Ration Books

[floydianoise]

I have approximately 10 ration books with lots of ration stamps still in them.  Inside the "Ration Book Holder" (No. 550) there are also small wooden or cardboard "coins" with a big "1" and around the outside OPA Red Point.  Identical on the other side.  I know OPA is "Office of Price Administration."  Off to do some research.  At least one (probably most) of the backs of the books is dated 1943.  All are out of Pittsfield, MA where my Grandfather was an antiques dealer.  No relation to the name on the books that I know of.

[floydianoise]

Stamps in these books include

"War Ration Book Four"
Book #83873 BZ
*39 Spares
*3 that look like a Cornocopia
*48 (a full page) that are green and look like Lady Liberty's hand
*23 that look like Wheat
*33 for Coffee
Book #'s 83872, 83874, 83875, 83876 are variations on these as far as what's in them goes

"War Ration Book No. 3"
Book #'s 455235 455236, 455237, 455238, 455239
These are almost full in every case.  I don't know that any are absolutely complete but there are full pages.  The stamps inside look like:
*Cannons
*Tanks
*Ships
*Planes

Anything special about any of this?

[sapphire]

Found a few listed here......(type ration book in Search box)

http://www.tias.com/

This was the first hit that came up, haven't checked any others yet

[floydianoise]

Yep.  Found somewhere else that they run from $10-$25.  Wasn't getting rid of them and I assume that this forum isn't the place to do it anyway.  How does that work?

[KC]

Don't think ya can use them either….but hold on to them…with this economy you never know!                         Just funnin!

[Texasbadger]

They are fairly common at the militaria shows, the tokens being easily lost are hardest to find.  Still a nice item.