Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.001 |
Object Name |
Can |
Title |
Extra Dry Champale Can |
Description |
A cylindrical can with a dark green upper half and a light green lower half, featuring inscriptions and images on both the front and back. In the upper right corner of the front, there is a gold, black, and red logo depicting two unicorns standing on their hind legs, holding up a shield that has a design resembling two castles. Below the logo is the inscription, "Sparkling EXTRA DRY Champale." The word "Sparkling" is written in red script, "EXTRA DRY" is in light green and written normally, and "Champale" is in white script. Below the inscription, there is an image of a coupe glass filled with a yellow liquid, presumed to be Extra Dry Champale. Beneath the image, a black inscription reads, "MALT LIQUOR. 12 FL. OZ." The back of the can mirrors the front. On the right side of the can, there is a dark green line with a white inscription that reads, "CHAMPALE INC., TRENTON, N.J. THE CHAMPALE PRODUCTS CORP., NORFOLK, VA. 1970 CHAMPALE, INC. 1970 THE CHAMPALE PRODUCTS CORP." The left side of the can is unpainted. The top of the can is gold, with a silver circular can opener attached. An embossed inscription on the top reads, "DISPOSE OF PROPERLY. PLEASE DON'T LITTER. 48-B," with "PLEASE DON'T LITTER" written upside down and "48-B" vertically. The bottom of the can is also gold, with two circular holes on the right and left sides. An embossed inscription on the bottom reads, "7. 201." 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/ |
Date |
1970 |
Material |
Metal |
Artist |
Champale |
Height (in) |
4.500 |
Diameter (in) |
2.500 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Corrosion, accretions, and scratches throughout. Front: There is corrosion all over the bottom. Also, there is a scratch on the center near the left side. Right Side: There is corrosion all over the bottom. Back: There is corrosion all over the bottom. There are brown accretions on the center near the middle. And finally, there are black accretions on the bottom near the left side. Left Side: There is corrosion all over. Also, there are scratches on top near the left side. Top: There is nothing of note. Bottom: There is corrosion all around the edges. There are black accretions on the center near the middle. And finally, some of the paint is chipped on top near the middle. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Front+Back, Left-Right, Top-Bottom |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"Sparkling" Line 1 "EXTRA DRY" Line 2 "Champale" Line 3 "MAL LIQUOR 12 FL. OZS." Line 4 Manufacturer's Mark Stamped Right SIde, Center, Top to Bottom "Champale INC., TRENTON, N.J. THE CHAMPALE PRODUCTS CORP., NORFOLK, VA." Line 1 "1970 CHAMPALE, INC. 1970 THE CHAMPALE PRODUCTS CORP." Line 2 Inscription Embossed Top, Left to Right, Top to Bottom "DISPOSE OF" Line 1 "PROPERLY'" Line 2 "PLEASE DON'T" Line 3 "LITTER" Line 4 "48-B" Line 5 Inscription Etched Bottom, Center, Middle "7" Line 1 "201" Line 2 |
Classification |
Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Water Drinking vessels Alcoholic beverages Liquor stores Liqueurs Cans Unicorns |
Search Terms |
Champale Can Gold Silver Coupe Alcohol Trenton New Jersey NJ Liquor Cup Sparkling 1939 1986 1970 20th Century Metropolis Brewing Company Pabst Gold Pink Extra Dry Green Unicorn Shield Castle Virginia Norfolk 12 FL OZ Fluid Ounces Extra Dry Champale Can |
Provenance |
Found in collection |