Champion (5)

U.S. record label (1925-1936). Shellac, 10", 78 RPM releases. The Champion label was originally manufactured by the Gennett Records masters, most issues were pseudonymous. Master numbers were erased from early pressings and cited on labels in reverse form (e.g. Gennett master 9656 = false Champion master 6569). By 1927, no master numbers at all were put on Champion records.

The Champion Electrograph label was introduced in early 1927, concurrently with the Gennett Electrobeam label. These issues were mainly electric recordings, although some acoustically recorded material was released on these labels. Most Champion releases bore red labels, but other colors appeared during the 1930s as Starr used up surplus paper stock, including black and dark green.

As with the Decca Records, Inc.. Kapp reintroduced the Champion label in August, 1935 in popular (40000), country music (45000) and race-record/hot dance band (50000) series. Decca finally discontinued the label in April, 1936.