During World War II, the US military prioritized sending available food and supplies to Europe and the Pacific. In order to conserve limited supplies and prevent price inflation on the home front, consumer goods were federally regulated. By order of the US Office of Price Administration, rationing throughout the United States began in the spring of 1942. A series of four ration books were issued between 1942 and the end of 1943. Several different methods of rationing, including uniform coupon rationing, point rationing, differential coupon rationing, and certificate rationing were used across the country. Besides ration books, ration coins were introduced in 1944 to allow shopkeepers to issue change for ration coupon purchases. By 1945, almost all consumer goods, with the exception of dairy and eggs, were limited by rationing. Sugar rationing continued until 1947 in parts of the United States. In an show of patriotism, many businesses promoted the rationing program, even if the company did not sell consumer products.

The ration books in this collection belonged to Bruce McIntosh (1874-1966), wife Daisy Pleasant McIntosh (1874-1958), daughter Hannah Brown di Zerega (1899-1988), son-in-law James Gasques di Zerega (1899-1950), and sister-in-law Mary Louise Titus (1889-1985). During the 1940s, the family lived together in Leesburg.