Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2018.002.001.F |
Object Name |
Bottle |
Title |
Pink Champale Bottle 5 |
Description |
The bottle is cylindrical, featuring a dark red color that tapers slightly toward the top. It has two labels. The top label is pink and wraps around the entire bottle. At the top of the label is a black inscription that reads, "SERVE LIKE CHAMPAGNE." Beneath this 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 of two castles. Below the logo, still inside the circle, is the word "Originals" in white. The circle is surrounded by several black and red lines. Below the top label is a second 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 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 text is in red. To the left side of the label, vertically and upside down, is a 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 along 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, which has the inscription: "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 text is 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 logo that reads: "6733. 81. 14. 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: Tears and white discolorations throughout Front: The label on top is torn at the top. There is a tear on the bottom label on the bottom near the right side. And finally, there is tearing all along the right edge of the bottom label. Right Side: There are white discolorations all over. Also, the label on top is torn at the top. Left Side: There are white discolorations on top. 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 14" 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 1939 1986 20th Century 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 14 W V Red Black Silver Gold Unicorn Shield Castle Pink Champale Bottle 5 |
Provenance |
This item was donated to the library by Elizabeth Yull. It became apart of the Museum Collection in March of 2018. |