Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], World War II Ration Book Four, 1943, Ms2022-074, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 2005.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the World War II Ration Book Four was completed in October 2022.

Historical Note

During World War II, the shipment of food to troops abroad, rationing of supplies like fuel and rubber, and trade import restrictions caused a shortage of foods and materials in the United States. As a solution, the U.S. government utilized the Office of Price Administration to create a rationing system to evenly distribute foods. Advertisements also urged Americans to use less of foods such as sugar and meat.

External source:

The National World War II Museum. "Ration Books." Accessed October 2022. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/take-closer-look-ration-books

Biographical Note

Mart Barton was born to James and Sarah (Custer) Barton on January 17, 1879. He worked as a farmer in Alton, Oregon County, Missouri. He died on August 29, 1962, and he and his wife Vera May are buried in Cave Springs Cemetery in Alton.

External sources:

"Mart Barton" death certificate in the Missouri, U.S., Death Certificates, 1910-1969 database, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/1837491:60382 , accessed September 19, 2023.

"Mart Barton", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103565513/martin-lee-barton , accessed September 19, 2023.

Scope and Content

This collection contains an American war ration book printed during World War II, issued to Mart Barton of Alton, Missouri. The pages contain printed, rip-out stamps for various rationed items. Some stamps have been torn out. The back of the ration book warns recipients to "NEVER BUY RATIONED GOODS WITHOUT RATION STAMPS" and "NEVER PAY MORE THAN LEGAL PRICE."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• History of Food and Drink
• World War, 1939-1945

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the World War II Ration Book Four by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).