How the ministry of food managed food rationing in world war. Ration stamps were widely used during world war ii by both sides after hostilities caused interruption to the normal. Ration books were very valuable and had to be presented to the grocery clerk. Living off rations with ration book cooking day one. Rationed items were items of limited quantity because the soldiers needed the items to aid them in fighting the war. During times of uncertainty and disruption, frugal, storable ingredients to make simple, nutritional recipes come into their own. I have wwii ration books 14 and would like to know what each stamp allowed you to buy. The countrys entrance into the war meant many changes on the home front. During the 1940s, everyone had ration cards with stamps inside that they could exchange for. Rogers have enough stamps to buy everything on the shopping list. Jul 10, 2015 red and blue stamps have been from ration book number two. Food is a weapon the rationing of goods in us during wwii. I have looked all over the internet and have found explanations of how the rationing work during the way, but not how the stamps themselves worked. What is the value of world war 2 ration books with.
Processed foods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas, clothing, and gasoline were all rationed. On the home front during world war ii, all families in the united states were affected by food rationing. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 1942. 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. Holders like these would help protect the book and its stamps. Under the food rationing system, everyone, including men, women, and children, was issued their own ration books. Print or photocopy onto coloured card and staple together.
War ration stamps were a common item, and they are not in high demand as a collectible item, making their value fairly low. Ww2 world war ii war ration book stamp stamps us army military jewish soldier. March 1, 1942 food rationing begins nationwide the. War rationing 19401949 fashion history movies music. Four different series of war ration books were issued. 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. 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. The public went to their local designated ministry of food offices to collect their ration books. Also there were stamp books for sugar and gasoline, coffee, shoes and many more items. Distributed may 20, 1943 the coupons used for food and other commodities. Rationing was a means of ensuring the fair distribution of food and commodities when they were scarce. Food rationing was a way to share food that became hard to get during the war in a fair and equal way.
During wwii, countless products were limited in order to help meet the demands both of the military and the citizens back home. Possession of a coupon book did not guarantee that sugar would be available. World war two ration stamp points release dates living like. Opa coins commonly called opas were used for change for food. Civilians still needed these materials for consumer goods as well. How gas rationing worked during world war ii richard lentinello on dec 30th, 2019 at 8. The first stamps in war ration book one will be used for the purchase of sugar. 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. Unfollow ww2 rations to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The office of price administration used opa stamps, coins and chits for rationing. Food rationing begins nationwide the national wwii museum blog.
Rationed foods were categorized as either needing red or blue points. World war ii food rationing was implemented to ensure that rich or poor, all americans would be able to get the same amount of foods that were in short supply. Opas were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Tokens used for rationing during world war ii there are 30 different red tokens and 24 blue ones. Ration book used during world war ii with sheets of stamps inserted in the middle. Red stamps were used to ration meat and butter, and blue stamps were used to ration processed foods. Green stamps will be replacing blue stamps in new ration book 3. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. Image detail for wwii ration books value wwii ration stamps victory gardens. A wide variety of commodities were rationed during world war ii in the united states.
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. Jun 10, 2011 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. Mar 23, 2007 i have wwii ration books 14 and would like to know what each stamp allowed you to buy. There is a note on the back of the book that reads. Individuals wishing to purchase foods under the red points scheme, which included meat, fish and dairy, were issued with 64 points to use per month. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. War ration stamps, i still have a book of these stamps from wwll. How the ministry of food managed food rationing in world.
Sep, 2017 the events on december 7, 1941 catapulted the united states into world war ii. To enable making change for ration stamps, the government issued red point tokens to be given in change for red stamps, and blue point tokens in change for blue stamps. Nov 24, 2015 to get a classification and a book of rationing stamps, one had to appear before a local rationing board. The above photo are blue ration stamps from a real war ration book number two. 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. Chief among these alterations was the introduction of food rationing in 1942. A responsible person in the household could pick up and sign for the ration booklets for everyone in the household. The government rationed food, so that feed civilians and soldiers at war as well. While some food items were scarce, others did not require rationing, and americans adjusted accordingly. Each person was allowed a certain amount of points weekly with expiration dates to consider. 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. A wartime edition of the american womans cook book contained revised recipes and gave advice on dealing with food shortages. Americans also coped with rationing and coupon books by engaging in a widespread system of bartering.
What was the purpose of stamps during world war 2 and how. Sugar allowance coupon for home food processing 1 pound, 19421945. During world war ii all types of goods were rationed. All car owners received a letter windshield stickers and a gas ration coupon booklet. A ration book was issued to each person and each child. Canada was one of the first noneuropean ally countries to enter the second world war, however we were spared rationing for a time. Jan 25, 2012 a familys ration books from world war ii. World war ii ephemera wwii war ration books acorn signal enemy equipment form. 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. 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. 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. Individuals were issued a ration book and several sheets of stamps.
