War ration books and tokens were issued to each american family, dictating how much. 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. Now before anybody starts on about respecting gifts, im not selling it, its just every time i look at it i see something extremely valuable, from a historical reference point of view. Us ration point guide poster with tables for april 1944. The books are for members of the kirkwood family, including the three children whose ages range from 2 to 6 years old. February 18, 1944 opa investigators audited the books of the war price and ration board 1 at 350 california st. Producing the ration books was one of the largest print jobs in u. The following is a set of instructions that came with every ration book. February 20, 1944 green ration stamps for processed foods expired today.
At the start of the second world war in 1939, the united kingdom was. Ration book used during world war ii with sheets of stamps inserted in the middle. 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. 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. During world war ii rationing was designed primarily to distribute scarce goods. When tokens came into use, the purchaser could receive three tokens, each worth one point, in exchange. The small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. An antihoarding, prorationing poster from the united states in world war ii. Jun 24, 2019 interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. Jan 25, 2012 the site genealogy today offered a database to search for ration books. Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. War ration book one circulated from may 4, 1943, to april 30, 1944.
War ration books three and four book three became active in september 1943, but was replaced by book four on november 1, 1943. Purchasers had to present ration books with them when shopping so that the. Us ration point guide poster with tables for february 1944. Staining, soiling and other cosmetic damage would detract from the resale value of your wwii era ephemera. Ration books and cards 1 ration book holder containing used ration books and cards war ration book two 5 405721 blank 683938b betty ellen white 683939b eleanor h. It will limit their purchases of sugar beginnning around the middle of march. Jul 11, 2016 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. Food rationing appeared in poland after the first world war, and ration stamps were in use until the end of the polishsoviet war. Mar 04, 20 war ration books three and four book three became active in september 1943, but was replaced by book four on november 1, 1943. At auction, the two sets of ration books did not generate a lot of bids. The work of issuing ration books and exchanging used stamps for certificates was. Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires, bicycles, typewriters, sugar, shoes, fuel oil, gasoline, and food which were issued by.
I have two war ration books, and i wonder if they are worth keeping or should i cash them in. But dont sell it untill you get a good idea of the prices people are getting for that kind of thing. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. Despite regulation, prices rose, and opa began rationing scarce consumer goods under. 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. To assist with rationing, ration books were introduced on 15 july 1918 for butter, margarine, lard, meat and sugar. Make it do rationing of canned goods in world war ii. An advantage of tokens was that they never expired, while the stamps did. Millions of ration books were issued during world war ii. Four different series of war ration books were issued. The system was simplified on february 27, 1944, when all stamps became worth ten points, and plastic tokens were issued as change. What is the value of war ration book four with stamps inside. We are seeking ration book covers manufactured by private companies such as banks and others. War ration books were produced by the united states office of price.
Rationing of processed foods started march 1st, 1943. Feb 12, 2012 last year my mum gave me a ration book that dates back to world war 2, shes a hairdresser and one of her customers, an old lady, learnt that i was interested in history and gave me 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. Rationing was introduced temporarily by the british government several times during the 20th century, during and immediately after a war. Ration book four also included spare stamps that were occasionally validated for the purchase of five extra pounds of pork. Rationing began on 8th january 1940 when bacon, butter and sugar were rationed. Youll notice that they change slightly throughout the war.
Heres a look at what those ration books and rationing stamps looked like. The items rationed included canned goods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas and more. Newman war ration book five basic gasoline ration supplemental gasoline ration transportation. Lot wwii civil air defense, sterling silver pin, warden arm band, clothes 1943. See more ideas about books, world war and world war two. In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were issued. Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires. They were intended to prevent the hoarding of such goods as coffee, sugar, meat and other items in short supply due to the war. Rationing the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. What is the value of world war 2 ration books with all the. There is a note on the back of the book that reads. Area camp san luis obispo for the 1898 camp merriam just north of the lombard street entrance to the presidio in san francisco. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them.
As dday is recognized around the world this weekend june 6, 1944. Brief history opa stands for office of price administration tokens replaced the green ration stamps for processed food on feb 20, 1944 stopped being issued in 1945 used to ration retail items during the end of wwii. Fuel oil ration class 4a consumer coupons zone b2, 1944. Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.
Your first ration book has been issued to you, originally containing 28 war ration stamps. The above photo are blue ration stamps from a real war ration book number two. During the war, average calories intake decreased only three percent, but protein intake six percent. Original ww ii us home front collectibles for sale ebay. It was thought that even if japan does not fold now, the war will certainly be over before the books can be used.
Interesting question, since i have some as family heirlooms, meaning they are not for sale. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. The point value of all rationed foods will be published and posted in each store. Object this poster is part of the rationing program established by the office of price administration in the us during world war ii describing the food ration points effective january 30, 1944. The denominations issued range from as little as five cents all the way up to twenty dollars. It will limit their purchases of sugar beginnning around the middle of march to 12 ounces per individual per week. World war ii opa red point ration tokens wwii, rare mm. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and cooking fat were also on the ration. Food rationing lasted for 14 years in britain, from 1940 until 1954. With the pending capitulation of japan, the printing of ration books for 1946 was halted by the opa on august, 1945. The site genealogy today offered a database to search for ration books.
Office of price administration opa froze prices on. Pricing depends on rarity, and they get more value, the more. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. Common world war ii donations the national wwii museum. Jan 31, 20 the small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Other meat value of 1 shilling and 2 pence equivalent to 2 chops cooking fat 4 oz. 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. Local boards served as registrars, delivered the books to distribution points, and provided instruction. 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.
Military payment certificates mpc were issued from 1946 until 1973. They were printed in fifteen series and used in 22 different countries during that 27 year period. The first two images explain how ration books were to be used. They usually contain patriotic messages about their part in the war effort. Collection includes eight ration books from 1943 to 1944. Curatorial has many ration booklets and stamps, but our education department is still looking for ration books. Its holder could purchase onehalf pound of sugar per week half the normal consumption. Vintage war ration book holder, war sugar purchase certificate, four copies of ration book 4, war ration stamps, 1940s world war ii items fabulousvintagestore from shop fabulousvintagestore.