I do not know anything else about this young man, or what became of him. When tokens came into use, the purchaser could receive three tokens, each worth one point, in exchange. Image detail for wwii ration books value wwii ration stamps victory gardens because of food shortages in world war 2 the government gave out ration books. Vintage world war ii ration book, ration stamps, ration book holder, drug. The office of price administration opa was in charge of this program, but it relied heavily on volunteers to hand out the ration books and explain the system to consumers and merchants. What is the value of world war 2 ration books with. Coupons and rationing during world war ii during world war i, rationing was a voluntary movement, and the united states government relied on americans to voluntarily restrict their consumption of goods and commodities as a part of the war effort. 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. Discussion in community center started by uncle alan, aug 26, 2010.
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. This book is the property of the united states government. Each person received 64 red stamps each month, providing 28 ounces of meat and 4 ounces of cheese per week. This article may feature affiliate links to amazon or other companies, and purchases made via these links may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you. In 1942, during ww2, rationing of different foods, gas, and clothing began. Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. Four different series of war ration books were issued. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 1942. Some items, such as sugar, were distributed evenly based on the number of people in a household. These little 6x4inch books were printed with tiny stamps representing points, and were a kind of currency with an expiration date. In order to purchase a particular commodity, money wasnt enough. Individuals were issued a ration book and several sheets of stamps. Coupons and rationing during world war ii dealhack.
I was given a war ration book four with almost all the stamps still in it by a friend of my now deceased mother whom the friend. Ration books, stamps, and tokens an anti hoarding, prorationing poster from the united states in world war ii. The typical car owner received an a gas ration coupon booklet, allowed 150 miles of driving per month and only 3 gallons per week, but if someones job required them to drive further then the a book allowed them they would be eligible for the b gas ration coupon booklet. World war ii ration books bridgeport history center. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. 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.
Six different series of books were issued, however, only book one had serial numbers printed on them. Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Blue stamps were good for canned goods such as vegetables and dried fruits. World war ii 1943 ration book with stamp sheets tanks aircraft carriers planes this is an original 1943 war ration book from tacoma, washington with stamp sheets. Print or photocopy onto coloured card and staple together. Processed foods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas, clothing, and gasoline were all rationed. War ration book two ration coupons on the home front, 1942.
A person could not buy a rationed item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. It is interesting to note that some cookbooks published during the war featured sugarless recipes so home cooks could more easily comply with the rationing program. Ration books of world war ii arizona historical society. A complex system of rationing, administered by the us office of price administration opa, was put in place with stamps, ration booklets and some other similar systems. Green stamps will be replacing blue stamps in new ration book 3. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. Items cost a certain number of the stamps, and once youd used up your stamps for the month, you couldnt but more. 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. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high.
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. The above photo are blue ration stamps from a real war ration book number two. All car owners received a letter windshield stickers and a gas ration coupon booklet. World war two ration stamp points release dates living like.
Under the food rationing system, everyone, including men, women, and children, was issued their own ration books. The first war ration stamps given out were for sugar. Ration books world war ii 1943 1945 description this small collection consists of world war ii ration books and related information issued between 1943 and 1945. 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. World war ii ration book three stamps history activities. If a stamp is torn out of the war ration book in any other way than above. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 19421947. These points came in the form of stamps that were distributed to citizens in books throughout the war. Rationed items were items of limited quantity because the soldiers needed the items to aid them in fighting the war.
I have wwii ration books 14 and would like to know what each stamp allowed you to buy. Mar 23, 2007 i have wwii ration books 14 and would like to know what each stamp allowed you to buy. The public went to their local designated ministry of food offices to collect their ration books. Stamps lettered a,b,c were to be used only during mar. Sep 18, 2011 here is the once lost color version of how to use your ration coupons. Jun 24, 2019 interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. Even though i was born in oct of 1941 i had one and what was not used i still have. The work of issuing ration books and exchanging used stamps for certificates was handled by some 5,500 local ration boards of mostly volunteer workers selected by local officials.
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. Ration book four also introduced red and blue cardboard tokens, each valued at onepoint, to be used as change for ration coupon purchases. It contains four pages of point stamps, similar to the point stamps in war ration book 2, though slightly different in design and printed in. Ration books were given to everyone in britain who then registered in a shop of their choice. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front, 1942. Food rationing and canning in world war ii national. Jun 10, 2011 canadian ration books, to cover miscellaneous items and others that stood to possibly become rationed at a later point in time after the book had been rationed. Here are some of the stamps and booklets they were using across the. Though the following links do not answer your queries exactly, they do provide further highly interesting information on canadian ww2 rationing. How the ministry of food managed food rationing in world war. This new ration book, replacement for present books when their stamps are used up, will be distributed during the early summer.
Each household filled out an application and ration books were mailed out on monday 31 august 1942. In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were issued. War ration books two, three, and four contained blue stamps for processed foods and red stamps for meat, cheese, and fats. Jan 31, 20 the small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Staining, soiling and other cosmetic damage would detract from the resale value of your wwii era ephemera. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. I have looked all over the internet and have found explanations of how the rationing work during the way, but not how the stamps themselves worked. 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. Once a persons ration stamps were used up for a month, she couldnt buy any more of that type of food. Identification of item, in the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946, david m. The amount of gasoline you received during world war ii depended on whether your job was essential to the war effort.
