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. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. In general, antique and collectible items are valued by how rare the item is, the demand for the item, what shape the item is in. Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Sugar and sweets were so limited mom and her siblings used to chew on candle wax and other inedible things. 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. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. 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. Why not create a role play area and provide all children with one, allowing them to experience rationing firsthand. A world war 2 ration book template containing 12 pages and a front and back cover.
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. If a stamp is torn out of the war ration book in any other way than above indicated. This shows how scarce food was at the time and how the government controlled and tried to improve conditions at and after the great depression. 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. It still cost money, but you couldnt even buy it unless you had stamps. Four different series of war ration books were issued. 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.
Jul 10, 2015 world war two ration stamp points release dates. Why did the shopkeeper have to stamp your ration book in. Ration books of world war ii arizona historical society. Mar 23, 2007 ration books became a way of life for everyone at home during 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. Civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar bookon 4 may 1942,11 through more than 100,000 schoolteachers, pta groups, and other volunteers.
Every american was issued a series of ration books during the war. Print or photocopy onto coloured card and staple together. I do not know anything else about this young man, or what became of him. The above photo are blue ration stamps from a real war ration book number two. During world war ii rationing was designed primarily to distribute scarce goods reasonably equitably. The stamps contained in this book are valid only after the lawful holder of this book has signed the certificate below, and are. An a sticker allowed the driver 3 or 4 gallons a week.
World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 2 full. 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. Black markets during world war ii perspectives on black. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. While war ration stamps are not rare, many people find this type of historical memorabilia interesting. 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. German submarines attacked many of the ships that brought food to britain. 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. 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. Identification of item, in the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946, david m. Permission to publish material from the world war ii rationing stamps program must be obtained from the special collections manuscript curator andor the special collections department head. Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book.
War ration book two ration coupons on the home front. Parents are responsible for the safekeeping and use of their childrens war ration book. War ration stamps were a common item, and they are not in high demand as a collectible item, making their value fairly low. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat. Those of us who dont remember the war may not think much of the sacrifices made by people at home, as thousands also died abroad.
Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. 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. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front, 1942. The amount of gasoline you received during world war ii depended on whether your job was essential to the war effort. Ration stamps were widely used during world war ii by both sides after hostilities caused interruption to the normal supply of goods. In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were issued. 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. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war. After the dates indicated by such orders, these products can be purchased only through the use of war rations books containing valid war ration stamps. 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. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. World war two ration stamp points release dates living like.
Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. The only way to survive was to implement world war 2 rationing, and soon the ration book would become the most important book in every british household. War ration book two ration coupons on the home front, 1942. War bond stamp book from world war ii museum of american. 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. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war two. Students will increase their understanding of wwii rationing by. World war ii ration stamps and the buy of the week, a fibber mcgee and molly game. Oct 10, 2019 before the start of world war ii the uk imported 55 million tons of food, a mere month after the start of world war ii they imported 12 million. This is a picture of a ration book from world war ii. Each book was numbered, and the stamps inside controlled peoples consumption of things like food, gasoline and even clothing. Rationing of processed foods started march 1st, 1943. Why did the shopkeeper have to stamp your ration book in world war 2.
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. Food rationing lasted for 14 years in britain, from 1940 until 1954. Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. 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. Ration stamps of world war ii eastern illinois university. This meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 1942.
A person could not buy a rationed item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp. Dec 01, 2011 making an exception to my pre1922 only rule, here are some high quality scans of u. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. Make offer world war ii 1943 ration book four w stamps pennsylvania b. Once a persons ration stamps were used up for a month. During world war ii all sorts of essential and nonessential foods were rationed, as well as clothing, furniture and petrol. What is the value of world war 2 ration books with. Government economic control produces lucrative results for underground markets. 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. You had to have ration stamps to buy things at the store. World war ii gasoline ration stamps and mileage card.
Even though i was born in oct of 1941 i had one and what was not used i still have. In order to conserve strategic war materials, rationing of commonplace items was instituted in 1942. In 1942 rationing had started for sugar, gasoline and other goods. World war ii gasoline ration stamps and mileage card, grosse. World war ii ration books, 194345 collection information biographical sketch. During world war ii the united states instituted a rationing program that led to both underground markets and official efforts, including the use of propaganda, to curtail black market activity see figure 1. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. Opa validates new sugar stamp 1946 government publications. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products.
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. World war ii ration books bridgeport history center. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Rubber was the first commodity rationed followed by gasoline and foodstuff such as sugar, coffee, meats butter, canned goods, and shoes and clothing. 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. This book of stamps or coupons help the driver keep track of rationed fuel.
Interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. World war ii ration book three stamps these are the. 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. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 19421947. Vintage lot of 4 world war ii war ration book w stamps inside konczal family.
World war ii ration book three stamps these are the world war ii ration stamp books of young william walton smith jr. Each page is separate so you can include what you need. This small collection consists of world war ii ration books and related information issued between 1943 and 1945. This new ration book, replacement for present books when their stamps are used up, will be distributed during the early summer. Drivers received a windshield sticker and ration coupons for gasoline.
Making an exception to my pre1922 only rule, here are some high quality scans of u. Interestingly, the ration books issued during world war two attempted to capture these items. Jul 11, 2016 this meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food. Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help.
To make the british weak, the germans tried to cut off supplies of food and other goods. Ration books became a way of life for everyone at home during world war ii. Rationing is a vital part of your countrys war effort. Background paper contains stylized great seal and the phrase u. Ration stamps were widely used during world war ii by both sides after hostilities caused interruption to the normal.
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