War ration book two

Creator

United States. Office of Price Administration

Date

• 1942

Publisher

[Washington, D.C.]: Government Printing Office

Summary

• "War Ration Book Two," OPA Form No. R-121, consisted of front and back paper covers 5.75" x 4.25" folded from a single sheet of paper, with pages of red and blue stamps of varying point levels inside. In this example which was issued in Manitowoc in 1943, all of the stamps have been used. In order to receive Ration Book Two, recipients had to declare every can of processed food in their possession, and eight points were removed from the ration book for each can itemized. Red stamps could be redeemed for butter, margarine, meats, cheese, fats and canned fish. Blue stamps could be redeemed for canned fruits and vegetables. During five days of registration for Ration Book Two in February, 1943, 31,059 books were issued in Manitowoc, 11,521 in Two Rivers, and 3,212 in Mishicot. Other sites in the Conty also distributed the ration books. In Manitowoc, the U.S. War Price and Rationing Board first had an office in the basement of the Manitowoc County Court House. Mark L. Hooper was chairman of the board. Later, the office was located in Room 202 of the Safety Building at 822 Jay Street. War Ration books one, two, and four were distributed mainly from local schools such as Lincoln High School, where social studies classes helped. In October 1943, afternoon classes at the Manitowoc Vocational School were suspended for three afternoons so that teachers could help issue Ration Book Four at Manitowoc schools. Ration Book Three was distributed by mail.