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PENS AND WRITING EQUIPMENT

Quills & early writing tools

Quills have been used for at least 13 centuries and were the most common form of writing instrument in the West until the end of the 19thC - the reed pen and brush were most popular in Asia. Geese were the most common source of quill, but feathers from swans, crows, turkeys, and ducks were also used. The finest quills were made from the first three flight feathers on each wing; after plucking, the tips were conditioned by being placed in hot ash, and the quills cut with a sharp knife. Both cut and uncut quills were sold by stationers and booksellers. Most scribes and clerks cut or sharpened their own quills, using a range of cutting tools, and quills were still used at the underwriters Lloyds of London until the 1980s.

Parchment

Most early important documents, particularly deeds, were produced on parchment - the skin of an animal (usually a sheep or goat). However, as paper improved in quality, parchment became much less widely used. Presentation was important, and scribes would pierce the sides of each page at regular intervals and join the holes with pencil lines, so that the text would be straight and neat.

Boxes of quills

Most quills were trimmed to remove the barb and sold by the dozen. Quill slips (small quill nibs, popular from 1815 to 1840) were also sold by stationers. The boxes in which cut quills or quill slips were sold are rarely found in good condition but can be as valuable as the quills or slips themselves. Boxes of quill nibs by the firms of Bramah or Mordan are especially prized.

Writing tools

A scribe's main tools were a sharp knife and a spade-shaped "eraser" to scrape the parchment surface. The majority of tools were of horn, ebony, or ivory. Most very early knives have a peg on the end of a short stock, used to split the quill; later (19thC) knives have oval-shaped handles with pointed ends. From 1800 to 1900 small folding knives were used for cutting pens, and from c.1850 combined knives and erasers on one blade were popular. The value of a knife is increased if it is still with its original case.

Pen-making tools

Commercial growth in the 19thC created an increasingly large number of written documents, which in turn boosted the writing-equipment business. In London most pen makers and stationers were located in Fleet Street, Cornhill, and Charing Cross. They specialized in selling quills and pen-making tools such as this rare early compendium, by Thomas Lund. With an ivory body and a lignum vitae case, it contains a wafer seal, wafers, quill-knife blades, a toothpick, and a lancet to stop the quill blades being used for bleeding.

Quill cutters

Although machines for cutting quills were first designed in the 17thC, the most common ones found today are those based on Bramah's patent of 1812. The hand machines, sold in morocco leather cases, had scissor-like mechanisms to form the quill and slit the nib. The handle, usually of ebony, ivory, or horn, often had a folding or sliding knife blade and a device known as a "nibber", which could alter the slant or width of the nib.

FACT FILE - Quill cutters

" Genuine quill-knife blades have flat and curved sides to facilitate cutting curved scallops.
" Quill cutters with horn and mother-of-pearl handles are rarer than those with ivory or (most common) ebony handles.
" Quill cutters are most valuable if they feature the mark of a known maker. Look out for blades by J.Wolstenholme (marked "IXL") and Rodgers (marked with a star and a Maltese cross).

Early dip pens & nibs

The main disadvantage of quills and quill nibs was that they were soft and had to be frequently re-cut, which created a need for the invention of a more durable writing tool. Metal pens had been produced in the 18thC, but these early examples were either inflexible and easily corroded by the acid ink (those made of steel and brass) or too soft (those made of gold). With the development of flexible steel processing, the invention of coatings to reduce corrosion, and the use of less acidic inks, steel nibs gradually replaced quills. Birmingham in England became the centre for the pen trade, and by 1880 more than one billion steel pen nibs were produced there every year.

Quill-slip and nib holders

Dip pens require a clamping device or ferrel to secure the metal nib or quill slip. The early designs by Longmore and Bramah, used a complex slide-ring system, but were superseded by more economic simple ferrels from c.1845. The most common shafts are made of wood or metal, but some pens were produced in such exotic materials as mother-of-pearl, sharkskin, tortoiseshell, and porcupine quill.

Glass dip pens

Dip pens made of glass were popular in the 19thC, but good examples are rare because fluted glass nibs were quite prone to chipping. Such pens were also sold as marking and copying pens because they could withstand heavy pressure. Coloured examples and pens with figural finials are most prized. However, watch out for modern Italian reproductions.

Steel nibs

A vast range of steel nibs for dip pens was produced in the 19thC for use in schools, offices, and banks, and by artists and calligraphers. These would have been carried by a traveling salesman to present his range to prospective clients. A large example by A.Sommerville & Co. contains 440 different nibs of all different sizes and widths. As it was rarely clear whether a company had manufacturing facilities or purely subcontracted work, collectors of steel nibs generally refer to "issuers". Sommerville was a founding partner of Perry & Co. and probably did not make nibs itself after 1870.

Nibs boxes

Many writing-equipment enthusiasts collect not only pens and nibs but also the boxes in which they were sold, in a vast range of different designs. Most Birmingham pen-making companies produced boxes of nibs for export, and packaged their products in a variety of designs and languages.

Tubular nibs

Very early metal pens consisted simply of shaped tubes slipped over quills. The nib was integral to the tube, which obviated the need for a ferrel. Such tubular nibs were often made for promotional purposes with custom-stamped logos, for example to advertise stationers' shops. Attractive boxes with one shaft and a dozen nibs are very collectible.

FACT FILE - Steel nibs

" It took between 12 and 15 stages of manufacture to produce steel nibs. The process involved: rolling and annealing Sheffield sheet steel; cutting and slitting the sides of nib blanks; further annealing; stamping and then curving the nib; tempering, grinding, and slitting the nib; and finally chemically treating and lacquering the end product." Despite this lengthy process, the large quantity produced kept prices low.

Later dip pens & stands

The dip pen was the most common writing instrument from 1840 until 1940, and they were still used in British schools (where traditional desks were fitted with porcelain inkwells) until the early 1950s. The variety from simple wooden-handled examples to exquisite, ornate designs is vast; some were made as individual items, others as part of writing sets for the desk or for travel. Pen stands, including those designed for communal writing areas in offices and banks, where dip pens were increasingly used to sign documents and checks, are becoming very collectible.

Decorative dip pens

Many decorative dip pens were fashioned from silver and gold. Value is determined primarily by the quality of the decoration, the maker, the balance, and the quality and size of the nib. Pens with maker's marks, such as the American Gorham Manufacturing Co. and by the British firm of Mordan, fetch a premium, as do those with novelty mechanisms such as nib ejectors. Dents to the shaft and split nib holders (quite common) reduce the value.

Pen stands

Stands and rests designed to hold a number of pens are often found as part of inkstands, but separate pen stands are rare. The example shown is made of cast iron, but similar ones were made in wood, brass, and silver, such as a standard wooden dip pen and a popular mother-of-pearl retractable nib pen made by Mabie Todd in New York.

Pen trays

Made in brass, pewter, glass, metal, and porcelain, pen trays, are essentially desk tidiers designed to hold nibs, pens, and seals. Trays made of glass were often part of wooden inkstands.

"Combos"

Many makers combined a dip pen and a pencil in one instrument, called a "combo". Other combinations are more compact and look like telescopic pencils, such as a German pencil which extends beyond the nib when the shaft is pushed.

Small pen stands

In addition to the large stands produced for use in offices and public-sector buildings, smaller stands for individual purposes were also made. Some were of cast bronze, but most were made in cast iron or brass. The dip pen is an unusual ebony design by Mabie Todd of New York and features a detachable gold tubular "No.7" nib - the larger the number, the bigger the nib.

FACT FILE - Notable designs

Other collectable dip pens include:

Crystal-shafted pens with filigree decoration (often of a small snake)
Agate-, amber-, or tortoiseshell-shafted pens (often sold in sets with a seal and a paper-knife)
American sculptured pens by Unger Brothers (demand premium prices)
examples with stanhopes in carved ivory, bog oak, or wood

Red, hard-rubber dip pens (Ormiston & Glass)
Russian, French, and Italian multi-coloured glass pens.

Fountain pens: basics

When you purchase a pen, the two most important factors in determining its value are the condition and the originality. Dealers use a grading system to reflect the condition, which should help new enthusiasts; originality is best verified using a good reference manual. Experience will improve your judgment, but it is good practice to examine a prospective purchase carefully, using an eyeglass. It is quite probable that an 80-year-old pen will have been repaired, but if this has been carried out professionally, using the correct replacement parts, then the value should not be affected. There are three principal parts of a pen to check: the barrel (the main body of the pen and the filling system), the cap (including a clip or clip ring), and the nib unit (the nib and feed).

Caps and clips

Caps, made form metal or plastic, often have another cap fitted internally to seal the pen, and either push or screw onto the barrel. Clips or ring tops are usually attached by rivets, lugs, or screws. Watch out for lip cracks, chips, shrinkage, discoloration, and broken clips, and make sure that the colours of the barrel and the cap match.

Barrels & filling systems

The barrel is where the ink reservoir and filling system (usually involving a rubber sac or piston) are contained. When you examine a pen, never force the filling lever piston as this may cause irreversible damage. Avoid examples with gaping lever slots, distorted barrels (check by rolling on a flat surface), cracks, cigarette burns, and bad discoloration, as most of these defects cannot be rectified.

Components of a pen

The nib, which is normally 14- or 18-carat gold, should be in good condition, with an iridium tip. Check the name on the nib in case it is an inappropriate replacement, which would be costly to change; the section should not be damaged by tools, and the "comb" should not be broken. Old rubber sacs harden and disintegrate easily, but this is not too great a problem, as they are simple to replace.

