1942 war ration books

Although the united states did not have food rationing in world war i, it relied heavily on. As 42 wore on, other foods such as coffee and tea made it onto the ration list. War ration books were produced by the united states office of price administration in 1942 when united states officially entered the second world war. As you can see from some of the ration books, she lists her age as 35. Before the second world war started britain imported about 55 million tons of food a year from other countries. Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help. The coupons were exchanged at shops and outlets when buying supplies for the family. Identification of item, in the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946, david m.

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. What is the value of world war 2 ration books with all the. The small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. To conserve rubber and gasoline, a countrywide speed limit of 35miles per hour was implemented. These books were among the 100 million issued by the government from 1942 to 1945 as goods became scarce and imports slackened or dried up. This meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food. United states of america war ration book one may 4, 1942. What would be the value, if any, of war ration books. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942.

Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. Other meat value of 1 shilling and 2 pence equivalent to 2 chops cooking fat 4 oz. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front, 1942. War ration book two ration coupons on the home front, 1942. In order to conserve strategic war materials, rationing of commonplace items was instituted in 1942. By the end of the war, about 5,600 local rationing boards staffed by over 100,000 citizen volunteers were. Doctors, nurses, and fire and police personnel could purchase new tires.

The aim was to make sure that everyone got his or her fair share and to free up resources to fight the war, which the country had entered in 1941 after the bombing of pearl harbor. For the most part, rationing benefited the health of the country. Four different series of war ration books were issued. In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were issued. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. Ration books of world war ii arizona historical society. Each stamp or coupon authorized the holder to purchase rationed goods in the quantities and at. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. A collection, from various sources, of ration books and stamps used by minnesotans during world war ii. Jul 11, 2016 this meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food.

Food rationing and canning in world war ii national womens. 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. Civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar book on 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000 schoolteachers, pta groups, and other volunteers. Rationing began on 8th january 1940 when bacon, butter and sugar were rationed. What is the value of war ration book four with stamps inside. War ration books ww2 1942 large lot mileage sugar more. Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest. This is a green leather world war ii 1942 ration wallet. 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. Food rationing lasted for 14 years in britain, from 1940 until 1954. Each member of a family was issued their own books.

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. Apr 20, 2020 generally, during world war ii, ration books were issued once a year, though the beginning of the issue year could vary. The countrys entrance into the war meant many changes on the home front. Ration books had descriptions of the owner of the book, including height, weight, eye color and age. The below ration books belonged to maude elizabeth haas williams, of whom i shared a photograph in an earlier post. More the day before gasoline rationing started 1942. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 19421947. The ration book gave the people a fair share of these hard to get items. These ration books were issued to doris and montague corri. 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. Initially, each stamp was good for one pound of sugar and could be used over a specified twoweek period.

On june 28, 1942, each stamp became good for two pounds of sugar over a fourweek period. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. This is an original world war ii united states ration book, printed in 1943. Civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar bookon 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. Before the war, britain imported 55 million tons of food, a month after the war had started this figure had dropped to 12 million. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. 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. Individuals used these books daily to purchase rationed goods such as sugar, butter, beefsteak, and gas.

Tires were the first product to be rationed, starting in january 1942, just weeks after the attack on pearl harbor. 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. Records from war ration books for genealogy world war two. The first two images explain how ration books were to be used.

Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. War ration books ww2 1942 large lot mileage sugar more 7a. 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. Dec 01, 2011 the below ration books belonged to maude elizabeth haas williams, of whom i shared a photograph in an earlier post.

Guide to the world war ii rationing collection, 19421945. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services, or an artificial. Each stamp or coupon authorized the holder to purchase rationed goods in the quantities and at the times authorized by the office of price administration. Memories of the emergency in ireland during world war two. These were issued during war time when food and other items like petrol, gas, clothes etc were in short supply. Holders like these would help protect the book and its stamps. During the war, average energy intake decreased by only 3%, but protein intake by 6%. Rationing was regulated by the office of price administration and ration books holding stamps used for purchasing goods were distributed to all citizens. Stamps lettered a,b,c were to be used only during mar. Ration books were given to everyone in britain who then registered in a shop of their. This new ration book, replacement for present books when their stamps are used up, will be distributed during the early summer. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. 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.

March 1, 1942 food rationing begins nationwide the. 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. 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. Coupons and covers coming off the press, on large rolls. 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. A series of four books were given out in the united states, and on the back of each was the slogan, if you dont need it, dont buy it. World war ii ration books bridgeport history center.

Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. With the onset of world war ii, numerous challenges confronted the american people. A person could not buy a rationed item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp. By the end of the war, about 5,600 local rationing boards staffed by over 100,000 citizen volunteers were administering the program. The following is a set of instructions that came with every ration book. Ration books were very valuable and had to be presented to the grocery clerk. 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.

Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. Maudes husband clarence did not serve in the war due to his age 52 according to his book two. Jan 25, 2012 these books were among the 100 million issued by the government from 1942 to 1945 as goods became scarce and imports slackened or dried up. Shortages of essential war materials such as rubber, gasoline, and sugar were initially anticipated, but soon rationing grew to include food as well as fuel and sugar. Every member of the public was issued with a ration book. To help the process, ration books were introduced in july 1918 for butter, margarine, lard, meat, and sugar. From what i can tell they are from 19421945 approximately. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and cooking fat were also on the ration. The events on december 7, 1941 catapulted the united states into world war ii. A ration book is a series of coupons collected together into book form. Youll notice that they change slightly throughout the war. Food is a weapon the rationing of goods in us during wwii. A look back at the canadian ration coupon books of ww2. Ask anyone who remembers life on the home front during world war ii about their strongest memories and chances are they will tell.

It contains 2 ration books with stamps and ration receits it is in excellent condition. Shortages of essential war materials such as rubber, gasoline, and sugar were initially anticipated, but soon rationing grew to. War ration book one 1942 office of price administration. The first war ration stamps given out were for sugar. This ration book belonged to luella runck of oxford, indiana. Office of price administration opa froze prices on practically all everyday goods, starting with sugar and coffee. Every american was issued a series of ration books during the war.

This assembled collection consists of war ration books 1, 2, and 4 issued in the states of maine and massachusetts, an application for war ration book 3. The government found it necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time. Within a matter of weeks of these two staples being rationed, coupon books began to be issued to canadians from coast to coast citizens filled out applications and were mailed ration books in the post, the first wave of which was sent out on august 31, 1942. War ration book two 1942 office of price administration private collection. Your first ration book has been issued to you, originally containing 28 war ration stamps.