Nostalgia Day 5: WWII Ration Books
October 05, 2012
Have you ever heard of War Ration Books? Luckily, I am not old enough to have used these, but I have a couple of WWII ration stamp books that were my Grandma's.The back of the War Ration Book states:
Rationing is a vital part of your country's war effort. Any attempt to violate the rules is an effort to deny someone his share and will create hardship and help the enemy. This book is your Government's assurance of your right to buy your fair share of certain goods made scarce by war. Price ceilings have also been established for your protection. Dealers must post these prices conspicuously. Don't pay more.Give your whole support to rationing and thereby conserve our vital goods. Be guided by the rule: "If you don't need it, DON'T BUY IT."US Government Printing Office 1943.
The ration books:
The stamps.
The ration book "SAFTEECASE" soilproof family holder.
It's hard to imagine "war rationing", isn't it?
Joining Elaine at Sunny Simple Sundays.
Joining The Tablescaper.
Rationing is a vital part of your country's war effort. Any attempt to violate the rules is an effort to deny someone his share and will create hardship and help the enemy. This book is your Government's assurance of your right to buy your fair share of certain goods made scarce by war. Price ceilings have also been established for your protection. Dealers must post these prices conspicuously. Don't pay more.Give your whole support to rationing and thereby conserve our vital goods. Be guided by the rule: "If you don't need it, DON'T BUY IT."US Government Printing Office 1943.
The ration books:
The stamps.
The ration book "SAFTEECASE" soilproof family holder.
It's hard to imagine "war rationing", isn't it?
Joining The Tablescaper.
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We could learn alot from this couldn't we. If you don't need it don't buy it......so true.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you stopped by my blog!
ReplyDeleteThese ration books are a wonderful piece of history. I can just imagine what folks in 2012 would think if they had to sacrifice.
I look forward to following you blog!
Smiles,
Carol
Those are really cool!! My Mom used ration books and I don't think I've ever seen one! hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteHi Carlene,
ReplyDeleteYes! In this day and age and in this world of consumerism, the idea of war rations is unimaginable! Although, I do believe that it would do us all some good! Very timely post!
Have a great weekend!
Poppy
It is hard to imagine what our ancestors went through during those times. My grandma had lots of stories of how they made do with less. Do you remember the gas rationing scare in 1978-79?
ReplyDeleteI have some that were my gransdparent's. They lived and worked in Oak Ridge, TN, the city behind the fence. That's one of the locations where things were produced to make the atom bomb. Papa was a fireman and Nana was a guard. My mother was a pre-teen, teen during that time. Not an easy life but better than it was during the depression.
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty cool keepsake really. What a piece of history. No, I cannot imagine rationing. But the idea of 'don't buy it if you don't need it' I really do need to employ more often!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that she saved those. Definitely a piece of history we could learn from! And when I say "learn" I mean it in the sense that we would do well to grasp that things can easily turn upside down. I can absolutely imagine the need for rationing. It's really wise to plan for it and to always be prepared (Didn't we learn that in the scouting as kids?) I keep very current with what's going on and shortages are actually not only imaginable but likely. Just this week there has been talk of food rationing (bacon for starters) and today I read about gas rationing in CA. We don't want to think things will ever cause us to have to sacrifice, but are just as vulnerable, maybe more so. (Oh, and I also remember gas rationing in the 70's). There are many things politically and worldwide economically, etc. right now that are unstable and are pointing to the need for us to have things in order and shore ourselves up. After all, history (i.e., the ration book) is supposed to teach us so that we don't have to fall victim to the same troubles again and again. So your rationing books actually serve as a lesson as well as just a fun bit of nostalgia. We would do well to let it do that work and allow it to instruct us and get us thinking. Thanks for the thoughtful question Carlene, and for letting me take up so much space with my "reality bites" answer! :)
ReplyDeleteLiz
How wonderful you have them! How neat. That's a real treasure. My husband lived through rationing in England after the war as a child, and his family had lots of stories. Very difficult to be a homemaker then.
ReplyDeleteRuth
What a fascinting post...I hope we never return to those days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, my friend,
Blessings,
Carolynn
Thankfully it is hard to imagine.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
That a wonderful piece of family memorabilia and a reminder to be thankful that we don't have to ration basic foods! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteI loved being able to see these! We've heard about these our whole life but I'd never seen one. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteso interesting to see these! I have often read about this (either in older USA or English novels ) but its great to see a visual!
ReplyDeleteLove this series your doing! Absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteMy mom was a child during the war and had told me about the rationing. We are spoiled nowadays. So cool you have all these old books.
ReplyDeleteMy parents remember the ration books from during the war and my grandpa was an "air raid" patrol man. He had to walk their Chicago neighborhood every night and make sure everyone had their windows blacked out. Stopped by from Sunny Simple!
ReplyDeleteIn the last couple of years I've been able to pick up some Canadian ration books to add to my Remembrance Day window display. I find them intresting and was surprised my 19 year old nephew found them intresting to. Your copies are great.
ReplyDeleteDenise
I remember similar books that my grandmother had and my mom certainly remembers using these. Such hard times our families went through back then.
ReplyDelete