Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. Ration books of world war ii arizona historical society. Nov 24, 2015 when purchasing gasoline, a driver had to present a gas card along with a ration book and cash. Ration books were very valuable and had to be presented to the grocery clerk. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. A ration book is a series of coupons collected together into book form. Ration books three and four were issued in 1943 and used through 1945. More the day before gasoline rationing started 1942. The army and navy were growing, as was the nations effort to aid its allies overseas. Interestingly, the ration books issued during world war two attempted to capture these items. Between 1942 1947, the government issued four different series of ration books.
Civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar bookon 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000 schoolteachers, pta groups, and other volunteers. The ration book gave the people a fair share of these hard to get items. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. At an auction less than a week later, i found another group of ration books for a family with children.
Meat was rationed from 11th march 1940 and unlike all rationed foodstuffs it was done by shillings and pence instead of pounds and ounces. Within a matter of weeks of these two staples being rationed, coupon books began to be issued to canadians from coast to coast citizens filled out applications and were mailed ration books in the post, the first wave of which was sent out on august 31, 1942. In where treetops glisten, my main character, meredith, is a nurse on the war front. Food rationing and canning in world war ii national. In where treetops glisten, my main character, meredith, is a nurse on. Rationing was introduced temporarily by the british government several times during the 20th century, during and immediately after a war at the start of the second world war in 1939, the united kingdom was importing 20 million long tons of food per year, including about 70% of its cheese and sugar, almost 80% of fruit and about 70% of cereals and fats. Every american was entitled to a series of war ration books filled with stamps that could be used to buy restricted items along with payment, and within weeks of the first issuance, more than 91. An eager school boy gets his first experience in using war. This is an original world war ii united states ration book, printed in 1943. Vintage wwii world war 2 war ration book dated 1943 stamps united. During world war ii, ration books were distributed to families by the office of price administration opa to help regulate food shortages as a result of the war.
Rationing for the war in the united states began in 1942 and ended in 1946. Ration stamps were valid only for a set period to forestall hoarding. During christmas 1945 she is stationed in the netherlands, and the fighting is. Jan 14, 20 this is a view of the interior of the school where 67 teachers were on hand to examine applicants in new york, may 4, 1942. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. How the ministry of food managed food rationing in world. The october 21, 1943 edition of the pocahontas times reads. At around that time, the war production board wpb ordered the end of all civilian automobile sales. In 1942 rationing had started for sugar, gasoline and other goods. Jan 07, 2015 book five, already printed when japan surrendered, was not distributed. War ration book 4 will be distributed to the citizens of pocahontas county at school houses on thursday and friday, october 21 and 22. War ration books were produced by the united states office of price administration in 1942 when united states officially entered the second world war. The opa accepted ration book applications and issued ration books, from which consumers tore out stamps in order to purchase food and other supplies at grocery stores.
This meant families were only allowed a small amount each. American civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar bookon 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000 school teachers, pta groups and other volunteers 7 sugar was the first consumer commodity rationed. Book five, already printed when japan surrendered, was not distributed. In the united states, nationwide food rationing was instituted in the spring of 1942, and each member of the family was issued ration books by the office of price administration opa. In the united states, nationwide food rationing was instituted in.
Office of price administration opa froze prices on. Operators of the home were told they could keep the gift, but thed have to declare it and detach the proper number of stamps. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. Civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar bookon 4 may 1942.
Can you tell me more about rationing from this period and what the ones i have might be worth. Almost all foods apart from vegetables and bread were rationed by august 1942. Coffee by november 29, 1942, stamps 1928 in book one were designated as coffee stamps. Going grocery shopping and cooking may be a chore, but not like it was during world war ii. Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help. Then came book two in january 1943, book three in october 1943 and book four near the end of 1943 all of which contained various items. Ration books began to be distributed a week or so after morrisons announcement, and two months later rationing started. Background paper contains stylized great seal and the phrase u. Food rationing lasted for 14 years in britain, from 1940 until 1954. Ration books were given to everyone in britain who then registered in a shop of their. An eager school boy gets his first experience in using war ration book two.
World war ii put a heavy burden on us supplies of basic materials like food, shoes, metal, paper, and rubber. It contains four pages of point stamps, similar to the point stamps in war ration book 2, though slightly different in. What you need to know about rationing in the second world war. Shortages of essential war materials such as rubber, gasoline, and sugar were initially anticipated, but soon rationing grew to include food as well as fuel and sugar. March 1, 1942 food rationing begins nationwide the. Yes, ration book two like war ration book one now used for sugar and coffee may be. War ration book two ration coupons on the home front, 1942. If your war ration book one was issued to you on application by a member of your family, the number of stamps torn from the books of the family was based on the amount of sugar owned by the family, and was divided as equally as possible among all the books.
Holders like these would help protect the book and its stamps. Jul 11, 2016 more than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. Civilians still needed these materials for consumer goods as well. Ever wondered how much food a person was entitled to during world war two. Ap photo youngsters at a childrens home in seattle, wash. Ration book two introduced blue stamps for the rationing of processed foods. Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires, bicycles, typewriters, sugar, shoes, fuel oil, gasoline, and food which were issued by the office of price administration between 1942 1946.
