War ration book one, with ration book holder

Creator

United States. Office of Price Administration

Date

• May 4, 1942

Publisher

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

Summary

• This one-page letter-size folded document titled "War Ration Book One" with unused war ration stamps numbered 17 through 22 attached was issued May 4, 1942, from the local War Price and Rationing Board in Manitowoc. The 4.75" x 6.25" blue paper holder has two pockets containing three copes of War Ration Book One and three copies of War Ration Book Two, only one of which is illustrated here as an example. War Ration Book One, also known as OPA Form No. R-302, originally had twenty-eight stamps. Each stamp, when declared valid, was redeemable for the purchase of coffee, sugar, or shoes, depending on what was designated for rationing. Rationing was first used for sugar in May 1942. Coffee rationing began in November 1942, and shoes were rationed starting in February 1943. In Manitowoc in 1942, the local Rationing Board had an office in the basement of the Manitowoc County Court House on the southwest corner of Washington and South Eighth streets. Mark L. Hooper was chairman of the board. By 1945, the U.S. War Price and Rationing Board office was located in Room 202 of the Safety Building at 822 Jay Street. War Ration books were distributed from various locations including schools. In Manitowoc, the Lincoln High School social studies classes helped register recipients and distribute the ration books. In October 1943, afternoon classes at the Manitowoc Vocational School were suspended for three afternoons so that the teachers could help distribute Ration Book Four at Manitowoc schools.