Ration Book

During World War II, in response to food and fuel shortages, the United States Office of Price Administration set up a system of rationing to distribute specific items in short supply.  Every American was issued ration books with removable stamps to use for specific items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. A store would not sell a rationed item to someone without receiving the correct stamp.  Once a person used all of their ration stamps for an item, they could not purchase that item until they received more ration stamps.