Body materials

The first non-metal bodies were made of vulcanized rubber (usually black, reinforced with carbon; red, reinforced with iron oxide; or a mix of the two). From the 1920s plastics such as casein and cellulose nitrate were used for barrels and caps in a variety of colours, patterns, and finishes.

Restoration

Pens that do not function are significantly less valuable than those in good working order. It is advisable, especially with very valuable pens, to leave repair to a professional restorer, as there is always a risk of damage, no matter how simple the repair. However, most pens can be restored to working condition, and restoration is becoming increasingly popular among collectors. Consequently, repair tools such as the Parker repair block, with J-shaped nib tool and black section clamp, are collectible as well as of practical use.

FACT FILE - Grade for condition

A: mint - never used, still in original wrapping.
B: excellent - as new.
C: very good - used, but everything present and in good working order.

D: good - some wear, scratches, slight brassing, complete with a correct nib.
E: poor - scratches, brassing, unrepaired, bent nib.
F: valuable as parts only - some salvageable parts, not worth repair.

Fountain pens

A fountain pen is a pen that contains its own reservoir of ink. Such pens were mentioned c.1663 by the English diarist Samuel Pepys, and the earliest known examples were made c.1690 by Nicholas Bion, instrument maker to Louis XIV (reigned 1643-1715). Bion's pen design of a simple tubular metal reservoir leading to a quill nib was widely copied in the 18thC. During the 19thC, patents for reservoir pens were granted to an extensive range of manufacturers including Sheaffer, Parker, Folsch, and Moseley. However, many early pens suffered from irregular flow of ink so the writing tips, and an acknowledged breakthrough did not come until a feed system, which facilitated a regular supply of ink to the nib, was developed by the American firm of Waterman in 1883. This date is considered to be the birth of the fountain pen, and marks the start of the marketing of such pens.

Tapered caps

Early fountain pens were made from tubes of ebonite with nib units screwed into them and caps to protect the nibs. Such pens were filled using bulbed rubber eyedroppers. Early examples featured protective "push-on" caps to protect the nibs, but such caps often cracked, so versions that tapered both in shape and internally were introduced. Caps did not feature pocket clips until c.1904. This pen was made by Waterman; fountain pens made by this firm before 1900 are especially rare.

Cartridge pens

The first popular cartridge pen was produced in the USA in the 1890s by the Eagle Pencil Co. of New York. A glass cartridge full of ink was pushed onto the peg of the nib unit and then fitted back into the barrel of the pen. Spiral or black hexagonal cases are relatively rare but not of high value.

Decorative pens

Pens with elaborately decorated cases have long been produced as symbols of wealth and status. Most decorative pens had bodies embellished with metal overlay, as black hard-rubber cases were considered dull. Many of these decorative pens were produced for pen companies by silversmiths, using such techniques as engraving, filigree, and repoussé. The rare and delicate silver pen featured below is by the firm of MacNiven & Cameron and features its trademark curved Wavely pen nib.

De-luxe designs

Some makers produced top-of-the-range fountain pens, decorated with exotic materials and heavily worked precious metal. Notable examples are by Heath for Parker (filigree and mother-of-pearl pens), and Waterman (elaborate silver designs). Such pens represent superb quality but are correspondingly highly priced. More affordable, and still very attractive, are the repoussé and gold-filled overlay pens of Marbie Todd, Aiken Lambert, Wirt, and Salz. American makers were particularly reputed for their overlay designs.

Eyedroppers

Swan eyedroppers, made by Mabie Todd, were by successful and were made over a longer period (1895-1950) than any other eyedropper, making them the most common example found today. Early designs, such as the eyedropper hung from a châtelaine, feature a bayonet cap, an under-and-over feed, and a twisted silver wire inside the barrel to improve the ink flow; later models used a single underfeed. Eyedroppers were also produced by Waterman over a fairly long period, and still featured in the firm's 1920s trade catalogues. Red-and-black vulcanite eyedroppers are quite rare and collectable.

FACT FILE - Values

Some of the most valuable fountain pens are eyedroppers.
The most paid for an eyedropper at auction was $26,400 (1996) for a Waterman "Snake" pen.
Very rare eyedroppers exchange hands privately for prices up to $33,000.
Exceptionally rare fountain pens include "Aztec", "Snake", "Ribbon", "Swastika", "Primrose", and "Lily".

Filling Systems

From 1900 the main aim of pen makers was to produce self-filling pens that did not require any accessories (for example, eyedroppers). Most makers developed systems using flexible rubber sacs to hold the ink, and devised different ways of expelling air from the sac prior to filling, although some makers still used the barrel of the pen as the ink reservoir but with the addition of a piston or plunger. Both systems had their drawbacks - sacs perished, and piston seals deteriorated - but, in general, pens with rubber sacs were more practical than those without. Some enthusiasts concentrate solely on collecting pens that illustrate the range of filling systems invented; in addition, this includes blow fillers, coin fillers, matchstick fillers, and sleeve fillers.

Piston fillers

The design for the piston filler used by the Onoto company, invented by George Sweester, was sold to Evelyn De La Rue's firm in 1905. Some early examples have under-and-over feeds; the metal overfeed is part of a robust manifold nib and was designed for duplicating. De La Rue had made pens since 1881, but the piston model, which remained in production until the 1950s, was most its most successful one. Gold and silver overlay models are particularly prized.

Crescent fillers

Conklin, originally based in Toledo, Ohio, is famous for its crescent filler, invented in 1898 and patented in 1901. A simple pressure bar fixed in position by a metal crescent and a rotating band was used to compress the rubber sac inside the barrel of the pen. The filling system helped to make Conklin the fifth largest pen company in the world by the 1920s.

Piston fillers

Although some pens have pistons, they operate on very different principles. The "international" pen features a simple suction syringe, which pulls ink into the barrel; the pen by Chilton has a rubber sac with a piston system used to depress the sac. Pens by Chilton are of a high quality and very collectable. Pens with syringes have the disadvantage of a low-link capacity.

Lever fillers

Although Sheaffer designed the lever filling system in 1907, it was not used until 1913 when the firm started production in Fort Madison. The filling systems consisted of a lever fixed to the barrel, which adjusted a pressure bar to compress the rubber sac. Although far from perfect - the slot for fitting the lever often weakened or distorted the barrel, particularly with poor-quality plastic pens - the lever became the most popular and imitated filling system invented.

Button fillers

Introduced c.1908, the button filler was adapted by Parker and used as its main filling system until the mid-1930s. The pressing down of a button covered by a blind cap caused the pressure bar to depress the rubber sac inside the pen. Button fillers were slightly more complicated to manufacture than lever fillers, but were more robust, and are among the easiest pens to repair. Examples were also made by Wyvern and Conway Stewart.

FACT FILE - Company preferences

In the 1920s major makers tended to use one filling system only: Eversharp Wahl: lever, De La Rue: piston, Parker: button, Waterman: lever, Sheaffer: lever, "Swan": lever.
In the 1930s, all except Waterman used a variety of systems.

Flat tops

From the earliest production of self-filling pens c.1905 until the late 1920s, the majority of fountain pens were designed as straight-sided tubes with flat tops and buttons - hence the name "flat top". The earliest examples were produced in black hard rubber, then in red, and combinations of red and black. By the end of the 1920s all the major firms in Europe and the USA, including Mabie Todd, De La Rue, Parker, Waterman, Sheaffer, Eversharp Wahl, Bayard, Pelikan, and Omas, had moved from using hard rubber to production in the wide range of newly available, brightly coloured synthetic polymers.

New plastics

Sheaffer was the first company to use new materials on a large scale. In 1924 it introduced a new range of pens made from cellulose nitrate, which it called "Radite". The early Sheaffers were made in "black" and "coral" as well as "jade". These early pens tended to discolour and fade when exposed to light, or developed dark stains from coming into contact with ink. Examples with pristine colour are rare and valuable, as colour is probably the most important value factor for fountain pens.

Rare designs

Pens that were difficult to manufacture, had performance weaknesses, or simply did not sell well, often had short production lives. As these pens were made only in small quantities they are now rare and often very collectable. The yellow "Mandarin Duofold" by Parker, produced from 1928 until 1932, is such an example and, although not a success with the public, is now one of the most sought-after pens among collectors. Unfortunately, the light colour accentuates any defect in the body, so examples with good, clean, even colour and no cracks in the cap command a premium.

Classic designs

The classic Amercian-made Parker "Duofold" was introduced in 1922 and was an immediate success. Originally available in black or red hard rubber, it was produced from 1925 in "Permanite", and from 1926 in other colours, such as "lapis", "jade", and "pearl". The red version of the "Duofold Senior" became known as the "Big Red". The range included smaller and slimmer models such as the "Junior", the "Deluxe" with a broad cap band, and the rarest size, the "Special", which is the same diameter as the "Junior" and the same length as the "Senior". Good "lapis", "pearl", and "jade" examples are rare; early examples, such as the red hard-rubber "Senior", which does not feature a cap band, are all highly priced.

Woodgrain & mottled effects

Depending how black and other colours are extruded, mottled and woodgrain effects can be produced. Mabie Todd used mottled finishes, and Eversharp Wahl used woodgrain finishes for its red-and-black hard-rubber pens. The "Swan" flat-top lever fill is one of the largest models made. The "Personal Point" pen (also lever filled) by Eversharp Wahl has a unique roller-ball clip and a quantity seal on the cap.

