Two sided, paper mailing poster with 16 folded sections. When unfolded, the front right side is divided into 3 printed sections. The upper right section has a title. The section to the left has 3 blocks of text containing mailing information with an address label adhered underneath. In the section below is a black and white comic strip depicting Uncle Sam describing how to obtain ration tokens. The front left side has 4 printed tables with columns of text describing the current ration points for food. The back is divided into 3 sections with tables and text describing ration points for food. There is 1 table on the left, 2 tables outlined in the center, and 3 small tables and a text block on the right. front, right half, top 2 folds from right, address label, printed, black ink : Phillip Baller
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US ration point guide poster with tables for February 1944
This poster is part of the rationing program established by the Office of Price Administration in the US during World War II describing the food ration points effective January 30, 1944. The OPA mailed official tables to food retailers before every ration period, who were required to hang it on the walls for public viewing, which outlined the price and ration point value for each food for the upcoming period. To counteract rising food prices, the OPA fixed price ceilings and introduced ration stamps. Ration stamps, in book form, were issued to every man, woman, and child to be used to buy food. Each stamp had a number designating the points it was worth and a letter showing the exact period during which it could be used. The customer would purchase food and hand over the amount of ration points, which the retailer would use to purchase merchandise. Rationing was slowly phased out after the war until November 9, 1946 when President Truman signed an executive order ending all wage and price controls except on rents, sugar, and rice.
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988 by David and Zelda Silberman.
overall: Height: 22.750 inches (57.785 cm) | Width: 32.000 inches (81.28 cm)