The ration book gave the people a fair share of these hard to get items. 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. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front. 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. During spring 1942, the government introduced rationing of certain consumer items that were in short supply. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high.
Rationing began on 8th january 1940 when bacon, butter and sugar were rationed. Rationing for the war in the united states began in 1942 and ended in 1946. At around that time, the war production board wpb ordered the end of all civilian automobile sales. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. No matter the country, the contents of ww2 rations were similar, including some kind of crackers or biscuits, sweets or chocolates, and cigarettes. Most of these items were from a special set assembled by the library of congress after the war. War ration book one 1942 office of price administration. With many parents engaged in war work, children are being taught the facts of point rationing for helping out in family marketing. 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. Ration books of world war ii arizona historical society. War ration book two 1942 office of price administration private collection. Make offer war ration books ww2 1942 large lot mileage sugar more. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
This collection consists of unused certificates, coupons and stamps issued by the united states government office of price administration opa on certain goods that were rationed during world war ii. War ration book two book 2 introduced january 1943. War ration book four 1943 office of price administration private collection. 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. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands. What is the value of war ration book four with stamps inside.
Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. Q i have two objects in my possession that i would like to know more about. 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. 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.
The first two images explain how ration books were to be used. Youll notice that they change slightly throughout the war. Can you tell me more about rationing from this period and what the ones i have might be worth. 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. Background paper contains stylized great seal and the phrase u. I recently inherited my familys world war ii ration books, including paper coupons and coins. 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. Find great deals on ebay for ration books and ww2 ration books.
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. Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help. Memories of the emergency in ireland during world war two. Mileage certificate undated world war ii rationing stamps program, 19431946. On june 28, 1942, each stamp became good for two pounds of sugar over a fourweek period.
During the second world war, each country had its own version of a field ration. The a piqued my interest and brought me back to the days of gas rationing. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. This was to prevent hoarding and to ensure everyone got. Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. An eager school boy gets his first experience in using.
To get a classification and a book of rationing stamps, one had to appear before a local rationing board. 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. With not a single person unaffected by the war, rationing meant sacrifices for all. 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. Between 1942 1947, the government issued four different series of ration books. This book is your governments guarantee of your fair share of goods made scarce by war, to which the stamps herein will be assigned as the need arises. The following instructions apply to your first book and will. Even though the war officially came to an end in 1945, rationing continued in canada late in the 1940s due in part to the fact that canada was shipping a lot of food and other goods to help out in postwar europe, with the last ration book being issued in september 1946. Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. Army field ration type c bunit was one of the main mre components for the war effort. With the onset of world war ii, numerous challenges confronted the american people. Demonstration of point rationing plan btw 19421945 office of war information library of congress how to. War ration book five undated mileage ration coupons, undated box1, folder4 containers description dates box folder 1 4 item 1.
World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 1942. A brilliant example of a ration booklet that children can use during their learning on the second world war and rationing. Interestingly, the ration books issued during world war two attempted to capture these items. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. Recently, i was walking around a car show and found beautiful cars, many with an a on the windshield. Initially, each stamp was good for one pound of sugar and could be used over a specified twoweek period. Each person in a household received a ration book, including babies and children. Demonstration of point rationing plan btw 1942 1945 office of war information library of congress how to shop with ration book two poster 19431945. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them.
Food rationing lasted for 14 years in britain, from 1940 until 1954. The following is a set of instructions that came with every ration book. In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were issued. Our ww2 ration packages are sold empty and ready for your choice of food. An eager school boy gets his first experience in using war ration book 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. 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. 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. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and cooking fat were also on the ration. The government found it necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time.
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. A ration book is a series of coupons collected together into book form. By january 5, 1942, the office of price administration designated automobile tires to be the first item to be rationed. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. 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.
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. Gas rationing occurred during world war ii 1942, in order to help control gasoline usage. Shortages of essential war materials such as rubber, gasoline, and sugar were initially anticipated, but soon rationing grew to. Your first ration book has been issued to you, originally containing 28 war ration stamps. Ever wondered how much food a person was entitled to during world war two. Blue stamps were good for canned goods such as vegetables and dried fruits. These were issued during war time when food and other items like petrol, gas, clothes etc were in short supply.
Four different series of war ration books were issued. 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. 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. War ration books were produced by the united states office of price administration in 1942 when united states officially entered the second world war. Rationing is a vital part of your countrys war effort. War ration book two ration coupons on the home front. Ration book stamps were torn out and presented along with payments at grocery stores and other locations. On may 5, 1942, each person in the united states received a copy of war ration book one, good for a 56week supply of sugar. Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest online selection at.