The stamps contained in this book are valid only after the lawful holder of this book has signed the certificate below, and are. To conserve rubber and gasoline, a countrywide speed limit of 35miles per hour was implemented. A look back at the canadian ration coupon books of ww2. This is another extremely rare collectible book two wwii war ration books, along with stamps inside, is a musthave for any historical collector. An advantage of tokens was that they never expired, while the stamps did. World war ii ration stamps and the buy of the week, a fibber mcgee and molly game.
During the second world war, you couldnt just walk into a shop and buy as much. All about victory meat patties a ww2 food ration recipe. Each page is separate so you can include what you need. The coupons, smaller than postage stamps and stuffed into three little booklets, were for staples like sugar, gas, coffee and milk. Find great deals on ebay for world war 2 ration books. The government rationed food, so that feed civilians and soldiers at war as well. A world war 2 ration book template containing 12 pages and a front and back cover. An a sticker allowed the driver 3 or 4 gallons a week. This particular picture, is a section from the ration book, which contained meat stamps. 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. Red stamps were used later when meat, fish and dairy products were added to the rationed foods each person was allowed 48 blue points and 64 red points per month. Find great deals on ebay for ww2 rations and vietnam rations.
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. Every american was issued a series of ration books during the war. Booklets were consolidated from diverse donations in the past. Each stamp was illustrated with a military symbol such as a naval ship, airplane, tank, gun, horn of plenty or torch of liberty, adding a patriotic flair.
Cadillac man finds book of wwii ration stamps news. 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. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. Make it do meat and cheese rationing in world war ii.
Any member of the family may use all the familys ration books. Distributed may 20, 1943 the coupons used for food and other commodities. A responsible person in the household could pick up and sign for the ration booklets for everyone in the household. 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. War ration book two book 2 introduced january 1943. Imagine what it was like during world war ii, when rationing meant you. Food is a weapon the rationing of goods in us during wwii. World war ii ration book three stamps these are the world war ii ration stamp books of young william walton smith jr. Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires, bicycles. It contains four pages of point stamps, similar to the point stamps in war ration book 2, though slightly different in. Note the first stamps in war ration book one will be used for the purchase of sugar. World war ii rationing stamps program, 19431946 overview of the collection title world war ii rationing stamps program dates 19431946 inclusive 1943 1946 quantity 1 box. Drivers received a windshield sticker and ration coupons for gasoline.
A ration stamp or ration card is a stamp or card issued by a government to allow the holder to obtain food or other commodities that are in short supply during wartime or in other emergency situations when rationing is in force. Ration book four also included spare stamps that were occasionally validated for the purchase of five extra pounds of pork. Ration stamps were widely used during world war ii by both sides after hostilities caused interruption to the normal. Interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. Ration book four was printed in red, blue and green. It contains four pages of point stamps, similar to the point stamps in war ration book 2, though slightly different in design and printed in brown ink. During the 1940s, everyone had ration cards with stamps inside that they could exchange for. Wwii ration book holder and 3 ration books with stamps, wwii collectible. Ration stamps of world war ii eastern illinois university. Pricing depends on rarity, and they get more value, the more provenance you can document tying it to particular families, particular persons, and so on. War bond stamp book from world war ii prev next during both world wars, treasury realized that selling bonds to the poorest americans was good for the war effort because it helped to reduce inflation and tie the interests of a wide swath of the public to that of the national government. Eventually, most foods were covered by the rationing system with the exception of fruit and vegetables. World war ii gasoline ration stamps and mileage card.
The office of price administration opa was in charge of rationing consumer goods such as sugar, coffee, shoes, household appliances, and other goods during world war ii. How to use your ration coupons color version youtube. A book of stamps signed by someone famous would, of course, be worth even more. The first ration book was introduced in the us in 1942, with people receiving their first one on may 4 th the same year.
Dec 01, 2011 making an exception to my pre1922 only rule, here are some high quality scans of u. Examples of books 1 through 4 are represented with many different names associated with the booklets. Jul 10, 2015 red and blue stamps have been from ration book number two. It began after the start of ww2 with petrol and later included other goods such as butter, sugar and bacon. Once a persons ration stamps were used up for a month, she couldnt. A ration book was issued to each person and each child. War bond stamp book from world war ii museum of american. During world war ii all types of goods were rationed. These books contained stamps and gave precise details of the amounts of certain types of food that you were allowed. War ration stamps were a common item, and they are not in high demand as a collectible item, making their value fairly low.
During the time of war, men, women and children all had to manage with hardset limits on certain resources. War rationing 19401949 fashion history movies music. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. I forgot to schedule a thanksgiving post, so after the rabid consumerism many americans display on black friday weekend and throughout the christmas shopping season, i think this topic is, in a way, highly relevant to the holidays. Individuals wishing to purchase foods under the red points scheme, which included meat, fish and dairy, were issued with 64 points to use per month. Rationing of processed foods started march 1st, 1943. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Some clothing stamps were eventually validated for shoe rationing. Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. Rationed foods were categorized as either needing red or blue points. The buyer had to present ration stamps to purchase an item. Background paper contains stylized great seal and the phrase u.
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