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