Ripple effects

In 1929 the "94" pen by Waterman was available in "ripple rose", "ripple olive", and "ripple blue/green". Other Waterman ripples available, were in the "52" to "58" series or the "5" and "7" series. The "7" has a purple band on the cap and a keyhold nib, which is stamped "Purple" - Waterman's code for a stiff, fine-nibbed pen for shorthand and bookkeeping.

FACT FILES - Materials

The range of materials used to make pens includes hard rubber (from the 1850s), celluloid (from the 1860s), casein (from 1910), cellulose nitrate (from the 1920s), cellulose acetate (from the 1930s), acrylics (from the 1930s), and pressure plastics (1940s).

Innovations & desk units

In the 1920s and 1930s, as the fountain-pen market boomed, companies were continually trying to think of new ways to impress customers. Contrasts of different materials, overlays, dramatic use of colour, metal trim, coloured plastic rings, and coloured grooves were all employed to increase a pen's attraction. Desk units - the successor to 19thC inkstands - became popular and were made in a dazzling range of shapes, sizes, and designs.

Mottled pens by Conway Stewart

Early pens by Conway Stewart were lever-fill pens with stepped clips similar to those found on early "Swan" pens by Mabie Todd. Later 1930s models, featured ring clips and hard-rubber clip screws with integral inner caps. Black-and-red hard rubber was frequently used by Conway Stewart, not only for whole pens but also for sections and clip screws, thus adding elegant decoration to black barrels and caps.

Filigree pens by Waterman

Most pen manufacturers made premium products with overlay decoration to tempt customers. Overlay designs by Waterman, were very popular and were made in six versions - "Vine", "Filigree", "Gothic", "Sheraton", "Pansy", and "Basketweave" -in both silver or gold, and in a design known as "Moderne" in silver only. Good condition is vital with overlay designs, particularly on gold-filled examples, so check for lever damage and brassing.

Colour pens by Conklin

By the early 1920s the success of Conklin's crescent fill pens had established the firm's reputation as one of the leading American pen makers. The crescent filler was replaced by a simple lever filler c.1922. In general, ring tops are less popular with collectors, and this is reflected in a lower price. Later pens by Conklin such as the "Nozac" and Symetrik" are very popular and collectable.

Metal pens by Parker

This early hard-rubber ring-top pen by Parker is overlaid with gold-filled metal. It has a patented "lucky curve" feed to enhance ink flow - "lucky curve" was regularly promoted by Parker from 1905 to 1929 as a guarantee of top-quality design and performance. Such metal pens often suffer from brassing of the gold and corrosion of the section, so only examples in good condition are of significant value. The presence of a matching pencil (rare) and the leather case add to the value.

Desk units

Pen holders for desktops were very popular in the 1920s. A range of designs was made, including ornate figures cast in bronze, attached to a marble or agate base and combined with clocks and lamps. A desk unit by Parker was one of a number of designs supplied with a "Duofold pen". In the 1930s Parker also made popular desk units in conjunction with the ceramics firm of Carlton.

FACT FILE - Waterman coding

Waterman pens have numerical identity codes on the end of the barrels.
The last number refers to the nib and pen size.
The second to last digit describes the cap and filling details:1=cone cap, 2=taper cap, 5=lever fill.
The remaining numbers describe the overlay: 2=silver barrel only, 3=gold barrel only, 4=silver barrel and cap, 5=gold barrel and cap, 05=gold filled.

Streamlined pens

The financial turbulence of the late 1920s and early 1930s, sparked by the Wall Street Crash (1929), caused many pen companies to fold; most surviving firms were larger concerns, which succeeded by introducing new production techniques and styles. In line with the trend at this time for aerodynamically designed products, fountain pens with smooth lines in the "streamlined" style were a major innovation. Many such pens appear strikingly modern - the style proved so popular that it is still widely used today.

Smooth lines

Sheaffer's elegant cigar-shaped pens in attractive plastic colours were vastly different from the old flat-topped pens. They were filled by means of a new plunger system, similar to systems used by Onoto and Eversharp Wahl, although lever fillers were also designed. They were produced in an attractive range of colours, in both striated and simulated pearl plastics, and with military or ordinary clips. Oversized pens are most prized, but the slimmer models are excellent writing instruments. The "Balance" model was reintroduced by Sheaffer in 1998.

"Patrician" sets

Pens from the "Patrician" range, produced between 1929 and 1938 by Waterman, are extremely sought after by collectors. The rarest colour is "black", but the most valued are "turquoise", "moss agate", and "emerald"; versions in "nacre" and "onyx" are less popular. Two designs of matching pencil were produced in the range. In general, sets are not very popular, as many collectors are only interested in purchasing the pen alone.

Branching out

Ford were papermakers and specialists in blotting paper, and in 1932 used their name for an exquisite piston pen. Designed and patented by G.Stewart Vivian (a former employee of the Valentine firm), this pen was probably made by Wyvern and involves a transparent reservoir inside the barrel. The pen was made in at least four sizes, in "black", in "mottled", and with silver overlay.

German manufacturers

Pelikan and Montblanc were Germany's flagship makers, producing such high-quality, reasonably priced pens. The Pelikan "100" was the classic pen of the 1930s; it was made in a range of colours, with the green version being the most common and those with lizardskin or pearlescent bodies the most prized. The Montblanc pen is a button filler.

Dorics

The twelve-sided "Doric" pen by Eversharp Wahl was introduced in 1932. The jet has a roller clip and an adjustable nib; the green marble version has a transparent barrel section. Both pens are lever fillers, but piston fillers were also made. The pen was produced in three lengths, and as extra-slim and oversized versions (highly prized). Some examples feature marbling or "spider's web" decoration.

FACT FILE - The recession

Market activity in early 1929 held no terrors of economic recession for the "big four" of Eversharp Wahl, Parker, Sheaffer, and Waterman in the USA.
New designs included the "Personal Point" by Eversharp Wahl, the first "Balance" pen by Sheaffer, the "Streamlined Duofold" by Parker, and the "Patrician" range by Waterman.

Pens of the 1930s

In the 1930s a number of innovations were introduced, notably in the USA, as major companies competed for the lion's share of the market. New filling systems, transparent barrels, and combination designs were all promoted as the effects of the depression receded. Canada became a main supplier of pens for the European market, Waterman made pens in a joint venture in France, but sadly many companies, such as both Carter and Chilton, faded from the scene in the USA as a result of very hard times.

Combination designs

Although writing instruments combining pens and pencils had been produced before, designs with propelling pencils and fountain pens at opposite ends of the same barrel were novelties. These items were not particularly popular in the 1930s - perhaps because they had such poor ink capacities - and were regarded as pencils first and pens second. Many inferior-quality examples were made, although such firms as Sheaffer, Conklin, and Mabie Todd made quality products. Combination pens by Waterman and Parker exist but are very rare.

New filling systems

In 1933 Parker promoted a new filling system with no sac, which it misleadingly claimed had no perishable parts. The system, known as "Vacumatic", involved a small pump, which expelled air from the barrel, so allowing ink to fill the pen; it was heavily advertised, and was successful partly because it coincided with the new range of pearlized plastic used for pen barrels. The increasingly varied range of sizes and patterns used also boosted sales. The "Golden Web" pen, which was also made in a slimmer "Junior" version, was only produced for three years. This example is engraved, which generally reduces the value.

Military clip pens

The American army demanded that any pens worn with uniform should be inconspicuous, so the major pen manufacturers responded with simple designs. These pens, where the clip is positioned at the very end of the cap came to be known as "top clip", "military clip", or sometimes "depression" pens due to their low prices. The 1932 "Moderne" and "Premier" by Parker are both good examples of simple affordable "military clip" pens; both were made in novel coloured plastics, often with a mosaic design.

Elaborate finishes

Pens with imitation animal-skin caps and barrels were made in small numbers, often because the manufacturing cost of such plastics was very high. Mabie Todd and Waterman produced some very fine lizardskin patterns, while Conway Stewart and Parker both made distinctive herringbone-pattern pens. "Snakeskin" designs are also very sought after by collectors.

"Lookalikes"
Most successful pens are imitated, often extremely convincingly. At first glance two pens by Plexor and Waterson appear to be Parker pens - a "Duofold" and a "Vacumatic" - but are in fact copies. The most imitated pen is the "Senior Duofold", and such copies are now becoming collectable.

FACT FILE - Parker "Vacumatics"

" "Vacumatics" can be identified by the shape, cap design, and trim.
" Sizes include "Débutante", "Lady", "Major", "Maxima", and "Oversize".
" Patterns include "pearl", "marble", "Golden Web", and "Shadow-wave".
" Three pump systems were used: "Lockaway" (used 1933-8), "Speedline" (1939-41), and a disposable plastic pump (1942-9).
" By 1947 more than 6 million Parker "51 Vacumatics" had been produced.

Pens of the 1940s & 1950s

World War II had a great influence on fountain-pen production. Many designs that had been in the pipeline were brought out sooner than planned, and the development of new materials was accelerated. Some factories were re-directed to war-effort production, thereby encouraging sub-contracting and closer liaison between pen companies. However, apart from the striking examples of the "51" by Parker and "Skyline" by Eversharp Wahl, many designs on the market were the same in the 1940s as they had been in the 1930s.

