War ration book four book 4 introduced julyaugust 1943. You see, the war caused shortages of all sorts of things. They had to register and buy their food from their chosen shops. The mechanics of the rationing programs changed over time but remained replete with red tape, including coupons, certificates, stamps, stickers, and a changing point system. Mar 16, 2011 the office of price administration used opa stamps, coins and chits for rationing. Historical contextthe united states started nationwide food rationing in 1942 during world war ii. Under those committees were about 1,300 local food offices, and these did all the detailed work of licensing food dealers, enforcing orders and distributing the ration books.
Ask anyone who remembers life on the home front during world war ii about their strongest memories and chances are they will tell you about rationing. They had to register and buy their food from their chosen. With the onset of world war ii, numerous challenges confronted the american people. The above photo are blue ration stamps from a real war ration book number two. 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. These ration books were issued to doris and montague corri. At times however, stores were unable to supply citizens with the small allotments of. World war ii put a heavy burden on us supplies of basic materials like food, shoes, metal, paper, and rubber. It is the allocation of scarce resources and consumer goods. Identification of item, in the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946, david m. To help produce the glycerin needed by the military, housewives also collected kitchen waste fats. Each american citizen was issued a series of ration books which contained removable stamps specific to particular items or types of items, with a designated. Ever wondered what the distribution of food and other scarce resources looked like during the world war ii.
Guide to the world war ii rationing collection, 19421945. With not a single person unaffected by the war, rationing meant sacrifices for all. Rationing using ration stamps is only one kind of nonprice rationing. Civilians still needed these materials for consumer goods as well. For most of the war years and after, the rationing of food took five principal forms.
A look back at the canadian ration coupon books of ww2. Rationing was not only one of those ways, but it was a way americans contributed to the war effort. During world war ii rationing was designed primarily to distribute scarce goods reasonably equitably. Heres a look at what those ration books and rationing stamps looked like. Green and blue stamps were used for processed foods such as canned and bottled fruits, juice, vegetables, soup, baby food, frozen food, spreads and dried foods. Rationing was introduced in the us during the second world war when the country was appealed to by the british to cut their. Examples of books 1 through 4 are represented with many different names associated with the booklets. 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. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in. The small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. The stamps came in books like postage stamp books, they both look similar to each other.
Palmer for office of war information, march 1943 universal history archiveuig via getty images rationing was a fact of life during world war ii. 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 7. Even though i was born in oct of 1941 i had one and what was not used i still have. The british population emerged healthier than it had ever been before, and families had been educated in putting nutritional, frugal meals on their tables. Civilians first received ration books war ration book number one, or the sugar book on 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000 schoolteachers, pta groups, and other volunteers 7. Opa tokens were used for rationing during world war ii. There is a note on the back of the book that reads. Chief among these alterations was the introduction of food rationing in 1942. World war ii ephemera wwii war ration books acorn signal enemy equipment form. Learn more about rationing for the war effort during world war ii with.
The events on december 7, 1941 catapulted the united states into world war ii. Rationing was regulated by the office of price administration and ration books holding stamps used for purchasing goods were distributed to all citizens. S policy instituted during emergencies, but mostly wartime. During world war ii all types of goods were rationed. Rationing of food lasted for 14 years and ended on july 4, 1954. Jan 25, 2012 a familys ration books from world war ii. The government was always able to honour all ration coupons, and food prices during the war rose by only 20%.
The government found it necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time. Aug 31, 2018 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. Your first ration book has been issued to you, originally containing 28 war ration stamps. 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. These photos captured what happened when the united states. In order to purchase a particular commodity, money wasnt enough. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 19421947. War ration books two, three, and four contained blue stamps for processed foods and red stamps for meat, cheese, and fats. The countrys entrance into the war meant many changes on the home front.
The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. Mar 08, 2018 food items during wwii, usa, alfred t. In order to conserve strategic war materials, rationing of commonplace items was instituted in 1942. The office of price administration used opa stamps, coins, and chits for rationing. 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. Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help. Ration books were exceedingly valuable to american consumers during the war, and people even carried them in special holders to keep them safe. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar. Rationed items were items of limited quantity because the soldiers needed the items to aid them in fighting the war. Tokens used for rationing during world war ii there are 30 different red tokens and 24 blue ones. A bas relief panel on the world war ii memorial in washington, d.
The coupons, smaller than postage stamps, were for staples like sugar, gas, coffee and milk. The army and navy were growing, as was the nations effort to aid its allies overseas. The buyer had to present ration stamps to purchase an item. Coupons and rationing during world war ii dealhack. 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. What are ration stamps and why were they used during world war 2. 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. A difficult time for the united states war history online. War ration stamps were a common item, and they are not in high demand as a collectible item, making their value fairly low. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states.
