A father, mother, or guardian may sign the name of a person under 18. These were required before rationed goods could be purchased. All store items had a price marked as well as a ration book stamp requirement. Historical price to book ratio values for walmart wmt over the last 10 years. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front, 1942. Could rationing hold the key to todays food crises. The a, b, and c series of green stamps in ration book 4, which will be issued during the last week of october, will be valie for the purchase of canned fruits and vegetables starting nov. The kind and amount of rationed commodities were not specified on most of the stamps and were not defined until later when local newspapers published, for example, that beginning on a specified date, one airplane stamp was required in addition to cash to buy one pair of shoes and one stamp number 30 from ration book four was required to buy 5.
In the event the departure from the united states of the person to whom this book is issued, or his or her death, the book must be surrendered. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. Rationing using ration stamps is only one kind of nonprice rationing. A complex system of rationing, administered by the us office of price administration opa, was put in place with stamps, ration booklets and some other similar systems. Ration definition, a fixed allowance of provisions or food, especially for soldiers or sailors or for civilians during a shortage. War ration stamps were a common item, and they are not in high demand as a collectible item, making their value fairly low.
Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. Red and blue stamps have been from ration book number two. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. Ration stamps of world war ii official website eiu. World war ii gasoline ration stamps and mileage card, grosse. Us ration point guide poster with tables for april 1944. Some clothing stamps were eventually validated for shoe rationing. But dont sell it untill you get a good idea of the prices people are getting for that kind of thing. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. An a sticker allowed the driver 3 or 4 gallons a week. Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. Rationing the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. The small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps.
The typical car owner received an a gas ration coupon booklet, allowed 150 miles of driving per month and only 3 gallons per week, but if someones job required them to drive further then the a book allowed them they would be eligible for the b gas ration coupon booklet. Walmart price to book ratio 20062020 wmt macrotrends. The office of price administration used opa stamps, coins and chits for rationing. To assist with rationing, ration books were introduced on 15 july 1918 for butter, margarine, lard, meat. Any person finding a lost book must deliver it promptly to the nearest ration board. The ration books originally contained stamps equal to one pound of sugar a week. Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires. Because of these shortages, the us governments office of price administration established a system of rationing that would. Cataloging information for additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related. Interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale.
Below is a list of the available surnames in our collection of canadian ration books. 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. Lot of wwii war ration books coupons and military book united states pa. Stamp books were distributed directly to each adult and child, about one. Quickly determining stamp collecting values, or finding out how much a stamp collection or single postage stamp is worth, should be easy. The front cover of the war rations book is featured on the picture above. 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. 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. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. 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. What you need to know about rationing in the second world. The back reads never buy rationed goods whitout ration stamps never pay more than the legal price.
Stamps from the country of poland are available in a variety of sizes, formats, and issue years. By the end of april larger sized gummed sheets opa form r120a, each holding 100 food stamps from war ration book 4, will be available at your. Two world war ii war ration book four with stampsissued. The paper stubs, or stamps, in each ration book purchased rationed consumer goods and foods. Ration book four was printed in red, blue and green. Thus, a scarce can of beans might have a point value of 14 while a more plentiful can of corn might have a. There is an overwhelming amount of information to learn but that info isnt easy to find or use. Staining, soiling and other cosmetic damage would detract from the resale value of your wwii era ephemera. Ration book four also included spare stamps that were occasionally validated for the purchase of five extra pounds of pork. The amount of gasoline you received during world war ii depended on whether your job was essential to the war effort. Only stamps of one kind can be pasted on any one sheet. Jul 11, 2016 the a, b, and c series of green stamps in ration book 4, which will be issued during the last week of october, will be valie for the purchase of canned fruits and vegetables starting nov. The stamps contained in this book are valid only after the lawful holder of this book. Ration stamps were widely used during world war ii by both sides after hostilities caused interruption to the normal supply of goods.
