This meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food. 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. How many of each war ration book did each family recieve. Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. Ration book number 4 inside 1943 office of price administration private collection. Ration book four also introduced red and blue cardboard tokens, each valued at onepoint, to be used as change for ration coupon purchases. Any person finding a lost book must deliver it promptly to the nearest ration board. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. What is a war ration book four worth with some stamps. What is the value of war ration book four with stamps inside. Ration book four was printed in red, blue and green. Includes 43 black spare stamps, 44 green stamps, 3 orange stamps, and 11 blue stamps. War ration books and tokens were issued to each american family, dictating how.
Institute of museum and library services, administered by the indiana state library. Incarcerated japanese americans still helped out the war effort. Digital collection wwii war ration book 4 american centuries. And book four series were issued towards the end of 1943. In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were. 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. Every american was issued a series of ration books during the war. Ration book four also introduced red and blue cardboard tokens, each valued at. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. Rationing for the war in the united states began in 1942 and ended in 1946. United states of america war ration book one may 4, 1942. 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. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. This project is made possible by a grant from the u.
The stamps contained in this book are valid only after the lawful holder of this book has signed the certificate below, and are void if detached contrary to the regulations. As a matter of fact, when a gallup poll on march 5, 1943, asked americans, do you understand how the food point rationing system works. The paper stubs, or stamps, in each ration book purchased rationed consumer goods and foods. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war. I love history, and have always especially enjoyed history of the era around wwii. Office of price administration begins to ration automobile. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands. Wwii ration book this project is made possible by a grant from the u. Organized by product type, then by number of items.
Two world war ii war ration book four with stampsissued houston texas. Book 4 was a sort of catch all for things like tires and shoes and not one used often. 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. A ration book is a book of coupons which is used to control consumption of certain products which may be in high demand. There is a note on the back of the book that reads. S citizens during a time when homegrown and imported goods became scarce as the country fought a war in europe. The work of issuing ration books and exchanging used. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. Find great deals on ebay for ration books and ww2 ration books. 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. See each listing for international shipping options and costs.
World war ii ration books, 194345 collection information biographical sketch. Allowances fluctuated throughout the war, but on average one adults weekly ration was 1g bacon and ham about 4 thin slices, one shilling and ten pence worth of meat about 227g minced beef, 57g butter, 57g cheese, 1g margarine, 1g cooking. Ration books are particularly associated with the second world war, when many countries experienced shortages of needed consumer goods, and they decided that a rationing system would ensure fair and even distribution. An american child purchases a can of v8, handing the grocer his ration book. Before the use of tokens, people had to present the exact number of points for. Everyone that lived in the us was issued ration books, so they are. 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. World war ii ration stamps and the buy of the week, a fibber mcgee and molly game. The first two images explain how ration books were to be used. Location currently not on view object name war ration book physical description paper overall material measurements overall. Ration book used during world war ii with sheets of stamps inserted in the middle. What ration book number had the sugar 37 stamp, x8 stamp, and spare 66 stamp in it. 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. 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.
Yes, ration book two like war ration book one now used for sugar and coffee may be used by. Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. In 1942 rationing had started for sugar, gasoline and other goods. World war ii ration books cecil thompson world war ii mileage ration book 1945. Number of bids and bid amounts may be slightly out of date. Institute of museum and library services, administered by. 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. Before the use of tokens, people had to present the exact number of points for the purchase of merchandise or forfeit the difference. The most common war ration book material is cotton. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The above photo are blue ration stamps from a real war ration book number two.
Watch 6 ww ii war ration books 4 book one, 2 book no. 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. War ration book one 1942 office of price administration. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. For example, ko takemoto used this war ration book in the interment camps. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires, bicycles. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about war ration book. 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. This book is packed with interesting facts and tidbits along with neat recipes to try. Youll notice that they change slightly throughout the war. Home page ration book search why war ration book no. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. It will limit their purchases of sugar beginnning around the middle of march to 12 ounces per individual per week. A person could not buy a rationed item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp. Four different series of war ration books were issued. This new ration book, replacement for present books when their stamps are used up, will be distributed during the early summer.
I have wwii ration books 1 4 and would like to know what each stamp allowed you to buy. Get the best deals on wwii ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. Interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. On december 27, 1941, the federal office of price administration initiates its first rationing program in support of the american effort in world war ii. I had not seen any of these thin postcardsize books at auction before, but i was familiar with what. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar.