Show & Tell Friday

Its Show & Tell Friday over at Kelli's There's No Place Like Home. Drop by for a visit and see who else is there for Show & Tell.

Oh my, what a busy, busy week! I haven't even had time to stop by and visit many of my bloggy friends. I will try to catch up this weekend. This show & tell is like some of my others, part of a family memory/memorabilia and part history lesson. I hope you enjoy it!

This is the original portrait of my grandmother Bertha Violet on her wedding day May 9, 1915. When it came into my possession it was cracked and broken as you can see. I had it framed to try and perserve it as best as it can be. She was my daddy's mother; I posted a picture on a previous Show & Tell of her holding him.

As you can see she is wearing a collar with a cameo pinned to hold it in place. A bouquet of purple and lavender violets were pinned to her dress as well. When I was given the picture my aunt also gave me the cameo she wore and a couple of lace collars that belonged to my grandmother. I had these framed and have them hanging in my bedroom.

She died when my daddy was 7 years old, so I never had the opportunity to know her personally, but I am so glad that these small items are mine to treasure and preserve for others. It will be 93 years this May 9th, since Bertha Violet wore this cameo on her wedding day.

As a point of reference 93 years ago, Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, World War I was underway, in Washington, D.C. the first stone of the Lincoln Memorial is put into place, postage stamps cost 2 cents, and women in the United States were not allowed to vote until 5 years later, when on August 26, 1920 the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was signed into law.

I wonder if my grandmother ever voted?

Show & Tell Friday

Its Show & Tell Friday over at Kelli's There's No Place Like Home. Drop by for a visit and see who else is there for Show & Tell.

This show & tell is like some of my others, part of a family memory /memorabilia and part history lesson. I hope you enjoy it!

Today I want to share with you the War Rations stamp books that belonged to my parents. I have these displayed in my family heritage scrapbook. Of all my scrapbooks this one is the most prized; so many family members shared stories, photos, or memorabilia that are priceless, and their history will be passed on to generations that follow.

These were issued in 1943 during WWII. The stamps were used to purchase rationed items such as shoes/leather, can goods, meat, cheese, rubber/tires, sugar, coffee, fuel, and metals to name a few. Each stamp authorized the holder to purchase rationed goods in the quantities and at the time designated by the Office of Price Administration. The purpose was also to make sure that everyone received their fair share of goods made scarce by the war.

"Rationing is a vital part of your country's war effort. Any attempt to violate the rules is an effort to deny someone his share and will create a hardship...Give your whole support to rationing and thereby conserve our vital goods. Be guided by the rule: "If you Don't need it, DON'T BUY IT." - - OPA: Office of Price Administration (1943).

This scrapbook page shows pictures of my aunts, my granddaddy, and my mother. I hope you enjoyed today's show & tell, and I would love to hear any stories you may have about family members during this time of rationing.