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    In 1942, five months after the United States entered the Second World War, the Office of Price Administration (OPA) begins issuing ration books to Americans to help with the war effort.  Tire and automobile rationing had already begun and now Americans were asked to ration Sugar (See “War Ration Book One” pictured below.)

    In January 1943, “War Ration Book Two” was issued.  This time the books had four pages of blue and four pages of red stamps.  Book Three was issued in October of 1943 and contained brown stamps which were used for butter, cheese, lards and fats.

    Book Four (pictured at left) was issued in late 1943.  The book had 8 pages of 384 stamps in blue, red, green and black.  The stamps were also lettered (A-Z).  Green stamps were used along with blue stamps for foods such as juice, baby food, bottled fruit.  Red stamps were used for meats and the black stamps were used as “spares” in the event that adjustments were made in the food program.  Each item in a store would have a price and a corresponding coupon value.  You had to pay for the rationed food and turn in the coupon points.

    Most ration restrictions didn’t end until August 1945 and sugar rationing, wasn’t ended until Oct. 31, 1947.  These artifacts are a grim reminder of the hardships of war and the price we all most sometimes pay for Freedom for others and ourselves.

    These ration books were issued to Carl F. Philbrook, his wife Katharine (Snow) and daughter, Joan in 1942 & 1943.  These ration books were acquired by Robert W. Philbrook in 2000 from an Ebay auction, and are part of his collection.