1939-1943 US 25 Cents U.S. Department Of Agriculture – Food Order Coupon Stamp

Condition: Condition Listed In Stamp Description

Grade: VF (Very Fine)
1939-1943 United States 25 Cents U.S. Department Of Agriculture – Food Order Coupon Stamp Unused 60% Original Gum (Inventory #- 113025_00235)From The U.S. Department Of Agriculture Website: 1939 – The First Food Stamp ProgramThe idea for the first Food Stamp Program (FSP) is credited to various people, most notably Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace and the program's first Administrator Milo Perkins. The program operated by permitting people on relief to buy orange stamps equal to their normal food expenditures. For every $1 worth of orange stamps purchased, 50 cents worth of blue stamps were received. Orange stamps could be used to buy any food. Blue stamps could only be used to buy food determined by the Department to be surplus.The first recipient was Mabel McFiggin of Rochester, New York on May 16, 1939. The first retailer to redeem the stamps was Joseph Mutolo, and the first retailer caught violating the program was Nick Salzano in October 1939. Over the course of nearly 4 years, the first FSP reached approximately 20 million people at one time or another in nearly half of the counties in the United States, peak participation was 4 million, at a total cost of $262 million. The program ended in the spring of 1943 "since the conditions that brought the program into being--unmarketable food surpluses and widespread unemployment--no longer existed."What This Poster Stamp Is All About: This Government Welfare Coupon Stamp Was Issued By The United States Department Of Agriculture During The Early Federal Food Stamp Plan To Provide A Twenty-Five-Cent Food Purchase Credit For Low Income Households Under The New Deal Program. This Government Produced Welfare Coupon Stamp Presents A Red Orange Engraved Design Featuring An Allegorical Female Bust Symbolizing American Agriculture At The Upper Left With Decorative Scrollwork Surrounding A Central Panel That States The Denomination Of Twenty Five Cents And Identifies The Piece As A Non Transferable Food Order Issued By The United States Department Of Agriculture With Additional Vertical Inscription Clarifying That Redemption Is Subject To Conditions Prescribed By The Secretary Of Agriculture All Rendered In A Formal Engraved Layout Typical Of Federal Coupon Production Between 1939 And 1943 And Showing Minor Wear Along The Perforated Edges Without Major Defects; Visible Text Reads: Original Language English USDA Twenty Five Cents Not Transferable Food Order Subject To Conditions Prescribed By The Secretary Of Agriculture Twenty Five English Translation Not Applicable Because The Original Text Is Already In English. Country Of Origin United States. Year Of Issue Circa 1939 To 1943.This Blue Twenty-Five-Cent USDA Surplus Food Order Stamp Comes From The Same Early Federal Food Stamp Plan Created In 1939 As Part Of The New Deal, But Unlike The Orange Stamps—Which Could Be Spent On Any Eligible Staple Food—The Blue Stamps Were Restricted Exclusively To Surplus Agricultural Commodities That The Government Needed To Move Into Civilian Markets. The Purpose Of The Blue Stamps Was Twofold: They Helped Reduce Excess Stockpiles Of Federally Purchased Surplus Foods Such As Milk, Eggs, Beans, Or Certain Vegetables While Also Ensuring That Low-Income Households Received Nutritional Items That The Government Considered Essential. Under The Rules Of The Program, Families On Relief Purchased Orange Stamps At Face Value And Received A Bonus Allotment Of Blue Stamps, Usually Worth Fifty Percent Of Their Orange Purchase, Making The Blue Stamp System A Kind Of Targeted Supplement Designed To Support Both Farmers And Families During The Final Years Of The Great Depression. The Twenty-Five-Cent Blue Issue Matches The Design Of The Orange Version—Featuring An Allegorical Female Personification Of Agriculture, USDA Identification, And The Statement Declaring That The Coupon Was Nontransferable And Governed By Regulations Of The Secretary Of Agriculture—But It Was Printed In Distinct Blue Ink To Prevent Misuse And To Mark Its Restricted Purchasing Category. These Stamps Were Distributed In Local Booklets As The Program Expanded City By City Beginning In 1939 And Were Valid Only At Authorized Retailers Participating In The Federal Plan. The Food Stamp Plan Continued Until 1943, When Wartime Economic Recovery And Increased Employment Made The Relief Structure Less Necessary, After Which The Entire System Was Discontinued Until Its Revival In A New Form During The 1960s. Today The Blue Twenty-Five-Cent Surplus Food Order Stamp Is Considered A Piece Of Early Federal Welfare Ephemera, Historically Important For Understanding