#ration book

Wartime rationing worked like this: every rationed item was given an official point value, depending on the supply and demand. Forty-eight points were allowed for each person during the month of March. Here, Mrs. Caven, having planned her purchases, gets advice from the grocer, February 14, 1943.

The objects featured in this post provide another example of how museum collections can make history come alive. I, like a lot of people, was familiar with the rationing that took place during WWII, but didn’t actually realize how it worked. When I came across these ration books, I was fascinated. Read on to view both American and Danish ration books.

This was a 1943 U.S. war ration book for Mary Petersen, age 81 (Object ID: 1994.209.024).

Købekort Mænd (2000.264.001) was a Danish ration book for men and Købekort Kvinder (2000.264.002) was a Danish ration book for women during WWII. Men and women were issued separate books because they were sometimes used for gender specific items. The men's book was issued to Martin Taekker, and the women's book was issued to Johanne E. Jensen both in 1948.

The donors immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-1950s.

Above is a set of five different ration stamps used in Denmark during WWII (2000.264.003). The stamps are for gasoline, petroleum, coffee, sugar, coal and a type of fuel, possibly firewood. These stamps have possible expiration dates from 1947-1953.

These items help us to understand daily life during this time period.

requested moodboard

requested by @swagabodcrane

“A customer can use the rationbooks of the whole family. But the first thing she will want to know when she buys pork chops, pound of butter or a half pound of cheese is--’How many points will it take?’” 

Series: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, 1882 - 1962. Collection: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, 1882 - 1962

The Gazette and Daily, York, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1943