Ration book one was issued in may 1942, book two in january 1943, book three in october of 1943, and book four towards the end of 1943. Rescuing texas history, 2015 and was provided to the portal to texas history by the pioneer city county museum. 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 7. Manufacturing of radios, metal furniture, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, sewing and washing machines was stopped for civilians. Distributed may 20, 1943 the coupons used for food and other commodities. Ration books had descriptions of the owner of the book, including height, weight, eye color and age. Green and blue stamps were used for processed foods such as canned and bottled fruits, juice, vegetables, soup, baby food, frozen food, spreads and dried foods. It still cost money, but you couldnt even buy it unless you had stamps. Because of these shortages, the us governments office of price administration established a system of rationing that would more fairly distribute foods that were in short supply. During world war 2, imported goods that included tinned items were rationed in britain, and these were worth 16 points in your ration book. This is a great activity when teaching about the homefront during world war ii. I have wwii ration books 1 4 and would like to know what each stamp allowed you to buy.
Some of the ration stamps are used but many are intact. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 19421946. These were redeemable stamps or coupons, and every family was issued a set number of each kind of stamp based on the size of the family, ages of children and income. Every american was issued a series of ration books during the war. 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. New listing united states ww ii war ration books 1 and 2. Rationing for the war in the united states began in 1942 and ended in 1946. Office of price administration book description washington, d. War ration book four book 4 introduced julyaugust 1943. Each book required different identification and some were more detailed than others. Holmes of henniker, nh by the united states office of prince administration in 1943.
I was on ebay for 15 years with a 120,000 feedbacks with 100% positive. 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. They must create a balanced menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner without exceeding their spending limit or number of points. Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. At an auction less than a week later, i found another group of ration books for a family with children. What is a war ration book four worth with some stamps answers. Ration book four was printed in red, blue and green.
Some of the rations stamps are used by many are intact. 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. In accepting this book, i recognize that it remains the property of the united states government. You had to have ration stamps to buy things at the store. 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. War ration book four by administration, usa office of price. Four different series of war ration books were issued. War ration book two ration coupons on the home front. World war ll ration book printable pdf teaching history. Stanley of suncook, nh, by the united states office of price administration in approximately 1943. Rationing is a vital part of your countrys war effort. Between 1942 1947, the government issued four different series of ration books. World war 2 ration books the war ration was not very high. Prefix fnfy war ration book fours are harder to find than the suffix books and are.
War ration book four, issued to the family of gardiner johnson by u. Apr 07, 2020 war ration book four, issued to the family of gardiner johnson by u. 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. I was born in july, 1945, but many of the stamps, green, blue, black are still in it. Throughout the 1940s and for nine years after the end of the war every man woman and child in britain owned ration books of coupons for food and clothing. The paper stubs, or stamps, in each ration book purchased rationed consumer goods and foods. What is the value of war ration book four with stamps. Customs services and international tracking provided.
American civilians first received ration books war ration book number one, or the sugar book on 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000 school teachers, pta groups and other volunteers 7 sugar was the first consumer commodity rationed. I have my copy of war ration book four that my mother saved. 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. Answered by a verified antique expert we use cookies to give. During world war ii, ration books were distributed to families by the office of price administration opa to help regulate food shortages as a result of the war. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front. Find great deals on ebay for world war 2 ration books. The first war ration stamps given out were for sugar. United states of america world war ii ration book 1, 2, 3 and. New hampshire historical society war ration book four, 1943. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. New listing ww2 wwii us war ration books some wstamps wartime 1943 1942 lot of 9. The small coins introduced in 1944 were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Please do not be deceived by my low feedback score.
A difficult time for the united states us rationing of. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. This is an original world war ii united states ration book, printed in 1943. The ministry of foods carefully formulated diet is generally believed to have improved the nations health. 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 7. What is a war ration book four worth with some stamps. World war ii ration coupon collection date 19421946 creator united states. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. Black ration book pouch undated names and subjects subject terms. In an effort to ration sugar, coupons from the war ration books assured a just distribution of the nations sugar supply to all. There is a note on the back of the book that reads. 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. Most ration restrictions didnt end until august 1945, with sugar rationing lasting in some parts of the country until 1947.
Ration book used during world war ii with sheets of stamps inserted in the middle. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during. War ration book four page 4 of 8 the portal to texas history. A person could not buy a rationed item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp. This book still has 3 full pages of stamps, one page has 2 stamps used,gone and it looks like 2 pages. A ration book is a book of coupons which is used to control consumption of certain products which may be in high demand. Background paper contains stylized great seal and the phrase u. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about war ration book. Jul 11, 2016 four different series of war ration books were issued.
The most common war ration book material is cotton. War ration stamps were a common item, and they are not in high demand as a collectible item, making their value fairly low. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front, 1942. World war ii ration books bridgeport history center. New hampshire historical society war ration book four. This new ration book, replacement for present books when their stamps are used up, will be distributed during the early summer. Mar 23, 2007 ration books became a way of life for everyone at home during world war ii. World war ii rationing united states american history. And book four series were issued towards the end of 1943. 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.
Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. Ration books are particularly associated with the second world war, when many countries experienced shortages of needed consumer goods, and they decided that a rationing system would ensure fair and even distribution. Some clothing stamps were eventually validated for shoe rationing. I will use it only in the manner and for the purposes authorized by the office of price administration. These photos captured what happened when the united states. This book is your governments guarantee of your fair share of goods made scarce by war, to which the stamps herein will be assigned as the need arises.
Rationing became common during the second world war. War ration book four usa office of price administration on. Get the best deals on war ration book when you shop the largest online. There is also a notice on the back to cooperate with the local salvage committee. Guide to the world war ii ration coupon collection, 1942. What is the value of war ration book four with stamps inside. Before the use of tokens, people had to present the exact number of points for the purchase of merchandise or forfeit the difference. The war ration stamps are very common and the demand for them in the collectors circle is not very high. War ration book four page 4 of 8 the portal to texas. Ration book four also introduced red and blue cardboard tokens, each valued at onepoint, to be used as change for ration coupon purchases. United states of america office of price administration. War ration book four, issued to the family of gardiner johnson.