Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2018.002.001.E |
Object Name |
Bottle |
Title |
Pink Champale Bottle 4 |
Description |
The bottle is cylindrical, with a dark red color that slightly tapers towards the top. It features two labels. The top label is pink and wraps around the bottle. At the top of the label is a black inscription reading, "SERVE LIKE CHAMPAGNE." Below this inscription is a black circle containing a red and white logo. The logo depicts two unicorns standing on their hind legs, holding a shield adorned with a design resembling two castles. Beneath the logo, still within the circle, is the word "Originals" in white. The circle is surrounded by a series of black and red lines. Below the top label is another pink label located only on the front of the bottle. In the upper right corner of this label is a logo identical to the one on the top label, but it is rendered in gold, red, and dark blue. Beneath the logo is the inscription: "PINK Champale. FLAVORED MALT LIQUOR. 7 FLUID OZ. CERTIFIED COLOR AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR ADDED." The word "Champale" is written in black, while the rest of the inscription is in red. On the left side of the label is a vertically oriented, upside-down red inscription that reads: "CHAMPALE INC., TRENTON N.J. THE CHAMPALE PRODUCTS CORP., NORFOLK, V.A. COMPANIES OF IROQUOIS BRANDS LTD." An embossed inscription runs around the bottom of the bottle's front, right, left, and back sides, reading: "RECYCLABLE. DISPOSE OF PROPERLY." The bottle is sealed with a pink, circular metal cap, inscribed with: "PINK CHAMP. TWIST OFF. Originals. OR USE OPENER." The "PINK CHAMP" portion of the inscription is in pink on a black background, while the rest of the inscription is in black on a pink background. Between "TWIST OFF" and "Originals" is a black version of the logo found on the labels. On the bottom of the bottle, there is an embossed inscription that reads: "6733. 81. 3E. W. V." Inside the bottle is a liquid, presumed to be Pink Champale. According to Elina Shatkin of LA Weekly and Jeff Edelstein of the Trentonian, the Metropolis Brewing Company began manufacturing Champale in 1939. Champale is a type of malt liquor made with yeasts traditionally used in winemaking. The company later changed its name to Champale Inc. Champale was primarily marketed to African Americans and offered several varieties, including Extra Dry, Pink, and Gold Champale. When in operation, the brewing of Champale produced an unpleasant odor around the factory. The Trenton factory eventually closed in 1986. Over the following decades, ownership of Champale changed multiple times, and as of 2024, it is owned by Pabst. Citations Edelstein, J. (2021, August 28). It’s Time to Make America Champale Again. Trentonian. https://www.trentonian.com/2016/06/21/jeff-edelstein-its-time-to-make-america-champale-again/ Shatkin, E. (2019, May 23). Champale: The Champagne of Malt Liquors. LA Weekly. https://www.laweekly.com/champale-the-champagne-of-malt-liquors-video/ |
Year Range from |
1939 |
Year Range to |
1986 |
Material |
Glass, Paper, Metal, Liquid |
Artist |
Champale |
Height (in) |
6.000 |
Diameter (in) |
4.125 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Lots of tearing on the front of the labels. A few white accretions on the bottle. Front: The label on top is slightly torn at the top. Also, the label on the bottom is torn at the top and the bottom near the left side. Right Side: There are white accretions all over. Back: There are white discolorations all over the bottom. Left Side: There is nothing of note. Top: There is corrosion all over. Bottom: There is nothing of note. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Front, Top to Bottom, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"SERVE LIKE" Line 1 "CHAMPAGNE" Line 2 "Originals" Line 3 "PINK" Line 4 "Champale" Line 5 "FLAVORED MALT LIQUOR 7 FLUID OZ." Line 6 "CERTIFIED COLOR AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR ADDED" Line 7 "CHAMPALE INC., TRENTON, N.J." Line 8 "THE CHAMPALE PRODUCTS CORP., NORFOLK, V.A." Line 9 "COMPANIES OF IROQUOIS BRANDS LTD" Line 10 Inscription Embossed Back, Bottom, Left to Right "RECYCLABLE DISPOSE OF PROPERLY" Line 1 Manufacturer's Mark Stamped Top, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "TWIST OFF" Line 1 "PINK CHAMP" Line 2 "Originals" Line 3 "OR USE OPENER" Line 4 Inscription Embossed Bottom, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "6733" Line 1 "81 3E" Line 2 "W V" Line 3 |
Classification |
Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Water Drinking vessels Alcoholic beverages Liquor stores Liqueurs Glass Glassware Glass industry Unicorns |
Search Terms |
Champale Alcohol Liquor Box 20th Century 1939 1986 Trenton NJ New Jersey 20th Century Metropolis Brewing Company Pabst Gold Pink Extra Dry Red Elizabeth Yull Iroquois Brands Norfolk Virginia Glass Paper Metal Bottle Bottle Cap Unicorn Shield Castle Crown Norfolk Virgnia 7 Fluid Ounces OZ Artificial Flavor Champagne 6733 81 3E W V Red Black Silver Gold Unicorn Shield Castle Pink Champale Bottle 4 |
Provenance |
This item was donated to the library by Elizabeth Yull. It became apart of the Museum Collection in March of 2018. |