World War II Ration Books and Stamps.jpg
Anyone know how WWII rationing worked?
I know they had at least 3 ration books. Maybe one for each year?
They said the ration book was not valid without an affixed stamp, but most of the samples I've seen were used without stamps. One sample book had a rubber stamp in the official stamp area. It is possible due to shortages that they stopped using stamps. I've seen WWII magazines where they cut back on one or two of the staples used to bind the books. As well as cutting back on the # of pages in magazines during the war era. So maybe it was the same deal with stamps and glue. The metal staple shortage can be seen within the editions of the rationing books themselves as book #2 used 2 staples and book #3 used 1 staple.
They had a variety of ration coupon types within the books. The coupons with grain were maybe used for bread. Out of 6 books I examined there was only one book that had a few of the grain coupons left. They were marked alphabetically and the number 1. I saw another coupon marked alphabetically and had an illustration of a cup. Only a few of those left as well. Maybe they were for oil or milk? I'm just guessing, all the old timers I know are dead, so no one to ask.
The early coupons in Book One were just numbered. Book One was a fold out affair and not stapled. In later books they were saddle stitched and had coupons with cannons, tanks, ships and planes along with the cup and grain coupons. There was no mention as to what the cannons, tanks, ships and planes coupons were used for.
The official titles to the ration books are as follows:
United States of America War Ration Book One
War Ration Book Two
War Ration Book No.3
I know a gal with a couple of old aunts in their 90's. So hopefully she can ask them if they are still alive.
edit:
On the back of the ration book they give 4 instructions. Among them they tell you..."Detailed instructions concerning the use of the book and the stamps will be issued."