"RATIONING MEANS A FAIR SHARE FOR ALL OF US": LOVELY AMERICAN WORLD WAR II POSTER SHOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF RATIONING

(WORLD WAR II). Poster: Rationing Means a Fair Share for All of Us. [Washington]: Government Printing Office, 1943. Chromolithographic poster, measuring 22 by 28 inches; linen backed, floated and framed, entire piece measures 25-1/2 by 31-1/2 inches. $2800.

Original World War II poster with two illustrations depicting life with and without rationing and declaring "Rationing means a fair share for all of us."

This original 1943 poster argues that rationing ensures equitable distribution of food. This was a core message espoused by the Office of Price Administration who managed American rationing during World War II. The OPA's general belief was that women had to support rationing as the main shopper in the home, so posters such as this were meant to reassure them that their difficulties and sacrifices had value. The top illustration, depicting life without rationing, shows an older woman in a fur-trimmed coat carting off 12 cans at the grocery store while a younger woman gets none. The bottom illustration shows life with rationing, in which each woman happily receives a single can from a smiling grocer.

Original folding creases. About-fine condition.