"Swan" pens

Mabie Todd was the leading penmaker between the two world wars, with its flagship brand "Swan". After World War II the firm continued to make quality pens with good flexible nibs, although many were of rather old-fashioned design. Some "Swan" pens used a unique leverless filling system, in which the pen was filled by twisting a knob; however, "Swan" lever filler and eyedroppers were also produced.

"Blackbird" pens

In addition to the pens discussed above. Mabie Todd produced less highly priced ranges, most of which had lever-filling systems and nickel trims. The popular "Blackbird" range, was made towards the end of Mabie Todd's fountain-pen-producing days. In 1951 Biro took a major shareholding in Mabie Todd, and the firm stopped making fountain pens in 1958.

British-made "Duofold" pens

The 1940s "Herringbone Duofold" is basically the same design as the 1929 American-made "Duofold". This example is especially desirable because it is made from unusual patterned plastic and was produced in a small quantity only. The "Victory" range, made form 1935, is almost identical to the smaller "Duofolds" except for the trim. "Herringbone", "lizardskin", and "pearl" are the rarest "Duofolds", but "marbled lilac", "bronze", and "olive" British made Parkers are excellent collector items.

Pens by Valentine

The Valentine firm began to make pens in 1929 after acquiring the firms of Whytworth and Gold Nibs Ltd, but its most notable designs were produced after it was bought by Parker in 1947. Its lever- and button- fill pens were similar in materials and design to 1930s streamlined pens by Parker and Conway Stewart. Valentine pens were well made and frequently fitted with large, flexible nibs.

"Skyline" pens

The "Skyline" pen, introduced in 1941, was so called because it was advertised as ideal for air travel. It is a simple lever-fill pen and features a distinctive tapered barrel and clip in the style of a Greek helmet. Many variants were produced between 1941 and 1949, and in 1997 the same design was put back into production.

FACT FILE - Nibs

The main types of nib are fine, medium broad, stub (italic), or oblique.
Most nibs in British and American classic pens were 14-carat gold; continental European classic pens usually have 18-carat gold nibs.
Iridium was first welded onto gold nibs for durability in 1834.
Two-colour nibs are usually made of platinum coated onto gold.
In general, older nibs are more flexible than modern nibs.
The nib normally accounts for one third of the material cost of a pen.

Modern pens

The fountain pen was still the most widely used writing instrument in schools until the early 1950s. The traditional gift on examination success or a birthday was a fountain pen, and this gift market was catered for by pen makers and stationers worldwide. Millions of Parker "51" pens, "Snorkels", Conway Stewarts, and Watermans were sold. The school and student pen market was especially significant, and Burnhams, Wyverns, and "Golden Platinum" pens were a regular feature on school desks.

"51" pens

The Parker "51" is probably the most successful pen ever made. Robust and stylish with and excellent writing mechanism, is sold almost 42 million example between 1939 and 1972. Earlier models used the "Vacumatic" filling system, and over 6 million examples were sold before the "Aerometric" system was introduced in 1947-8. The most collectable colours are "mustard", "Nassau green", "plum", "forest green", and "tan". Also especially desirable are examples of the "Empire State" cap design.

Small pens

Although originally produced in the 1930s, Conway Stewart "Dinkies" were far more successful when reissued in the 1950s and marketed pencils, lead pencils, pocket knives, and even nail files, in attractive leather cases or wallets. Other companies such as Croxley and Unique also made miniature pens, and as their designs were less successful when first produced, they are now rare and desirable.

Pens by Wyvern

The Leicester-based firm of Wyvern was one of the oldest pen companies in Britain. After World War II the firm produced not only economical pens but also some unique models, including the leather-covered button filler. Wyvern pens were particularly popular with the British royal family - they were regularly presented to Palace staff, and George VI himself used a crocodile-skin model.

"Duofold" range

This range, first produced in the 1950s by Parker, was both affordable and highly practical. It was produced in solid colours -"green", "dark red", "blue", and "black" - and a variety of sizes, from the "Slimfold" to the "Duofold Maxima". "Duofold" pens are probably the most common ones to be found at car boot sales and antiques fairs, and they are among the best fold-nibbed classic pens available.

Student pens

A typical student pen should be inexpensive, easily reparable, and robust enough to suffer the rigors of the classroom. Many such pens were sold by Mentmore, Unique, Burnham, Wyvern, Stephens, and Platinum. Two examples are a relatively rare pen by Stephens with a 14-carat gold nib, and a finely coloured Burnham "No. 44" with a gold nib (later ones had steel nibs).

FACT FILE - The Parker "51"

This pen was the winner of the US Fashion Academy Award in 1950.
More than 30 different types of cap are known.
Some of the very early models sold in the USA were button fillers (as opposed to "Vacumatic" or "Aerometric" fillers).
An 18-carat gold "51" in top condition is worth over $1,650.
Rolled-silver examples are rarer than gold ones.

Other modern pens

The invention of the reliable, inexpensive ballpoint pen totally changed the writing-equipment market. Companies who attempted to make fountain pens to compete in price with ballpoints in general did so only by a reduction in quality; in contrast, companies who focused on quality and promoted premium products on an international scale were vastly successful. From 1950, take-overs, mergers, the growth of new markets such as promotional pens, roller balls, and cartridges were all influential, although many excellent and collectable fountain pens were still produced.

"Pens For Men"

In 1952 Sheaffer developed a unique filling system called the "snorkel", which was employed in the "Pen For Men" ("PFM") design in 1959. The "PFM" was produced in five different models over a period of fifteen years, and is currently one of the most collectable post-war pens by Sheaffer. It is an excellent writing pen and still widely used today, although it is becoming increasing difficult to acquire parts for repairs, particularly nib units. The rarest colours are "gray", "blue", and "green".

"61" pens

The Parker "51" was a hard act to follow, and when first introduced the "61" (perhaps owing to its innovative capillary filling system) was not a great success. Parker changed the design to a cartridge-and-converter system, but the pen, while an excellent writing instrument, still had defects - the plastic had a tendency to distort, and the shell arrow was easily dislodged. However, the "61", which was made in a fine range of colours, barrels, and caps, is highly collectable today. Notable examples included the "Cloud" range ("Stratus", "Cumulus", and "Cirrus"), "Consort", "insignia", pens with unique "Rainbow" caps, and 9- and 18-carat gold models.

The best of British design

The high-quality pens by Conway Stewart, particularly numbers "24", "27", "58", and "60", exemplify the best of British design. Although they were produced in large quantities, examples in unique colours, such as the "Cracked ice" pen shown (number "60"), or herringbone-pattern models are increasingly difficult to find in good condition. Matching pencils are often rarer than the pens.

Ballpoint pens

Ballpoints made in the 1940s make interesting collectables, but few are still in good working order. In contrast, many examples from the 1950s can still be used. Early Parker "T-ball jotters" are now collector items, as are most Parker "51", "61", and "75" ballpoint. As most fountain-pen makers had serious reservations about producing ballpoints, it is much more difficult to find them as part of 1950s sets than to find fountain pens or pencils.

Classic designs

Two piston pens of classic designs were intended for the executive. The "146 Meisterstück" was introduced in 1948 and is still produced today. The "Magna" was a prized possession in its day, with a "No.7" two-colour nib. It was also available as a lever filler and in candystripe colours, and was last produced in 1958.

FACT FILE - Ballpoint pens

The first ballpoint pen was patented in the USA in 1888.
The Hungarian Lazlo Biro produced the first reliable working ballpoint pen in 1940.
By 1953 the ballpoint was no longer simply considered the poor relation of the fountain pen, and some fine examples were produced.
Parker began making ballpoints in 1954.
Papermate (part of Gillette) produces more than one billion ballpoints each year.

Unusual designs

Collectors are always looking for that rare or unique prototype, which can be a fascinating talking point when displaying a collection, and can quite often develop into a main area of collecting. Rare items are often those that were commercially unsuccessful when first produced, or special-purpose pens such as demonstrator models. Prototypes are often difficult to confirm as genuine, and it is probably more important to buy from a reputable source than to rely on "provenance".

Stylographic pens

With narrow tubes as writing tips and wire inserts that control the flow of ink down the tube, stylographic pens have been produced since the mid-19thC. Reliable early examples were made in the 1870s by the firms of Caws, A.T.Cross, and McKinnon in the USA. In the early 20thC notable British makers included Onoto and Conway Stewart. In the 1930s the most popular American example was by Inkograph.

Glass-nibbed fountain pens

The earliest glass nibs used in reservoir pens were made by Haro (Hans Roggenbuch). These early pens were very practical and robust and particularly well suited to producing carbon copies. During both world wars glass was widely used for nibs, as metals were in short supply. Many glass-nibbed pens were manufactured in Germany and Japan, although production was not exclusive to those countries - the British firm of Burnham produced a popular model in the 1930s and 1940s.

Safety pens

Pens with retractable nibs are termed "safety" pens. The earliest designs, made by such firms as Moore and Conklin, featured nibs that simply slid back into the barrel, but later models, notably by Montblanc, Waterman, and Whytworth, used complex spiral systems. Elaborate Italian and French examples with overlay decoration are the most prized.

Demonstrators

Salesmen used transparent pens to show customers not only the internal components of their wares but also how the filling systems worked. These intriguing items are now very collectable, especially examples of "Pens For Men" by Sheaffer, "Vacumatics" by Parker, and such elaborate examples as the rare Montblanc.

