Summary
Alternative Name(s): Ration Ticket, Ration Coupons
Ration card for 'refined soap' and soap powder, valid for the months February to July 1918. It was issued in Leipzig, Germany, during World War I, and is printed in German. A modern hand has written an explanation at the bottom of the card.
The card was found with a small hand-written text label which suggests it may have been previously displayed by Museum Victoria with other ration cards. The text label reads: 'Six Ration Cards. Leipzig. Anhalt. Berlin / 1918 - 1923'.
Early in World War I the British established a naval blockade of Germany and its allies to exert economic pressure. The blockade even included foodstuffs, leading to significant shortages and even famine in Germany, which may have led to significant deaths from starvation (disagreement on the impacts of the blockade continues to this day). Rationing was introduced in an attempt to manage the crisis, continuing into the post-war years.
Physical Description
Thin card printed on one side, divided into small squares for each ration. Some rations have been stamped with red ink. There are pin holes in each corner. Back is blank.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Unknown Acquisition Method from Unknown Source
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Date Issued
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Date Inscribed
Feb 1918-Jul 1918
Date range of validity -
Inscriptions
Extensive text printed in German. Includes the words 'Seifenkarte / Gultig fur die Monate Februar bis Juli 1918' (Card valid for months February to July 1918). Hand-written on lower front in ink (modern): "Leipzig Soap Card / Feinseif. Refined Soap. Ungultig Seifenpulver. Soap poweder. Invalid"
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
105 mm (Width), 157 mm (Height)
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Keywords
German Communities, German Immigration, Ration Coupons, Rationing, Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918
