Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.000 |
Object Name |
Can |
Title |
Pink Champale Can |
Description |
A pink, cylindrical-shaped can with various pictures and inscriptions on both the front and back. In the upper right corner of the front, there is a gold, black, and red logo featuring two unicorns standing on their hind legs, holding up a shield adorned with a design resembling two castles. Below the logo is the inscription, "PINK Champale." The word "PINK" is white and written normally, while "Champale" is in black script. Below the inscription, there is an image of a coupe glass filled with a pink liquid, presumed to be Pink Champale. Beneath the glass, a black inscription reads, "FLAVORED MALT LIQUOR. 12 FLUID OZ. CERTIFIED COLOR AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR ADDED."The back of the can mirrors the front, with the same logo and inscription. On the right side of the can, there is a red line with a white vertical inscription that reads, "CHAMPALE INC., TRENTON, N.J. 1970 CHAMPALE, INC." The left side of the can is unpainted. The top of the can is gold with a silver, circular can opener. 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" written vertically. The bottom of the can is also gold, featuring two triangular holes. An engraved inscription on the bottom reads, "7. 311." 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: Accretions and corrosion throughout. Front: There is a scratch on top near the left side. There is a light pink discoloration on top near the left side. There is a black accretion on the center near the middle. There is corrosion all over the bottom. And finally, there are dents near the left side. Right Side: There are black accretions on the bottom near the middle. There is corrosion all over the bottom. Also, there is corrosion all over the bottom. Back: There are black accretions on the bottom near the left side. There is corrosion all over the bottom. And finally, there are white accretions on the bottom near the right side. Left Side: There is corrosion all over. Top: There are black accretions on the center near the left side. Bottom: There is corrosion all around the edges and the holes. There are scratches on the center near the middle. And finally, some of the paint is chipped on the center near the left side. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Front+Back, Left-Right, Top-Bottom |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"PINK" Line 1 "Champale" Line 2 "FLAVORED MALT LIQUOR 12 FFLUID OZ." Line 3 "CERTIFIED COLOR AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR ADDED" Line 4 Manufacturer's Mark Stamped Right Side, Center, Top to Bottom "CHAMPALE INC., TRENTON, N.J. 1970 CHAMPALE, INC." Line 1 Inscription Embossed Top, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "DISPOSE OF" Line 1 "PROPERLY" Line 2 "PLEASE DON'T" Line 3 "LITTER" Line 4 "48-B" Line 5 Inscription Etched Back, Center, Middle "7" Line 1 "311" 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 Unicorn Shield Castle 12 FL OZ Fluid Ounces Pink Champale Can |
Provenance |
Found in collection |