Elaborate Mechanisms

A rare pen was made for Dunhill in the 1930s, possibly by Omas, and consists of two separate pens fitted into a conventional-size barrel. The two pens are linked by a mechanism, so that each nib extends alternately when the end of the barrel is twisted. Such unusual items command premium prices.

FACT FILES - Innovative designs

Waterman and Moore both made "Trench" pens with ink pellets in the cap.
Unusual novelty pens include "Mickey Mouse" by Inkograph and "Popeye" by the Eagle Pencil Co.
Collectors should look out for innovative trapdoor pens with covered nibs by Pullman.

Limited-edition pens

The production of a limited number of special-design pens with fancy packaging and documentation is a relatively new development in pen manufacture. Parker paved the way in the 1960s, and was followed in the 1990s by most major pen companies, including Sheaffer, Montblanc, Visconti, Aurora, Pelikan, and Omas. Most companies adopt themes such as sports, cities, historical events, or writers, or produce pens to commemorate calendar events - anniversaries or centennials; it is also popular to reissue short runs of classic pens from the past. In the early 1990s, limited-edition pens often sold out before production was completed, but as the number of pen makers introducing limited editions has grown, many collectors have become more discerning. However, limited editions are still regarded as one of the best investments in fountain-pen collecting.

Sheaffer

Limited editions were not introduced by Sheaffer until 1995. The 18-carat gold commemorative was a faithful copy of the firm's successful 1920s flat-topped lever fill, and the "Lifetime Balance" (1997) was a copy of Sheaffer's 1929 "Balance" pen. Only 6,000 examples of each design were produced, plus an additional 100 transparent "Balances", which are even more exclusive.

Pelikan

All of Pelikan's limited editions are in the same style, although always in different materials and designs. Only 5,000 copies of "Blue Ocean" were made, of which 1,000 were sold as sets with a ballpoint pen, and a mere 888 copies of "Golden Dynasty" were produced. Other special editions by Pelikan include "Golf", "M900 Toledo", "Austria 1000", and "Concerto".

"Author" pens by Montblanc

The "Agatha Christie" pen is one of a range of author-theme pens by Montblanc. Examples with silver trims are fairly common, and many are actually used to write with (unusual for a collector's edition); those with gold trims are rarer. Other pens in the series include "Hemingway" (1992), "Oscar Wilde" (1994), "Voltaire" (1995), "Alexandre Dumas" (1996), and "Dostoyevsky" (1997). The packaging and documentation are lavish and play an important part in the appeal.

"People & history" pens by Montblanc

This series, promoted by Montblanc as a vehicle for celebrating beauty, inspiring creativity, and advancing culture, is one of its most imaginative and celebrated ranges. In addition to "Semiramis" (inspired by the Assyrian Queen) and the blue filigree "Prince Regent", the range included such designs as "Lorenzo de Medici" and "Louis XIV".

Parker

The first limited editions by Parker were based on existing models such as the "75" or "105", but they were made in materials with romantic connections - silver recovered from shipwrecks, and brass from notable liners. The "Charles and Diana" was made to commemorate the royal wedding (1981).

FACT FILE - Collectable designs

" Parker introduced its first limited edition, the "Spanish Treasure 75", in 1965.
" Waterman's first limited edition (1989) honored the bicentenary of the 1789 French Revolution.
" Montblanc introduced its first limited edition in 1992; its special runs are restricted to 4,810 copies.
" The most exclusive limited editions included Parker's gold "Snake" pen (250 made), Visconti's "Taj Mahal" in ivory and gold (88 made), Aurora's gold "Benvenuto Cellini" (199 made), and Montegrappe's "Gold Dragon" (100 made).

Pencils: basics

Charcoal was used in cave paintings, metallic lead styluses were used two thousand years ago to mark paper and papyrus, and graphite-based drawing-sticks have been known since Elizabethan times. Graphite is soft and needs a support tube for protection or a cover to prevent the hands from becoming soiled. The invention of hard "lead" paved the way for wood-encased pencils and retractable propelling pencils. Until recently, pencils have not been highly valued, but a wider appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in producing pencils, and of the intricate workings of mechanical examples, had elevated values and sparked collector interest.

Mechanical pencils

On most 19thC examples of typical mechanical pencils, the outer case is a thin silver or gold tube. In the 20thC it became more standard for the case to be based on a plastic barrel with a simple inexpensive mechanism fitted.

Porte crayons and cedar holders

The porte crayons was a metal tube designed to hold a "lead" (a thick graphite rod), often with a sliding mechanism to extend the former. Cedar holders, with brass-threaded inserts, were made to hold whole wooden pencils (often known as "cedars"). Most are between 5cm and 7.5cms (2-3in) in length. Value is determined by design, size, and maker.

Screw and slide mechanisms

Screw mechanisms were used by watch and instrument makers in the 17thC, and were probably also applied to writing items at that time. However, the first recorded use of such a screw mechanism in pencils was detailed in the Hawkins and Mordan patent of 1822. The earliest example known is marked 1823, and such early pencils are rare and valuable. Early pencils can be dated fairly accurately by their decoration, the design of their finials, and their stub-shaped nozzles. Later pencils have more ornate engraving, which is a major factor in determining the value.

Open-ended combinations

Designs combining a pen and pencil at opposing ends of tubes were diverse. Examples range from inexpensive tinplate or nickel "penny pushers" (sold originally for only a penny), which combined dip pens and wooden pencils, to luxury versions combining pens and mechanical pencils in silver and gold.

One-ended combinations

Combination designs with the pen and pencil at the same end were popular even into the 20thC. Some examples made by Mordan could be used with metal nibs and quill slips; similar combinations, especially those by Fairchild, were very popular in the USA. On some models, pulling or twisting the barrel exposed delicate slider pins to push out the pen or pencil; other designs featured intricate twisting mechanisms, which exposed the pen when turned clockwise and the pencil when twisted anti-clockwise.

FACT FILE - Leads

"As the graphite sticks used in early propelling pencils wore away very quickly, makers began to experiment to produce a harder "lead". A process of mixing graphite, silicate, and a binder, then extruding the mix into fine rods and firing them in a kiln, was developed c.1790 by both the firm of Conté in France and that of Hardmuth in Germany.
Different ratios of filler and binder determine the hardness of the "leads".

Mechanical pencils

Mechanical pencils were manufactured both by small concerns such as silversmiths, who bought in mechanisms and made and fitted "pencil cases", and by large manufacturers such as Mordan, Butler, Fairchild, and Hicks, whose main business was the production of mechanical pencils. The design of pencils is therefore diverse, particularly as leads and nozzle sizes were not standardized.

Miniature pencils

Small decorative pencils were manufactured mainly in Britain and USA, and are fairly readily available today. They include slim sliders, telescopic designs, and examples decorated with semi-precious jewels and enameling. The mechanisms in pencils are generally very delicate and often do not work, in which case they will be of very little value other than as spare parts.

Niche collecting areas

Some enthusiasts concentrate on collecting novelty pencils, of which there is a vast range. Designs include examples in the shape of owls, dogs, birds, pistols, rifles, spinning tops, golf clubs, screws, and nails. One popular area of collecting is Egyptian-design pencils, including obelisk- and sphinx-themed ones as well as the mummy-shaped design. Most are enameled, but watch out for crudely cast models. Combination items of pencils with knives, rulers, and tooth-picks are another niche collecting area. A combined knife and pencil was produced in the USA by Edward Todd in conjunction with J.Wolstenholme of Sheffield.

Tricolour pencils

Models with three separate pencils (red, blue and black) in one case are known as "tricolour" pencils. Most are made of silver - gold ones are rare. Some collectors specialize in the variety of mechanism used to extend the tricolour pencils. Some are sliders; other examples have button-release mechanisms, telescopic extensions, three-sided sliders, or three-segment twists. Good condition is important, so look carefully at the enamel, and check that the mechanism is in working order. Double and quadruple pencils were also made.

Desk and writing-case sets

Many mechanical pencils were produced as part of desk or writing-case sets with matching pens, seals, and knives. Examples found separately, such as the tortoiseshell-and-gold pencil and a bulbous American model, are still very collectable.

Major makers

Although the number of major makers producing mechanical pencils was small, the number of designs created was vast. Mordan's 1895 catalog features 195 different pencils; Baker's 1905 catalog includes 210 designs. The most popular examples were the plainer ones. The "Torpedo" design is a twist-action pencil made in gold and silver; one design is in engine-turned silver, but was also sold as a silver-plated pencil, and the "Popular" pencil has an unusual screw mechanism.

FACT FILE -Makers' marks

The majority of British pencils were made in London or Birmingham; most feature the mark of the maker or retailer.
Major names include: Wilmore, Vale, Riddle, Baker, Moseley, Yard-O-Led, Asprey, Sucklings, Manton, Villiers & Jackson, Lund, and Walker & Hall.

Rare pencils

A vast array of pencils was produced in Europe and the USA, including some highly decorative, de-luxe designs (usually special commissions) that were more akin to beautiful pieces of jewelry than functional writing items. Particularly exclusive designs, including some novelty creations, were produced by leading jewelers in New York's Fifth Avenue, London's Regent Street, and Paris's Avenue Foch. Most were never featured in catalogs but were unique, one-off creations, made for special customers; this type of pencil is rare and correspondingly valuable today.