How The United States First Attempted To Link Farm Surplus Management With Urban Food Assistance On The Eve Of World War II.Please Take A Moment To Read And Understand My Terms And Conditions Of Sale Below. Your Satisfaction And Confidence In Every Purchase Are Very Important To Me. If You Have Any Questions, I Am Always Happy To Help Before You Buy. If You Do Not Agree With These Terms, Please Kindly Refrain From Making A Purchase. Thank You So Much For Your Understanding, Trust, And Continued Support Of My Listings.Please Note That Any Discoloration, Lines, Or Marks Visible On The Scan Are From The Acetate Or Protective Page Holding The Stamp During Scanning. The Stamp Itself Is Free Of Such Defects Except Those Specifically Mentioned In The Description. I Never Alter Scans To Conceal Or Change The Condition Of A Stamp; The Only Adjustments Made Are Cropping Or Straightening For Clarity.We're Happy To Combine Shipping On Multiple Orders To Help You Save! Please Wait For A Combined Invoice Before Making Payment. Once Items Are Paid Separately, We Regret That Combined Shipping Discounts Can No Longer Be Applied. Excess Postage Is Cheerfully Refunded Within 48 Hours.Please Note That In Order To Ensure Safe Delivery, I May Choose Not To Ship To Certain Countries For High-Value Orders. When Extra Security Is Needed, A Minimum $25 Registered Shipping Fee Will Be Required To Protect Your Purchase..All Items Shipped Within The United States Are Sent By First Class Mail Using Hip Standard Envelope With Tracking. International Orders Are Shipped By United States Postal Service First Class Mail Without Tracking. In Both Cases, I Do Not Assume Responsibility For Loss Or Damage Once The Envelope Has Been Delivered To The Post Office. All International Shipments Are Photographed And Hand-Cancelled At The Post Office To Provide Proof Of Mailing. If You Would Prefer Your Item To Be Tracked And Insured, Please Contact Me In Advance So I May Provide The Cost For This Service. If You Are Not In Agreement With These Terms, Kindly Refrain From Placing An Order. Thank You For Your UnderstandingA Friendly Note Before You Buy...Why Buy From Me?With Over 8,000 Positive Reviews On Hip Stamp. You Can Buy With Confidence! Consistently Delivering Outstanding Customer Service.With Over 50 Years Of Business Experience In New York And Florida Across Various Enterprises, I Bring A Lifetime Of Integrity, Reliability, And Expertise To Every Transaction. I Am Proud To Serve On The Membership Committee And Board Of Directors Of The Internet Philatelic Dealers Association (IPDA Member #443) And Am Also A Member Of The Poster Stamp Collectors Club (PSCC Member #101). My Longstanding Reputation Is Built On Exceptional Customer Service, Attention To Detail, And A Deep Knowledge Of Philately, Ephemera, Antiques And Collectibles. When You Buy From Me, You're Buying From A Trusted Professional Dedicated To Accurate Descriptions, Secure Shipping, And A Positive Experience Every Time. Buy With Confidence Because Your Satisfaction And Security Are Always My Top Priorities.Thanks So Much For Stopping By! Most Of The Poster Stamps And Cinderellas I Offer Are Truly Old Historic Treasures! Many Are Close To 100 Years Old Or More. Because Of Their Age, You Might Notice A Few Minor Imperfections Here And There. They're Full Of History And Character, But They Most Definitely Aren't Post Office Fresh. That's Especially True For Cinderella And Poster Stamps, So Please Take A Good Look At The Scans Because They're An Important Part Of The Description. Also, Please Note That The Backs Of Poster Stamps Are Typically Considered Much Less Important Than The Fronts, And Descriptions Can Be A Bit Subjective. If The Condition Of The Back Is Important To You, Just Reach Out. I Am Happy To Provide More Details Or Additional Scans.I Do My Best To Describe Everything Honestly And Accurately, And To The Best Of My Ability, I Guarantee That All Items Are Genuine (Unless Otherwise Noted). I'm Not A Philatelic Expert, Just A Passionate Collector And Seller Who Cares About Getting It Right. Occasionally A Mistake Might Slip Through, But If An Item Turns Out To Be Fundamentally Not As Described, I'll Make It Right With A Refund.Please Feel Free To Reach Out With Any Questions Or If You'd Like To See More Photos. I'm Always Happy To Help Before You Buy.Your Satisfaction Is My Top Priority. The Rest Is Just A Bonus. Thanks Again, And Happy Hunting!

Seller Information

Seller

Oldbrooklynguy (8182)

Registered Since

03/01/2022

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Store

New York Stamps and Ephemera

Item Location

Florida, United States

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Worldwide

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No