How the ministry of food managed food rationing in world war. During the second world war, americans were asked to make sacrifices in many ways. Ever wondered how much food a person was entitled to during world war two. 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. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. While war ration stamps are not rare, many people find this type of historical memorabilia interesting. How the ministry of food managed food rationing in world. Americans also coped with rationing and coupon books by engaging in a widespread system of bartering. On april 27, 1942, families registered for ration books at. Food rationing and canning in world war ii national.
Opa tokens were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. A home vegetable garden created to boost food production during world war ii ration books stamps or coupons issued by government during wartime. Ration book used during world war ii with sheets of stamps inserted in the middle. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war two. 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. 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. Harbor and americas subsequent entrance into world war ii, it became apparent that voluntary conservation on the home front was not going to. Each stamp or coupon authorized the holder to purchase rationed goods in the quantities and at. Items that were rationed include canned goods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas and more. Booklets were consolidated from diverse donations in the past. Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Finally there are forms, permits and receipts concerning the use of rationing coupons.
All red and blue ration stamps were worth 10 points. The above photo are blue ration stamps from a real war ration book number. Food rationing and canning in world war ii national womens. World war i following nearly three years of intense combat since the.
To assist with rationing, ration books were introduced on 15 july 1918 for. Each person received 64 red stamps each month, providing 28 ounces of meat and 4 ounces of cheese per week. It was a difficult period for the united states of america as the resources were not as abundant as she has now. The collection gives a good indication of the process in how rationing coupons were. What are ration stamps and why were they used during world. A ministry of food was created to help with the homefront food situation, and rationing was introduced starting with sugar in december 1917, then with meat and butter in february 1918. Jun 10, 2011 over the course of the second world war, more than 11 million ration books like the one pictured above, which comes by of the genealogy site rootsweb were issued to canadians who, like those in the uk and later the us, also saw dairy and meat rationing. To meet this surging demand, the federal government took steps to conserve crucial supplies, including establishing a rationing. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and cooking fat were also on the ration. Make it do meat and cheese rationing in world war ii. At an auction less than a week later, i found another group of ration books for a family with children.
Opas were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Individuals were issued a ration book and several sheets of stamps. Eventually, the rationed food items extended to canned fish and milk, meat, cheese, and other processed foods. Also there were stamp books for sugar and gasoline, coffee, shoes and many more items. These books contained stamps and gave precise details about the amount of meat, gasoline, sugar, and other important items that a person was allowed to buy. World war two ration stamp points release dates living like. Blue stamps were good for canned goods such as vegetables and dried fruits. Apr 12, 2020 in order to avoid hoarding, as we have seen evidence of during this coronavirus pandemic, many items were rationed during world war ii. What is the value of world war 2 ration books with. Ration stamps were widely used during world war ii by both sides after hostilities caused interruption to the normal. Homefront during the second world war, you couldnt just walk into a shop and buy as much sugar or butter or meat as you wanted, nor could you fill up your car with gasoline whenever you liked. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 1942.
Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. Sugar allowance coupon for home food processing 1 pound, 19421945. During the second world war, you couldnt just walk into a shop and buy as much sugar or butter or meat as you wanted, nor could you fill up your car with gasoline whenever you liked. Along with gasoline, sugar, coffee, processed foods, meat, and cheesefats and oils were rationed. Interestingly, the ration books issued during world war two attempted to capture these items. Going grocery shopping and cooking may be a chore, but not like it was during world war ii. Jun 24, 2019 interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. War ration book two book 2 introduced january 1943. Rationing began on 8th january 1940 when bacon, butter and sugar were rationed. Opa coins commonly called opas were used for change for food.
Jul 10, 2015 they found out through newspaper and grocery store posts when stamps were valid and when they expired. Processed foods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas, clothing, and gasoline were all rationed. Rationing was part of life on the us home front during world war ii. Also, contained in the collection is a 1946 government pamphlet entitled, rationing in world war ii, that discusses the program. Image detail for wwii ration books value wwii ration stamps victory gardens. This meant families were only allowed a small amount each. The united states started nationwide food rationing in 1942 during world war ii. During the second world war, canadians became accustomed to rationing, which forced them to submit coupons in order to purchase commodities that the government had designated as scarce. Instructions on how to use the stamps were extremely complicated. In britain, during the first world war, 1914 to 1918, queues for food had become dangerously long. Americans had to register to receive a war ration book filled with special stamps they could use to buy these specific items. Make offer world war ii 1943 ration book four w stamps pennsylvania d. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942.
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. 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. May 03, 2011 britain would do better during the second world war, 1939 to 1945. But it was the shortages of various types of food that affected just about everyone on a daily basis. Ration books of world war ii arizona historical society. Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, services, or an artificial. Sep, 2017 the events on december 7, 1941 catapulted the united states into world war ii. Interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. This new ration book, replacement for present books when their stamps are used up, will be distributed during the early summer. 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. 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. 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.
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