Famous names

Neither Roland Cartier nor Tiffany & Co. produced pencils as part of its standard range, so the examples by these firms (a 14-carat gold pencil by Cartier, and a silver Art Deco pencil by Tiffany) were made as special commissions. A third pencil, with a twist extension in a silver repoussé case, was made by Hicks, and as a less exclusive design is not as valuable as the other two pens, although still very desirable.

De-luxe combination designs

The "Traveler" is a combination of a pen and a pencil with the addition of a mini thermometer on the barrel and a compass on the top finial. The ivory casing features some small cracks, but these will scarcely affect the value as the pencil is so rare. One variant of this design is known with a metal case.

"Dropper" pencils

The "dropper" was first introduced in 1911. The pressing of a button on the top of the case causes the pencil to drop down, ready for use. Many examples made by Mordan had seven-sided outer cases, which could adapt into perpetual calenders. The unusual 15-carat fold round pencil was probably made by Mordan for Vickery's Regent Street store. Perpetual calenders add value to most pencils.

Telescopic design

This simply designed pencil was made by Hicks of New York. It contains a silver ruler and measuring dividers, and was probably either sold at an exclusive New York shop or specifically commissioned, as such large silver pencils were not typical of Hick's designs. The value is due largely to the novelty combination.

Telescopic design

Rarity is something that most collectors seek ardently, and this telescopic pencil with an outer case decorated with a selection of international flags is particularly unusual and desirable - hence its high value. If the enamel shows some damage, this affects the value although not dramatically.

Modern pencils

Modern propelling pencils, manufactured to match pens in sets, as well as for use as promotional items, have become increasingly popular since the introduction of inexpensive plastics and mechanisms in the 1940s. Separate pencils were often promoted as corporate gifts before the advent of the ballpoint pen, and silver or gold quality pencils were often given as traditional retirement or leaving presents.

Yard-O-Led

Early pencils by Yard-O-Led are very collectable, useable and offer excellent value for money. Round-, square-, and (rare) triangular-barreled models are some examples, but the firm produced a very wide range of designs. Other versions include a rare "heavy" pencil, and a small half-length design known as the "Yard-O-Lette". The hexagonal "Diplomat", a popular post-war model, is almost exactly the same today as when first produced in 1947.

Eversharp Wahl

In 1917 Wahl, a shrewd machine manufacturer, purchased the Japanese patent for the mechanical pencil and continued to produce the same design for the next 40 years. These pencils were very simple propel-only designs, and their value will depend on the rarity, decoration, and material of the outer cases. Variations, including the lady's gold-dilled ringtop, the large, red-and-black hard-rubber version, and the standard, clipped, gold-filled pencil. Some of the most desirable models, such as the "Greek Key" design were made with matching pens.

Different types of lead

One of the most complex aspects of collecting pencils is the bewildering variety of lead diameters and nozzle system used. The diameter of pencils by Mordan is usually indicated by codes on the nozzles, but although these can be matched with original leads they do not correspond to modern leads. Modern leads are usually 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 0.9mm, but most older pencils used 0.8mm, 1mm, and 1.5mm leads, so pencil collectors avidly search for and collect old leads. Leads by Hardmuth and Faber are quite common, and pencils by Yard-O-Led take 1.18mm leads, which are still available.

Plastic pencils

Most major fountain-pen manufacturers also produced matching pencils for sale in sets. Surprisingly, the pencil usually adds little to the value of the set, except in the case of very rare examples; prices of separate pencils can hence be very affordable. Most examples feature simple peg-and-spiral mechanisms, which allow for both propelling and repelling actions.

Advertising pencils

Although pens were made for promotions, pencils were more popular in the 1930s and 1940s as free gifts. The variety of such pencils is vast, since they were used to promote items as varied as food products, businesses, and special events.

FACT FILE - Sampson Mordan

In his very first patent, dated 1822, Mordan was described as a "portable pen maker".
The partnership (1823-37) between Mordan and the stationer Riddle laid down the foundations for the mechanical-pencil market.
From c.1860 until 1930 mechanical pencils were known in popular parlance as "mordans".
" The differences in makers' marks helps the dating of pencils without hallmarks.

Glossary

barrel main body of a pen where the ink or ink reservoir is stored

"Big Red" name for hard-rubber or "Permanite" orange-coloured "Duofold senior" pen made by Parker from 1924 to 1929

blind cap decorative screw-on cover at the end of the pen barrel to cover the filling button.

blow filler pen with a filling system in which air is blown through a hole to depress the rubber sac

brassing wearing away of gold plating to reveal the base metal (copper or brass) beneath

button small brass unit hidden by a blind cap and depressed to fill a fountain pen

"Calligraph" Popular model made by Mabie Todd with a special nib for calligraphy

capstan inkwell in the shape of a ship's capstan

carrier tube brass tube running through the center of a mechanical pencil into which the propelling unit is fixed

coin filler pen with filling system in which a coin is pushed into a slot to depress the pressure bar on the sac

comb notched pattern on feed to store ink during writing

"combo" combination of a dip or fountain pen and a pencil in one unit

converter unit inserted into a pen to convert it from cartridge to ink fill

crescent filler pen with a curved metal unit protruding from the barrel, which depresses the sac for filling; invented and used mainly by Conklin

ding indentation in the metal cap or body

eraser term for a two-sided blade used for scraping parchment (i.e. to improve its ability to absorb ink)

eyedropper glass tube and rubber bulb used to fill pens; also refers to the pen itself

feed slotted unit in hard rubber or plastic, which fits into the section and supports the nib

ferrel metal tube at the end of a dip pen into which the steel nib fits

filigree decorative metalwork with cut-out designs

hatched engraved or indented with criss-cross patterns

hooded pen with only the tip of the nib showing

imprint engraving or stamp of the maker's name or logo

inner cap unit inside the cap to keep the pen sealed when not in use

insert simple glass or pot inwell, which fits into an ornate holder

iridium hard metal used to make nib tips

lever mechanism for depressing a pressure bar onto the sac to fill a pen

lignum vitae very heavy hardwood from South America

morocco very thin leather used to cover items, including boxes and pen cases
leather

manifold nib stiff, robust nib used for making copies and writing manifests

matchstick filling system with a small hole in the barrel into which a matchstick
filler was pushed to depress the rubber sac

nozzle writing end of a mechanical pencil supporting the "lead"

nib ejector sliding system to push out the nib on a dip pen

peg part of the section onto which the rubber sac is attached

pen writing instrument; synonymous in the 19thC with the nib

"Permanite" Parker's tradename for cellulose nitrate plastic

penner portable unit for carrying pens and ink

pierce hold hole in the nib that controls ink flow by allowing air back into the reservoir

piqué metal decoration, usually silver and gold inlaid into tortoishell

plunger small piston with a cork or leather seal or washer to aid ink fill

pressure bar metal bar inside the barrel, which compresses the rubber sac to expel air and allow the sac to fill with ink

propelling pin rod, which pushes "lead" out through the nozzle of the pencil

overlay metal laid over the barrel for decorative purposes

"Radite" Sheaffer's tradename for cellulose nitrate plastic

ring top pen with a ring attached to the cap for a chain or ribbon

repoussé relief decoration on metal produced by raising or beating from the back

repelling pencil pencil with "lead" that retracts mechanically

Rococo 18thC style typified by curves, scallops, shell shape, and pastel colours

section unit, which holds the feed and nib, attached to the pen barrel

shell plastic cover for the nib, feed, and collector unit on a hooded pen

stanhope micro image fitted into a viewing hold behind a tiny lens

sac protector metal tube inside the barrel protecting the sac

snail design pattern in repoussé with swirls resembling a snail's shell

snorkel tube that extrudes through the section to draw up ink

stirrup stirrup-shaped loop or ring for mechanical pencils

telescopic extension mechanism, which pulls out like a telescope

"Vacumatic" Parker's process of evacuating air from the barrel of a pen to allow it to fill with ink

"wafer" thin slip of compressed adhesive used for sealing letters and other documents

waxjack 17thC unit featuring a roll of impregnated wick, used for melting sealing wax

What to read

BOOKS

Badders, V. Collector's Guide to Inkwells, vols 1 & 2 (Penducah, 1995/8)

Courtier, S., Marshall J.M., and Marshall, J.K. A Beginner's Guide to Collecting Pencils (Penrith, 1998)

Crosby, D. Victorian Pencils: Tools to Jewels (West Chester, 1998)

Dubiel, F. Fountain Pens: The Complete Guide to Repair and Restoration (Falls River, 1994)

Erano, P. Collecting and Valuing Fountain Pens (Salt Lake City, 1995)

Finlay, M. Western Writing Implements in the Age of the Quill (Wetherby, 1990)

Fischler, G. and Schneider, S. The illustrated Guide to Antique Writing instruments (West Chester, 1997)

Lambrou, A. Fountain Pens of the World (London, 1995)

Petroski, H. The Pencil: A History (New York, 1990)

Rivera, B. and T. Inkstands & Inkwells (New York, 1973)

Roe, G. Writing Instruments: A Technical History and How They Work (Manchester, 1996)

Steinberg, J. Fountain Pens (London, 1994)

MAGAZINES

Journal of The Writing Equipment Society
Contact Dr Maureen Greenland
The Writing Equipment Society
Cartledge Cottage
Cartledge Lane
Holmesfield
Derbyshire S18 5SB

The Pen & Pencil Gallery Magazine
Church House
Skelton
Penrith
Cumbria CA11 9TE

Pen World
International World Publications
3946 Glade Valley
Kingswood
Texas 77339
USA

Pennant
Contact Boris Rice
Pen collectors of America
P.O.Box 821449
Houston
Texas TX77282-1449
USA

TILE COLLECTING

A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, porcelain, metal or even glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, and walls, or other objects such as tabletops. Another category are the ceiling tiles, made from lightweight materials such as perlite and mineral wool. The word is derived from the French word tuile, which is, in turn, from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of baked clay. Less precisely, the modern term can refer to any sort of construction tile or similar object, such as rectangular counters used in playing games (see tile-based game).