Heres a look at what those ration books and rationing stamps looked like. Some of the rationing requirements are easily understandable such as gasoline and other fuel along with foods including sugar, meats, cheese. Rationing ended when supplies were sufficient to meet demand. During the second world war, you couldnt just walk into a shop and buy as. Identification of item, in the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946, david m. Making an exception to my pre1922 only rule, here are some high quality scans of u. Some clothing stamps were eventually validated for shoe rationing. The opa token would now represent 1 point and an opa stamp would be worth 10 of these newread more. Food rationing and canning in world war ii national. Ration books were exceedingly valuable to american consumers during the war, and people even carried them in special holders to keep them safe. 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. Note the first stamps in war ration book one will be used for the purchase of sugar. Points were given for rationed foods, and each family needed rationing stamps in order to buy rationed foods. Eventually, most foods were covered by the rationing system with the exception of.
This meant planning meals carefully, being creative with. Government to purchase food, petrol and other household goods during the duration course of war. Blue stamp rationing covered canned, bottled, frozen fruits and vegetables, plus juices and dry beans, and such processed foods as soups, baby food and ketchup. Lot ww2 wwii processed food meat feeding check books rations chart board 1945. Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. World war ii put a heavy burden on us supplies of basic materials like food, shoes, metal, paper, and rubber. Aug 31, 2018 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.
In order to purchase a particular commodity, money wasnt enough. 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. I hope the wartime recipes i have recreated will help people to feed themselves and their families. Rationing of food lasted for 14 years and ended on july 4, 1954. Food rationing and canning in world war ii national womens. The office of price administration opa was in charge of rationing consumer goods such as sugar, coffee, shoes, household appliances, and other goods during world war ii. Lot ww2 wwii check rations food stamps gas ration card. To meet this surging demand, the federal government took steps to conserve crucial supplies, including establishing a rationing. New listing two world war ii war ration book four with stamps issued houston texas. It began after the start of ww2 with petrol and later included other goods such as butter, sugar and bacon. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. However, on february 27, 1944, the opa token made its debut.
A look back at the canadian ration coupon books of ww2. Coupons and rationing during world war ii dealhack. Make offer world war ii 1943 ration book four w stamps pennsylvania b. The stamps came in books like postage stamp books, they both look similar to each other. Wwii rations for sale military collectibles for sale. Rationing was introduced in the us during the second world war when the country was appealed to by the british to cut their consumption of food so that more food could be made available for the britons who were fighting a major war on many battlegrounds. Red stamp rationing covered all meats, butter, fat, and oils, and with some exceptions, cheese. Americans learned to utilize what they had during rationing time. Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help.
I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. Mar 16, 2011 the office of price administration used opa stamps, coins and chits for rationing. Lot ww2 wwii check rations food stamps pictures photo book war mask bag. Eventually, the rationed food items extended to canned fish and milk, meat, cheese, and other processed foods. Make offer world war ii ephemera wwii war ration books acorn signal enemy equipment form. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
The buyer had to present ration stamps to purchase an item. This meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food. Ration books notice the dates these ration books were issued to doris and montague corri. A difficult time for the united states us rationing of. I have a food ration card, mostly unused, and from when i weighed 10 lbs. Americans had to register to receive a war ration book filled with special stamps they could use to buy these specific items. 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. 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. The commodity amounts changed from time to time depending on availability. At an auction less than a week later, i found another group of ration books for a family with children. The army and navy were growing, as was the nations effort to aid its allies overseas.
Cook book contained revised recipes and gave advice on dealing with food. They had to register and buy their food from their chosen shops. Collection consists of ration coupons, stickers, permits, and certificates for tires, bicycles. A world war 2 ration book template containing 12 pages and a front and back cover. A look back at the canadian ration coupon books of ww2 day 161 of vintage 365.
Unfollow world war 2 ration books to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Childs ration book, used during the second world war. 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. How gas rationing worked during world war ii hemmings daily. Once a persons ration stamps were used up for a month, she couldnt buy any more of that type of food. While war ration stamps are not rare, many people find this type of historical memorabilia interesting. Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 19421947. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. Each page is separate so you can include what you need. To get your classification and ration stamps, you had to certify to a local board that.
Huge lot ww2 wwii check french rations food stamps war mask bag. Each person in a household received a ration book, including babies and children. The coupons, smaller than postage stamps and stuffed into three little booklets, were for staples like sugar, gas, coffee and milk. Opa tokens were rationing tokens that were first issued on february 27, 1944, for rationing during wwii. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. Even though i was born in oct of 1941 i had one and what was not used i still have.