THE RUMPH Home » Browse The Rumph Pieces » Tankards » Golds Gym Tankard


Golds Gym Tankard



This extremely rare piece measures 8" tall, 10.5" wide, and 5" deep. It weighs about 5 pounds. It is hand-scratched "© 1978 MIND CIRCUS JRUMPH" and "WOOF WOOF" on the bottom.

Produced: 1978
Rarity Ranking :
Added on: 08/23/2004
Added by: George H Scithers from Pennsylvania
Estimated Value : RUMPH Prices


Add information about this item Add information about this piece


Added Information:

The bodybuilder mug was made BY Jim Rumph in the hope that Ken Sprague, then the owner of Gold's (bodybuilding) Gym, then a single gym rather than the present wide-spread franchise, would WANT to commission a run of the things for sale at Gold's Gym and possibly by mail order.

For whatever reason, Sprague went no further with the project, and I wound up with the item. As far as I know, it is the only copy made from the master and molds that Rumph created. It certainly shows Rumph's skill as a sculptor. Unfortunately, making as an open-topped mug resulted in a top-heavy work; had there been more interest in the project, Rumph might have redesigned it as simply a piece of ceramic sculpture, with the opening in the base instead of at the top. Unfortunately, none of those involved made the suggestion at the time.
Added by George H Scithers from Pennsylvania on 08/23/2004

HAND-ETCHED on the bottom of the mug is "© 1978 MIND CIRCUS J RUMPH". JIM RUMPH created this exquisite piece as a BODYBUILDING AWARDS CUP prototype for GOLD'S GYM, in it's 1978 pre-franchise days. Gold's did not utilize this item, however. This prototype was presented by RUMPH as a gift to me. Sometimes referred to as a "MUG" or "STEIN", this GOLD'S GYM BODYBUILDER PROTOTYPE ITEM was, in fact, intended as a "Winners Circle" TROPHY.
Added by Verne Langdon from Montecito-by-the-Sea, California on 02/16/2005
I have a studio photo that shows at least four were made. I'm having them professionally scanned as we speak and will have it up on my own website when I get around to building it.
Added by Brian Hunt from Portlandia on 05/06/2017