Tiles are often used to form wall and floor coverings, and can range from simple square tiles to complex mosaics. Tiles are most often made from ceramic, with a hard glaze finish, but other materials are also commonly used, such as glass, slate, and reformed ceramic slurry, which is cast in a mould and fired.

In the past twenty years, the technology surrounding porcelain tile and glass tiles have increased, moving both from a niche marketplace to a place of prominence in the tile community.

Floor tiles

The elaborate floor pattern of the Sydney Queen Victoria BuildingThese are commonly made of ceramic or stone, although recent technological advances have resulted in glass tiles for floors as well. Ceramic tiles may be painted and glazed. Small mosaic tiles may be laid in various patterns. Floor tiles are typically set into mortar consisting of sand, cement and often a latex additive for extra strength. The spaces between the tiles are nowadays filled with sanded or unsanded floor grout, but traditionally mortar was used.

Natural stone tiles can be especially beautiful. However, as a natural product they are often less uniform and require more planning for use and installation. Stone tiles described as "gauged" have very uniform width and length dimensions; "ungauged" stone tiles may vary from their nominal dimensions. Stone tiles such as granite can be sawn on both sides (and then polished on the facing up side) so that they have a uniform thickness. Other natural stone tiles such as slate are typically "riven" (split) on the facing up side so that the thickness of the tile varies from one spot on the tile to another and from one tile to another. Variations in tile thickness can be handled by adjusting the amount of mortar under each part of the tile, by using wide grout lines that "ramp" between different thicknesses, or by using a cold chisel to knock off high spots.

Some stone tiles such as polished granite and marble are inherently very slippery when wet. Stone tiles with a riven (split) surface such as slate or with a sawn and then sand-blasted surface--granite is occasionally prepared this way--will be more slip resistant. Ceramic tile for use in wet areas can be made more slip resistant either by using very small tiles so that the grout lines acts as grooves or by imprinting a contour pattern onto the face of the tile.

The hardness of natural stone tiles varies such that some of the softer stone tiles are not suitable for very heavy traffic floor areas. On the other hand, ceramic tiles typically have a glazed upper surface and when that become scratched or pitted the floor looks worn, whereas the same amount of wear on natural stone tiles won't show or will be less noticeable.

Natural stone tiles can be stained by spilled liquids; they must be sealed and periodically resealed with a sealant in contrast to ceramic tiles which only need their grout lines sealed. However, because of the complex, non repeating patterns in natural stone, small amounts of dirt on many natural stone floor tiles do not show.

Most vendors of stone tiles emphasize that there will be variation in color and pattern from one batch of tiles to another of the same description and variation within the same batch.

Stone floor tiles tend to be heavier than ceramic tiles and somewhat more prone to breakage during shipment.

Ceiling tiles

Vinyl Ceiling TileCeiling tiles are lightweight tiles used in the interior of buildings. They are placed on a steel grid and, depending on the tile selected, may provide thermal insulation, sound absorption, enhanced fire protection, and improved indoor air quality. Also frequently called ceiling panels, or drop-ceiling tiles, they offer the advantage of easy access to wiring and plumbing above the ceiling grid, and can be easily changed, removed, or replaced as needed. They are fabricated from perlite, mineral wool, plastic, tin, aluminum, and fibers from recycled paper. They frequently have patterns comprised of holes, to improve their sound absorption properties, though many have a molded surface providing a textured, sculpted, or pressed-tin look to the ceiling. Some tiles are available with decorative photo/transfer surfaces, some are approved for installation under fire suppression sprinkler heads so the sprinklers do not show, some are approved for use in food preparation areas, and some are certified for indoor air quality by the GreenGuard Institute. Tiles are available that resist mold and moisture damage, that have enhanced acoustical properties, and that can be easily trimmed with household scissors. Recycling old tiles depends upon the material used to make them, and some landfills no longer accept traditional mineral fiber tiles, so they must be recycled to the manufacturer. Some plastic tiles can be 100% curbside recycled.

Decorative tilework

Typical tilework on buildings in Santarém, Portugal.Decorative tilework typically takes the form of mosaic upon the walls, floor, or ceiling of a building. Although decorative tilework was known and extensively practiced in the ancient world (as evidenced in the magnificent mosaics of Pompeii and Herculaneum), it perhaps reached its greatest expression during the Islamic period.

Some places, notably Portugal and São Luís, have a tradition of tilework (called azulejos) on buildings that continues today.

In the United States, decorative tiles were in vogue, especially in southern California, in the 1920s and 1930s. Prominent among art tile makers during this period was Ernest A. Batchelder.

Islamic tilework

Perhaps because of the tenets of Moslem law (sharia) which disavow religious icons and images in favor of more abstract and universal representations of the divine, many consider decorative tilework to have reached a pinnacle of expression and detail during the Islamic period. Palaces, public buildings, and mosques were heavily decorated with dense, often massive mosaics and friezes of astonishing complexity. As both the influence and the extent of Islam spread during the Middle Ages this artistic tradition was carried along, finding expression from the gardens and courtyards of Málaga in Moorish Spain to the mosaics of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

Azulejo- Small Arabic tiles that are glazed and are used as dadoes in palaces and courtyards

The mathematics of tiling

Certain shapes of tiles, most obviously rectangles, can be replicated to cover a surface with no gaps. These shapes are said to tessellate (from the Latin tessera, 'tile'). For detailed information on tilings see the tessellation page.

The Tiles & Architectural Ceramics Society (TACS)

Tiles are all around us for everyone to enjoy. Ceramic tiles cover walls and floors, roofs and pavements, furniture and stoves, and can be seen in churches and mosques, pubs and shops, hospitals and homes. They are often combined with other forms of ceramics such as terracotta, faience and mosaic. The Tiles & Architectural Ceramics Society is for anyone interested in tiles and decorative ceramics related to buildings.

Tiles have a history stretching back more than one thousand years. In the 13th and 14th centuries Europe’s churches were paved with decorated tiles. At the same time buildings in the Arab world were adorned with richly coloured tiles. Holland was an important centre for tiles in the 17th and 18th centuries and in the 19th century Britain pioneered mass-produced tiles. The 20th century has seen both a decline and a revival in tile-making. Tiles are now much collected and studied.

Since 1981 the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society has served as Britain’s national society responsible for the study and protection of tiles and architectural ceramics, uniting people with common interests. An international membership of individuals and institutions is drawn from the fields of museums, conservation, manufacturing (both industrial and craft) architecture, design, and antiques.

TACS members receive a variety of beautifully illustrated and well-researched publications - for details, see the Publications page. Members are also able to take advantage of the Events programme, with visits to places of ceramic interest, many of which are not normally open to the public.

For more details on membership, please contact the TACS Membership Secretary, 27 Spurn Lane, Holden Smithy, Diggle, Oldham, OL3 5QP, United Kingdom

William Frend De Morgan

Recollections of Willian De Morgan praise him both for his personal warmth and the indomitable energy with which he pursued his kaleidescopic career as designer, potter, inventor and novelist. Born in 1839 in Chester, the son of a mathematician and his highly educated wife, De Morgan was always supported in his desire to become an artist. At the age of twenty he entered the Royal Academy schools, but he was swiftly disillusioned with the establishment; then he met Morris, and through him the Pre-Raphaelite circle. Soon De Morgan began experimenting with stained glass, ventured into pottery in 1863, and by 1872 had shifted his interest wholly to ceramics.

In 1872 De Morgan set up a pottery works in Chelsea where he stayed through 1881 -- his most fruitful decade as an art potter. The arts and crafts ideology he was exposed to through Morris' close friendship, and his own insistent curiousity, led De Morgan to begin to explore every technical aspect of his craft. He soon rejected the use of blank commercial tiles, preferring to make his own biscuit, which he admired for its irregularities and better resistance to moisture. That streak of inventiveness that led him to spend hours designing a new duplex bicycle gear also mired him in complex studies of the chemistry of glazes, methods of firing, and pattern transfer.

De Morgan was particularly drawn to Eastern tiles. Around 1873/74 he made a striking breakthrough by rediscovering the technique of lustre ware (characterized by a reflective, metallic surface) found in Hispano-Moresque pottery and Italian majolica. Nor was his interest in the East limited to glazing techniques, but it permeated his notions of design and color, as well. As early as 1875, he began to work in earnest with a "Persian" palette: dark blue, turquoise, manganese purple, green, Indian red, and lemon yellow, Study of the motifs of what he refer to as "Persian" ware (and we know today as fifteenth-and-sixteenth century Isnik ware), profoundly influenced his unmistakeable style, in which fantastic creatures eatwined with rhythmic geometric motifs float under luminous glazes.

It is apparent that De Morgan was very familiar with Eastern design, color, and pottery techniques prior to the Arab Hall project, although his proximity to Leighton's collection undoubtedly refined this knowledge. Of all the artists commissioned to contribute to the hall, De Morgan was the most attuned to the project. For him it represented both a challenge, and an unusual opportunity to handle, study, and assimilate Eastern motifs and glazes at their source.

