Administration

1943 · réf. 89910 — Washington DC: Office of Price Administration U.S. Government Printing Office 1943. Presumed First Edition First issuance to this individual. Single sheet printed on one side with stamps inside. Fair. The format is approximately 11.25 inches by 4.25 inches folded in half with removable stamps originally within. Many War Ration stamps remain. First sheet has ration stamps 1-48 intact with an artillery piece illustration . Sheet 2 is 1-48 with a tank illustration. Sheet 3 is 1-48 with a ship illustration. Sheet 4 has 2-48 illustrated with an airplane. This was issued undated. Signed Elmer Schurtze. Not otherwise filled out. Ink notation at bottom front as Book 4. War ration books varied in design and content throughout the war years. Some were simple booklets with basic information while others included more elaborate instructions and patriotic messages. The stamps inside were often brightly colored and featured images of everyday items like shoes and cooking oil serving as a constant reminder of the sacrifices being made for the war effort. War Ration Book Two - January 1943 was the property of the United States Government. It is unlawful to sell or give it to any other person or to use it or permit anyone else to use it except to obtain rationed goods for the person to whom it was issued. Persons who violate Rationing Regulations are subject to $10000 fine imprisonment or both. By 1944 whisky had disappeared from stores as distilleries converted to the production of industrial alcohol. New car production was banned as of January 1 1942 as former auto plants switched to the production of military vehicles. The official War Ration book four was released in late 1943. Form No. R-145 Civilians first received ration books—War Ration Book Number One or the "Sugar Book"—on 4 May 1942 through more than 100000 schoolteachers PTA groups and other volunteers. Sugar was the first consumer commodity rationed with all sales ended on 27 April 1942 and resumed on 5 May with a ration of 1 2 pound 8 oz per person per week half of normal consumption. Bakeries ice cream makers and other commercial users received rations of about 70% of normal usage. Coffee was rationed nationally on 29 November 1942 to 1 pound every five weeks about half of normal consumption in part because of German attacks on shipping from Brazil. As of 1 March 1942 dog food could no longer be sold in tin cans and manufacturers switched to dehydrated versions. As of 1 April 1942 anyone wishing to purchase a new toothpaste tube then made from metal had to turn in an empty one. By June 1942 companies also stopped manufacturing metal office furniture radios television sets phonographs refrigerators vacuum cleaners washing machines and sewing machines for civilians. By the end of 1942 ration coupons were used for nine other items: typewriters gasoline bicycles shoes rubber footwear silk nylon fuel oil and stoves. Meat lard shortening and food oils cheese butter margarine processed foods canned bottled and frozen dried fruits canned milk firewood and coal jams jellies and fruit butter were rationed by November 1943. Many retailers welcomed rationing because they were already experiencing shortages of many items due to rumors and panics such as flashlights and batteries after Pearl Harbor. Ration Book Number Five is a very rare ration book only issued to very few people. By the end of 1942 ration coupons were used for nine other items: typewriters gasoline bicycles shoes rubber footwear silk nylon fuel oil and stoves. Meat lard shortening and food oils cheese butter margarine processed foods canned bottled and frozen dried fruits canned milk firewood and coal jams jellies and fruit butter were rationed by November 1943. Many retailers welcomed rationing because they were already experiencing shortages of many items due to rumors and panics such as flashlights and batteries after Pearl Harbor. Ration Book Number Five is a very rare ration book only issued to very few people. Office of Price Administration, U.S. Government Printing Office unknown