Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2018.002.001.B |
Object Name |
Bottle |
Title |
Pink Champale Bottle 1 |
Description |
The bottle is cylindrical in shape, featuring a red and pink design. The bottle itself is a dark red color, tapering slightly towards the top. It has two distinct labels. The top label is silver and wraps around the bottle. The upper portion of the label features a dark blue inscription that reads, "SERVE LIKE CHAMPAGNE." Below this, there is a dark blue circle containing a red and white logo, which depicts two unicorns standing on their hind legs, each holding up a shield. The shield features a design resembling two castles. Inside the circle, below the logo, is the word "Originals" written in white. Radiating from the circle are several dark blue and red lines. The second label, located beneath the silver one, is primarily pink and is positioned only on the front of the bottle. In the upper right corner of the pink label is a logo identical to the one on the silver label, but in gold, red, and dark blue. Below the logo, the label reads: "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. Additionally, on the left side of the label, there is a second inscription written vertically and upside down: "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 front of the bottle bottle reading: "RECYCLABLE. DISPOSE OF PROPERLY." The bottle is sealed with a pink, circular metal cap, which is inscribed with: "PINK CHAMP. TWIST OFF. Originals. OR USE OPENER." The words "PINK CHAMP" are pink with a black background, while the rest of the inscription is black with a pink background. Between "TWIST OFF" and "Originals," there is a black version of the logo found on the labels. Finally, on the bottom of the bottle, there is an embossed inscription that reads, "6733. 81. 25. 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) |
2.125 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: The labels are tearing and coming off at multiple points. Front: The label on top is torn around the edges. The label on the bottom is torn slightly near the upper left corner. And finally, the label on the bottom is coming undone on the right side. Right Side: The label on top is torn slightly at the top. Back: The label on top is torn at the top. Left Side: The label on top is torn at the 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 25" 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 25 W V Red Blue Black Silver Gold Unicorn Shield Castle Pink Champale Bottle 1 |
Provenance |
This item was donated to the library by Elizabeth Yull. It became apart of the Museum Collection in March of 2018. |