The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. To meet this surging demand, the federal government took steps to conserve crucial supplies, including establishing a rationing. May 22, 2015 during the war, many things were rationed. Chief among these alterations was the introduction of food rationing in 1942. Each stamp authorized a purchase of rationed goods in the quantity and time designated, and the book guaranteed each family its fair share of goods made scarce, thanks to the war. The government introduced rationing because certain things were in short supply, and to ensure that everyone got their fair share. Youll notice that they change slightly throughout the war.
What is the value of world war 2 ration books with. As 42 wore on, other foods such as coffee and tea made it onto the ration list. Jul 26, 2014 in going through moms things in the last few months i found her war ration book two. During spring 1942, the government introduced rationing of certain consumer items that were in short supply. Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires, bicycles, typewriters, sugar, shoes, fuel oil, gasoline, and food which were issued by the office of price administration between 19421946. The following is a set of instructions that came with every ration book. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946.
Yes, ration book two like war ration book one now used for sugar and coffee may be used by any member of the household to whom the book is issued. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Every american was entitled to a series of war ration books filled with stamps that could be used to buy restricted items along with payment, and within weeks of. Your first ration book has been issued to you, originally containing 28 war ration stamps.
War ration books and tokens were issued to each american family, dictating how. No matter the country, the contents of ww2 rations were similar, including some kind of crackers or biscuits, sweets or chocolates, and cigarettes. What is the value of war ration book four with stamps inside. Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. War ration book four 1943 office of price administration private collection. These were required before rationed goods could be purchased. War ration book two 1942 office of price administration private collection. May war ration book two be used by any member of the family. Civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar book on 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000 schoolteachers, pta groups, and other volunteers 7. When the second world war began in september 1939 petrol. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two. Learn more about rationing for the war effort during world war ii with research starters at the. The book is issued in her name catherine carrico, of springfield, washington county, kentucky.
The countrys entrance into the war meant many changes on the home front. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war two 1942. The coupons were exchanged at shops and outlets when buying supplies for the family. Any member of the family may use all the familys ration books. Rationing of processed foods started march 1st, 1943. With many parents engaged in war work, children are being taught the facts of point rationing for helping out in family marketing. Rationing began on 8th january 1940 when bacon, butter and sugar were rationed. Ration book one was issued in may 1942, book two in january 1943, book three in october of 1943, and book four towards the end of 1943. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 1942. Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were issued. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and cooking fat were also on the ration.
Each stamp or coupon authorized the holder to purchase rationed goods in the quantities and at the times authorized by the office of price administration. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war two. This meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food. Jan 31, 20 antique world war ii ration books are not rare,antiques expert larry cox answers readers questions about world war ii ration books, blakely china and commemorative coins. Bacon and ham were rationed to 4ozs a week, sugar to 12ozs and butter to 4ozs. Rationing is a vital part of your countrys war effort. Meat rationing continued for 10 years after dday june 1954 in 1946, when food was just as short as during the preceding years, bread was added to the ration and the sweet ration was halved. These were issued during war time when food and other items like petrol, gas, clothes etc were in short supply. Bakeries, ice cream makers, and other commercial users received rations of about 70% of normal usage. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. A look back at the canadian ration coupon books of ww2. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. Memories of the emergency in ireland during world war two.
The first two images explain how ration books were to be used. Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services, or an artificial. Four different series of war ration books were issued. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. She is listed as eleven years of age so the year would have been 1942. War bond stamps could also be purchased at 10cents each, to eventually accumulate enough stamps to buy a bond. Vintage 1942 set of 12 war food ration stamp books with. By january 5, 1942, the office of price administration designated automobile tires to be the first item to be rationed. War ration books were produced by the united states office of price. Ration book stamps were torn out and presented along with payments at grocery stores and other locations. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front, 1942. Reproduction ww2 rations during the second world war, each country had its own version of a field ration. Rationing remained a way of life until the summer of 1945, although sugar continued to be controlled in some places. Stamps lettered a,b,c were to be used only during mar.
A message about food from the president of the united states in this fourth year of war the need for food is greater than ever before. Ration book number 4 inside 1943 office of price administration private collection. Although the united states did not have food rationing in world war i, it relied heavily on. War ration book two ration coupons on the home front. This assembled collection consists of war ration books 1, 2, and 4 issued in the states of maine and massachusetts, an application for war ration book 3. Guide to the world war ii rationing collection, 19421945. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front. The events on december 7, 1941 catapulted the united states into world war ii. War ration book one 1942 office of price administration. Shortly after the commencement of world war two, rationing was introduced in canada on january 24, 1942, to limit the use of imported food and to free up supplies for the military and their allies. I recently inherited my familys world war ii ration books, including paper coupons and coins. This book is your governments guarantee of your fair share of goods made scarce by. Each book required different identification and some were more detailed than others.