ The Velologist] ] The study of expired and historical tax discs is also a central component of an affiliated industry: the production of replica age-appropriate tax discs for collectors of vintage and classic cars; these can be legally displayed alongside the required modern disc or Exemption certificate.

Collectors value specimens which are intact, unfaded and rare. Those of particular interest include Emergency discs (serial number prefaced with an E, issued when supplies of normal discs were interrupted) and Welsh language discs. [Hill, p. 50] Another variation was the "Farmers' disc", identified by an "F", which was displayed on agricultural vehicles.

History of tax discs

In the United Kingdom, Vehicle Excise Duty was first introduced in 1920. It became compulsory for all motorists to display a tax disc from 1 January, 1921.Hill, p. 7] Initially, they were issued quarterly or annually. Early discs were made from plain paper, without perforations; the selvedge was cut or folded to create the main circular shape. [Hill, p. 8] Colour printing was introduced in 1923. [http://www.britishtaxdiscs.co.uk/History.htm History of the Tax Disc] ] Advertising on the reverse of the disc was allowed from 1924, with companies such as Shell Oil placing advertisements. [Hill, p. 12–13] This was abolished in 1926, after which the reverse showed text relating to the refund available for unexpired licenses. [Hill, p. 14] Perforations were used from 1938, enabling a better fit within the standard disc holders; however, the perforations were missing from 1942 to 1952, perhaps as a result of equipment damage during the war. In 1961 major changes occurred, with a redesign of the printed pattern – for better security – and a new system of monthly issues, rather than the standard December expiry of the past. From then on, the expiry month was displayed. From 2001, watermarking and embossing were added to prevent fraud.

Notes

References

* Hill, Tony; (2006) "Trade and Collect Tax Discs" UK: Collecticus ISBN 978-1873313107 excerpts available [http://books.google.com/books?id=YezEXexDsegC online]

External links

* [http://www.velology.com/ The Velologist]
* [http://www.britishtaxdiscs.co.uk/History.htm History of the Tax Disc]
* [http://vehicletaxdiscs.com/ Vehicle Tax Discs]