Ration stamps were widely used during world war ii by both sides after hostilities caused interruption to the normal. Green stamps will be replacing blue stamps in new ration book 3. Pricing depends on rarity, and they get more value, the more provenance you can document tying it to. 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 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.
To simplify the system, only six shades of leather were produced. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. War ii ration coupon collection, 19421946, david m. During the time of war, men, women and children all had to manage with hardset limits on certain resources. The scheme was designed to ensure fair shares for all at a time of national shortage. Click on the surname to see a listing of matching ration book images. Two world war ii war ration book four with stampsissued houston texas. Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. 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. The work of issuing ration books and exchanging used stamps for certificates was handled by some.
The office of price administration opa warned americans of potential gasoline, steel, aluminum, and electricity shortages. The ministry of food was responsible for overseeing rationing. For any misuse of this book, it can be taken from the holder. What is the value of world war 2 ration books with all the. All car owners received a letter windshield stickers and a gas ration coupon booklet. Later, the stamp value changed, and citizens were allowed only a half pound per week. Jan 31, 20 the small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. These ration booklets contained various small stamps which had no cash value, but were required to purchase food items for example four b stamps for each pound of ground beef or five a stamps for a bag of sugar. See more ideas about wwii, ration stamp and wartime recipes. What you need to know about rationing in the second world war.
Learn more about rationing for the war effort during world war ii with research. 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. War ration books and tokens were issued to each american family, dictating. May 02, 2020 the ration books originally contained stamps equal to one pound of sugar a week. Digital collection wwii war ration book 4 american centuries. Mckeough, office of price administration regional head, announced yesterday. Opa coins commonly called opas were used for change for food. World war ii gasoline ration stamps and mileage card. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar. These sheets hold 25 blue or red 10point stamps and may be used for sugar and spare stamps from war ration book 4. Despite regulation, prices rose, and opa began rationing scarce consumer goods. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front. 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.
Wwii us war rations books and stamps this page describes the way in which resources such as gas and sugar were rationed and distributed to the civilian population in the united states during wwii. Get the best deals on wwii ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. Each man, woman, and child could purchase up to three pairs of leather shoes a year, using designated stamps in war ration book one, and later in books three and four. Jan 08, 2018 in january 1940, the british government introduced food rationing.
The point value could fluctuate depending on scarcity and grocers were required to keep current official point lists posted. Note the first stamps in war ration book one will be used for the purchase of sugar. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. Identifying stamps is complex requiring extensive research, knowledge, and experience. Jun 24, 2019 interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. This book of stamps or coupons help the driver keep track of rationed fuel. Several photographs of the paperwork needed to obtain food and gas are displayed here.
How much are food ration stamp books worth answers. Items that were rationed include canned goods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas and more. Every man, woman and child was given a ration book with coupons. On february 7, 1943, the united states instituted rationing of leather shoes to begin on february 9. Make offer original war ration book one 1943 certificate of registration c. This new ration book, replacement for present books when their stamps are used up, will be distributed during the early summer. Vintage polish postage has changed drastically over the years as many were issued under different governments. Drivers received a windshield sticker and ration coupons for gasoline. A person could not buy a rationed item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp.
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. Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, services, or an artificial. 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. Here are some of the stamps and booklets they were using across the. At the bottom it reads when you have used your ration, salvage the tin cans and waste fats. Once a persons ration stamps were used up for a month, she couldnt buy any more of that type of food. Ration stamps came inside the book and had to be presented so you could actually buy rationed goods. Office of price administration, the paper stubs, or stamps, in each ration book purchased rationed consumer goods and foods.
An advantage of tokens was that they never expired, while the stamps did. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. Prefix fnfy war ration book fours are harder to find than the suffix books and are. In january 1940, the british government introduced food rationing. The last canadian ration book was issued in september 1946, with rationing formally concluding in 1947. Government to purchase food, petrol and other household goods during the duration course of war. Ration book four also introduced red and blue cardboard tokens, each valued at onepoint, to be used as change for ration coupon purchases.
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