work blog about search
 
 

Ministry of Food Ration Book

Ration-book-cover
Well, crikey, Happy New Year to one and all! Hope you had a glorious festive season.

We had one of those hectic run-ups to Christmas (three parts work, one part social), which is why things have been a bit quiet on here.

But between the turkey and the christmas pudding we did manage to dig through the archives, and tracked down a few fantastic bits of ephemera, including (rather ironically, given all the feasting) this Ration Book from The Ministry of Food, which belonged to Alistair's grandmother.

Ration-book-4-5 Ration-book-20-21

We hadn't realised that rationing went on so long (it finally ended in 1954), and can't help but wonder if a similar system will be necessary again one day; and if it does come back in, what form the rationing 'book' of the future might take.

Check out more scans from this, as well as a few other new bits and bobs, over at Alistair's Ephemera and Second World War ephemera Flickr sets.

 

posted: 5 January 2010
categories: Ephemera
 
recommended reading

Ace Jet 170
One of the finest individual design blogs (it’s been going as long as I have!) from Irish designer Richard Weston. Covering found type, print and stuff.

Casual Optimist
If you want to know what’s happening in the world of book cover design, keep an eye on this excellent blog by Dan Wagstaff.

Design Declares
A growing group of designers, design studios, agencies and institutions who have declared a climate and ecological emergency. As part of the global declaration movement, we commit to harnessing the tools of our industry to reimagine, rebuild and heal our world.

Eye Magazine
The best graphic design magazine out there, from editor John L. Walters and art director Simon Esterson.

Flat File
A fantastic collection of online publications based on pieces from the Herb Lubalin Study Centre.

Justin’s Amazing World
Justin Hobson, of Fenner Paper, is a bona fide expert on paper & print, and a charming chap to boot. His blog features in-depth analysis of the projects he’s worked on, including a few of our own.

Kottke.org
One of the oldest blogs on the web. And one of the best.

Spitalfields Life
The anonymous Gentle Author of this wonderful blog has promised to write 10,000 stories about the life & culture of Spitalfields in east London, writing one story each and every day.

St Bride Library
The St Bride Library houses one of the world’s finest collection of books (& related objects) about printing and design. It also hosts unmissable design talks and events.