The engaged couple, Johnny Beaver and Reba Jones, inadvertently showing off her prized wartime stockings.
In 1941-1943 my Daddy was stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia. While there he offered to buy some groceries for his wife-to-be and her family. He was able to see her (and deliver groceries) almost every weekend because she lived only about 150 miles away.
Some of the prices of goods at the commissary were, according to him, “right cheap.” Sometimes Daddy was even able to procure hosiery for his sweetheart.
| String Beans | No. 2 can | 10¢ |
| Peaches | No. 2 ½ can | 16¢ |
| Pears | No. 2 ½ can | 17¢ |
| Beans with Pork | No. 2 ½ can | 08¢ |
| Tomato Juice | No. 20 oz. can (Campbell's) | 16¢ |
| Pineapple | No. 2 ½ can | 14¢ |
| Fruit Cocktail | No. 2 ½ can | 24¢ |
| Soups (Campbell's) | No. 1 can | 07¢ |
| Pickles Sweet and mixed (Heinz) | No. 24 oz. can | 29¢ |
| Pickles Sour (Heinz) | 24 oz. can | 26¢ |
| Sugar | 25 lb. | 06¢ /lb. |
| Rinso (Soap) | 24 oz. | 19¢ |
| Bacon | lb. | 29¢ |
| Lard | lb. | 14¢ |
Johnny Beaver is at the far left in the photograph of a military museum at Camp Lee, ca. 1942.
Copyright © 2002 Patricia B. Mitchell.