Why did they use ration stamps in World War 2?
They were also used after the end of the war while the economies of the belligerents gradually returned to normal. Ration stamps were also used to help maintain the amount of food one could hold at a time. This was so that one person would not have more food than another.
How are food stamps and ration stamps similar?
Government funds provided to poverty stricken individuals by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are often referred to colloquially as “food stamps”. The parallels between these “food stamps” and ration stamps as used in war time rationing is limited, however, since food can be purchased in the United States on…
Where can I find ration books from World War 2?
Additional ration books are available from Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University. Issued to the public May 4 – May 7, 1942. Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. Stamps #1-4 – designated for sugar.
When do you need a ration coupon or stamp?
A ration stamp, ration coupon 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.
What was the first stamp in war ration book one?
The first stamps in War Ration Book One will be used for the purchase of sugar. When this book was issued, the registrar asked you, or the person who applied for your book, how much sugar you owned on that date.
What happens if a stamp is torn out of a ration book?
If a stamp is torn out of the War Ration Book in any other way than above indicated, it becomes void. If a stamp is partly torn or mutilated and more than one half of it remains in the book, it is valid. Otherwise it becomes void.
How to preserve a World War 2 ration book?
You should preserve War Rations Books with the greatest possible care. 1 – From the time the Office of Price Administration may issue orders rationing certain products. After the dates indicated by such orders, these products can be purchased only through the use of War rations Books containing valid War Ration Stamps.
What to do if your ration book is lost?
9 – If your War Ration Book is lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, you should report that fact to the local Ration Board. 10 – If you enter a hospital, or other institution, and expect to be there for more than 10 days, you must turn your War Ration Book over to the person in charge.
