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Rockwell Video Minute: The Ration Board
During World War II, Norman Rockwell created a detailed portrait of his town’s ration board, and the people who came to plead their cases for more tires, gas, food, or shoes.
Detail from Rockwell’s The Ration Board from the July 15, 1944, Saturday Evening Post (©SEPS)
Comments
Years ago I found one of my Grandparent’s ration books they had saved long after the war. I am not sure where it is right now, my brother may have it or it may have been lost. Thanks for this!
Fascinating video from a time Americans (mostly) came together, sacrificing for the common good.
Today unfortunately, those people would be risking their lives without getting too graphic.
My parents & grandparents told me about the shortages first hand, and we learned about them in school too. The Depression prior to that left scars on my mother as a child she carried for life.
I’m pretty sure the board was happy with how Rockwell had them looking, and both got what they wanted. He drew himself into the picture so naturally, I didn’t notice it at first!