Rationed Collection

Apres la Guerre No. 3 - WWI postcard by George Ranstead
Humorous postcard drawn by amateur soldier artist of the Great War, George Ranstead, who, in a series of illustrations suggesting what life might be like at the end of the war

Observed of all observers by Alfred Leete
The Chauffeur of a coal-gas-driven car (to a gathering crowd): Wot are you anging around cre for? The Crowd: Please, Mister, we se waiting for the balloon to go up

WW2 Birthday Card, Rationed Clothes
An illustrated WW2 birthday greetings card, clothes may be rationed - but let me tell you, there's no shortage of birthday wishes

WW2, The Kitchen Front
An illustration which shows a wartime girl thinking up some recipes with her pencil placed to her lips, she must be careful because ingredients would be rationed and brought from overseas during WW2

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - Who Cares a Darn
The Caption is Who cares a darn. A watrtime slogan was Make do and Mend. Clothing was rationed but this young lady seems prettly cheerful. Cute Kids WW2 Wartime humour Date: circa 1942

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - No Basic, we should worry
The Caption is No Basic? We should worry! Basic refers to the basic petrol ration. Petrol was rationed from September 1939 and contiinued until 1950. Cute Kids WW2 Wartime humour Date: circa 1944

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - Sew What
The Caption is Sew What? Clothing could only be purchased if one had enough Points to do so and the Points were rationed. A wartime slogan was Make do and Mend

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - We ll be seeing you somehow
The Caption reads We ll be seeing you somehow. Petrol was severly rationed and only certain professions or trades were allowed to have any. Hence cycling became popular

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - Happy Birthday
The ration book is clearly drawn, and cancelled coupons can be glimpsed. Petrol was the first to be rationed after the war began and eventually practically all commodities were

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - Swell
Clothes wee rationed from June 1941 wth a ration book supposedly sufficient for one new outfit a year. Cute Kids WW2 Wartime humour Date: 1945

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - Food Flash
The caption on the postcard is Food Flash. The girls are talking about the latest rationing news. In 1942 even sweets were rationed. Cute Kids WW2 Wartime humour Date: 1944

WRAF on a motorcycle, having a tea break, WW1
WRAF on a motorcycle, having a tea break, First World War -- Strictly Rationed Cake. circa 1918

Utility boiler suit, 1943 - WWII fashion
A Utility boiler suit in navy drill, procured for four coupons from Peter Robinsons of Oxford Street. Date: 1943

Gabriel de Clieu and the coffee plant seedling. De Clieu arranged to transport a coffee plant from the greenhouses of the Jardin royal des plantes to Martinique in 1720

WW2 - Shortage of Potatoes in Britain during the War
Sorry No Potatoes - a British housewife has limited choice for her vegetable purchasing, as potato stocks dry up due to tight rationing control over supply - December, 1941. Date: 1941

Pool Petrol Rationed
A postcard making a light- hearted comment on the fact that petrol is rationed and that there are no branded fuels, only POOL petrol

WW2 poster, British Rail catering information, with a cartoon by Fougasse. Food was rationed for British Rail, as for everyone else, and Refreshment Baskets were discontinued. circa 1940s

Utility floral coverall, 1943 - WWII fashion
A Utility coverall from Peter Robinsons of Oxford Street, one of a variety available in many materials and colours. Coveralls protected clothing

Utility bib and braces, 1943 - WWII fashion
A pair of bib and braces (dungarees) for women in navy drill, part of a range of Utility clothing available from Peter Robinsons of Oxford Street, procured for three coupons

Rationing of Food, February 1918, WW1
Page from The Sphere reporting on the introduction of food rationing of meat and butter in London and Home Counties on 25 February 1918

Ready cut out pyjamas
An illustration of eight pieces of a set of pyjamas, made of ceylonette. Enabling the reader to use and make into a set of pyjamas, including a girdle and coming with a set of instructions

War Time Pudding with Oxo, 1918
Advertisement for Oxo from the First World War, suggesting that the versatile stock cube could help out your meat ration. A new Oxo dish prepared by an unidentified celebrated chef

Advert for Kooksjoie range cooker 1918
Kooksjoie range cooker, from the London Warming and Ventilating Co. Ltd, a behemoth of a thing, whose manufacturers promise it consumes just half a ton of coal per month

WW2 - Comic Postcard - Where to put Cookery Books?
WW2 Rationing - Humour - Where shall we put the old-time Cookery Books? Fiction or Humour ?! Date: circa 1944

Coupon Wedding - Cloth in short supply leads to a rather daring wedding gown! Date: 1943

Extended family eating Christmas Dinner. Three generations celebrate with turkey and all the trimmings which rationing would allow

Wartime poster, conservation of wheat for war effort
Wartime poster recommending the conservation of wheat. Think!! For every 100, 000 tons of wheat saved by economy 28, 000 troops can be rationed and transported from America. Eat one loaf a week less

Wartime Rations
A table full of powdered and rationed goods, as available in Britain during World War Two, including Birds Custard Powder, Victory V lozenges and Sylvan Flakes

Knitting with Mother
A little boy watches his mother knitting. Clothing was rationed during World War Two the ability to knit for the whole family and make-do and mend was crucial

RATIONING 1953-54
Britain is still being rationed - eight years after the end of the war !

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"Rationed: A Glimpse into the Scarcity and Resilience of War" Step back in time with these captivating glimpses into the world of rationing during two World Wars. From George Ranstead's poignant postcard, "Apres la Guerre No. 3, " depicting a somber aftermath of WWI, to Alfred Leete's thought-provoking artwork titled "Observed of all observers, " we witness the impact war had on society. As WWII unfolded, rationing became a way of life for many. The birthday card adorned with rationed clothes serves as a reminder that even celebrations were affected by scarcity. Meanwhile, "The Kitchen Front" reveals how women adapted their culinary skills to create meals from limited resources. Fashion also felt the constraints of wartime, as showcased by the utility boiler suit from 1943 - an embodiment of practicality over luxury. Yet amidst hardship, humor prevailed through comic postcards like "Who Cares a Darn?" and "No Basic, we should worry. " These lighthearted images provided solace and laughter during trying times. But it wasn't just within borders that rationing mattered; international aid was crucial too. The New York lunch for hungry children of Europe lithograph exemplifies compassion across continents. Lastly, let us not forget the rallying cries urging citizens to save food during WWI through posters such as "Do your Bit - Save Food. " These reminders served as constant motivators for individuals to contribute towards collective survival. Through these artifacts and artworks, we gain insight into an era where every aspect of life was touched by scarcity but also resilience. Rationing became more than just limiting supplies; it fostered unity and resourcefulness among communities worldwide – reminding us that even in darkness, humanity finds ways to persevere.