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World War II Ration Books

 Collection — sc_box: MS 5, Folder: 15
Identifier: MS-887

Collection Scope and Content Summary

World War II ration books, published by the United States Office of Price Administration and issued to Paul P. Dennis and Thomas J. Dennis of Hancock, Michigan. Includes unused stamps for consumer goods and foods.

Dates

  • 1943

Language of Material

English

Conditions Governing Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Historical Note

Rationing is often instituted during wartime for civilians. During World War II, United States civilians first received ration books in 1942. Each ration stamp had a generic drawing of an airplane, gun, tank, aircraft carrier, ear of wheat, fruit, etc. and a serial number. The kind and amount of rationed commodities were not specified on most of the stamps and were not defined until later when local newspapers published, for example, that beginning on a specified date, one airplane stamp was required (in addition to cash) to buy one pair of shoes and one stamp number 30 from ration book four was required to buy five pounds of sugar. The commodity amounts changed from time to time depending on availability.

Extent

0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

World War II ration books, 1943, for Paul P. Dennis and Thomas J. Dennis, residents of Hancock, Michigan. Includes unused stamps.

Arrangement

Resources arranged alphabetically by personal name.

Acquisition

The war rations books, as well as wide format maps, a piece of wood from an airplane crash, and several books were donated to the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections by Mary Jean Westcott on July 1, 2010.

Processing History

Finding aid created by Elizabeth Russell, 5/24/2012.

Title
World War II Ration Books
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Russell
Date
5/24/2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English
Sponsor
Funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US