yes but - think I will forego the tradition in favour of retaining the fizz

thanks for the Wikipedia link - so what have I got to do now - discard all my real books and use a virtual world instead

But seriously thanks for the help, although because I don't get out enough I was ignorant of the apparent fact that Champagne was available (in England) as early as 1663.
A serious vote of thanks to Bernard for his wonderful contribution in 2006 (via the link) referring the =S= mark to John Stonier - which I was completely unaware of. Without examples of both sorts of the mark in from of me, can't say exactly which one is showing on my glass - which believe I am now correct in saying is not for bubbly, but rather for Sherry - but think in fact mine maybe the thicker heavier S, so this is the 1920's - 1930's I suppose. Wud agree with Bernard's feeling about the romantic aspect - perhaps, once, my glass graced the table of the Normandie or Carpathia. All I need now are the other five

thanks again to everone. Paul S.