1943 Shoe Rationing Division Cover.

Interesting WWII cover.
Shoe rationing was announced to the American public on February 7, 1943. It went into effect two days later. This cover is post marked 3 days later from the effective date Feb 9.

Each person received three shoe coupons per year in 1943. This was reduced to two pairs of shoes in March of 1944 because of shortages of leather. Those who needed footwear for work, like mail carriers, and those who were pregnant or needed medical shoes could get additional pairs.

Two additional covers to the "Shoe Rationing Branch". I find it interesting these covers survived considering the push to recycle paper for the war effort.



And some associated stamp and form items.

Nice material! what did non-ration shoes mean?

Non-rationed shoes did not contain leather or rubber which were critical war supplies. So women's cloth shoes with wood soles were non-rationed.

Here's a nice little piece on shoe rationing with some illustrative ads and other illustrations: https://www.sarahsundin.com/make-it...ld-war-ii-2/

I got my mother's ration books and three or four remaining tickets (sugar, meat, flour) from her. She told me that "of course no one held onto their shoe tickets - I bet they're worth something now if you could find one."


ed to clarify what tickets she gave me

No surprise for the first cover, Perham C. Nahl was a decades long student and creator of philately. Likely that may have something to do with the second letter shown which arrived at the office the next day. Both I imagine walked out on Nahl's shoe leather ration.

Did the name of this agency change? The name on mine and johns are different.

Citizens addresses these so if the listed all of the information needed in the address a change of order in listing is not a change of name. "Shoe rationing" and "Price Administration" gets it there.

Edit as noted by.

Very interesting covers and history. Thanks for sharing these!