De Morgan succeeded beautifullyin part because he invented a technique of pattern transfer. Commercial tile manufacturers usually relied on some form of printed transfer sheets -- all exactly the same to guarantee uniformity. De Morgan, rejecting this stultifying repetition, experimented until he found a means of duplicating a pattern while maintaining the individuality of each tile. Unfortunately, no plan or drawing has survived to give some clue as to how he pieced together this complex jig-saw puzzle, for without such a record his expertise still baffles even skilled observers.

Terry Reece Hackford, M. A.

William Frend de Morgan (November 16, 1839 – 1917) was a British potter and tile designer. A life-long friend of William Morris, he designed tiles, stained glass and furniture for Morris & Co. from 1863 to 1872. His tiles are often based on medieval designs or Persian patterns, and he experimented with innovative glazes and firing techniques. Galleons and fish were popular motifs, as were "fantastical" birds and other animals. Many of de Morgan's tile designs were planned to create intricate patterns when several tiles were laid together.

Recollections of Willian De Morgan praise him both for his personal warmth and the indomitable energy with which he pursued his kaleidoscopic career as designer, potter, inventor and novelist.

Born in Chester, the son of a mathematician and his highly educated wife, de Morgan was always supported in his desire to become an artist. At the age of twenty he entered the Royal Academy schools, but he was swiftly disillusioned with the establishment; then he met Morris, and through him the Pre-Raphaelite circle. Soon de Morgan began experimenting with stained glass, ventured into pottery in 1863, and by 1872 had shifted his interest wholly to ceramics.

In 1872, de Morgan set up a pottery works in Chelsea where he stayed through 1881 — his most fruitful decade as an art potter. The arts and crafts ideology he was exposed to through his friendship with Morris and his own insistent curiosity, led de Morgan to begin to explore every technical aspect of his craft. He soon rejected the use of blank commercial tiles, preferring to make his own biscuit, which he admired for its irregularities and better resistance to moisture. His inventive streak led him to spend hours designing a new duplex bicycle gear and also lured him into complex studies of the chemistry of glazes, methods of firing, and pattern transfer.

De Morgan was particularly drawn to Eastern tiles. Around 1873–1874, he made a striking breakthrough by rediscovering the technique of lustre ware (characterized by a reflective, metallic surface) found in Hispano-Moresque pottery and Italian majolica. Nor was his interest in the East limited to glazing techniques, but it permeated his notions of design and colour, as well. As early as 1875, he began to work in earnest with a "Persian" palette: dark blue, turquoise, manganese purple, green, Indian red, and lemon yellow, Study of the motifs of what he referred to as "Persian" ware (and what we know today as fifteenth-and-sixteenth century Isnik ware), profoundly influenced his unmistakeable style, in which fantastic creatures entwined with rhythmic geometric motifs float under luminous glazes.

Collections of de Morgan's work exist in many museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the William Morris Gallery in London, a substantial and representative collection in Birmingham, and a small but well-chosen collection along with much other pottery at Norwich.

Victorian Tiler, Potter, and Novelist
Personal Information
Born: 16 Nov 1839, London
Died: 15 Jan 1917, London

Married: Evelyn Pickering, 1887
Children: None

Education
Student, Royal Academy Schools, London, 1859
Student, University College, London, 1856-9
Student, Cary's School, London, 1855
Student, University College School, London, 1849

William De Morgan Collections Open To the Public
William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow (London), England
Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, England
Leighton House, London, England

General Collections Containing Works By William De Morgan
Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-On-Trent, England
Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Telford, Shropshire, England
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England
British Museum, London, England
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK (open to the public in winter only)

Publications: Reference Works Covering William De Morgan
All citations are from the Booklist on the Tiles On The Web Bookshelf.
Austwick, J & B
The Decorated Tile
Collier Macmillan, 1980, ISBN 02-990100-6
cloth, 160 pages
info on back marks

Barnard, Julian
Victorian Ceramic Tiles
Studio Vista, 1972, ISBN 0-289-70251-8
cloth, 184 pages
info on back marks, some color photos, many b/w photos

Blanchett, Chris
William De Morgan Tiles At Knightscroft House, Rustington, West Susex
T&ACB, 1992
paper, 5 pages
xerographic monograph with color plates

Catleugh, Jon
William De Morgan Tiles
Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1983, ISBN 0-671-60842-8
cloth, 184 pages

Gaunt, William
William De Morgan: Pre-Raphaelite Ceramics
New York Graphics Society, 1971, ISBN 8212-0390-8
cloth, 176 pages
many color photos, info on back marks, bibliography

Greenwood, Martin
The Designs of William De Morgan
Dennis & Wiltshire, 1989, ISBN 0-903685-24-8
cloth, 256 pages
comprehensive collection of the De Morgan design archive at the V&A

Lockett, Terence
Collecting Victorian Tiles
Antique Collectors Club, 1979, ISBN 0-902028-82-0
cloth, 239 pages
broad coverage, with updated price guide

Van Lemmen, Hans
Fired Earth: 1000 Years of Tiles in Europe
Richard Dennis/T&ACS, 1991, ISBN 0-903685-28-0
paper, 180 pages
many excellent color photos

Van Lemmen, Hans
Tiles: 1000 years of Architectural Decoration
Abrams, 1993, ISBN 0-8109-3867-7
cloth, 240 pages
text & color photos of tiles from around the world, a beautiful book

Publications: Writings of William De Morgan
After De Morgan's health failed, he spent increasing lengths of time in Italy. During this time, his pottery business went into a decline from which it never recoverd. De Morgan then went on to a very successful career as a novelist. He wrote several best selling novels including Joseph Vance and Alice-For-Short.

Sources For William De Morgan Tiles
Haslam and Whiteway Ltd, London, England
An extensive and ever changing selection of De Morgan tiles. Other Victorain tiles also available.
The Arts & Crafts Home
Antiques of the 20th Century, with a good selection of art pottery and some tiles.

Earth Song Studio
Earth Song Studio is a small family business, making hand cast ceramic art tiles from original carvings. We have a wide selection of relief carved accent and border tiles, hand cut plain tiles, decorative tile sets and custom carved art tiles and wall hangings. Most of our tiles can hang on their own as artwork or be installed with a matching plain tile.

Suzanne Sollenne
Handcrafted Tilework
Our studio emphasizes custom designs per our client's specification. Our tilework includes handpainted designs on pre-glazed commercial tiles, a line of hand-made terra cotta and white bodied tiles with accompanying trim pieces, and "cuerde seca" designs with patterns including Spanish and Moorish styles, geometrics and florals.

Lisa Burt
Mad Teapotter Studio
Since 1983, The Mad Teapotter Studio in Larkspur, Colorado, has been providing fine, handmade & hand-painted ceramic tile to architects and interior designers. Services include everything from the design stage to the finished product.

Alora Hofferber
Handpainted Tile Murals
Specializing in wildlife, all of my ceramic tile murals are hand painted original works of art.

Sarah Allen
Custom Tile Art Works
Specialist in custom tile murals featuring botanical subjects and wildlife.

George Fishman
Fine Art Mosaics
George Fishman creates pictorial mosaics for churches, cruise ships and homes. Themes for custom work are developed through conversation and collaborative designing with his clients. He uses traditional glass smalti and stone as well as unglazed porcelains to ensure that the beauty of the completed work can endure for centuries. Site also contains a basic how-to section.

Dy Witt
Hand Painted Tiles
ONE-OF-A-KIND HAND-PAINTED TILE, a world of UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES for creating exciting, colorful surfaces! I will hand-paint commercial or hand-made wall tiles, floor tiles and outdoor tiles that will withstand winter temperatures.

Daniel Oberti Ceramic Design
Ceramic Sculptor Daniel Oberti lives and maintains his studio in the rural meadows of western Sonoma County. His commissions are Architectural in content and scale, and include fountains, entry foyers, bathrooms, kitchens, walkways, fireplaces, and garden oriented artifacts.

Pat Wehrman
Dodge Lane Potters Group
Pat Wehrman's DLPG specializes in tiles which are handmade from wet clay. The tiles are individually glazed and fired to 2180 ° F, making them very durable and strong. The designs are made in cuerda seca (dry line) which allows the grout to lay in the unglazed lines, enhancing and detailing the design. DLPG glazes are suitable for most surface applications.

Dale Wiley
a mano handmade tile
Specialist in hand-carved ceramic tile inspired by the designs of Egypt, the Orient, Mexico, Europe, Morocco, and the American Southwest.

Art Tiles: Aesthetics of Pleasure
Article by Philip Read

Art Tiles are so described as to differentiate the hand-made/hand-painted tiles from the die cast mass-produced tiles. Tiles have had a long history of artistic and creative design. Currently, the social perception of the term ‘tiles’ has relegated the industry to an inexpensive commodity status indicating a separation from the high arts. This has not always been the case, the introduction of the machine produced tiles witnessed the gradual decrease of the hand as playing a major role in the production or painting of the tiles. In the 1840’s the ‘dust-pressing’ a method that consisted of compressing nearly dry clay between two metal dies revolutionized the tile making industry. Dust pressing replaced tile-making by hand with wet clay, and facilitated the mechanization of the tile-making industry.

Today, artisans use the term Art Tiles to identify their tiles as hand-made, hand-prepared and hand painted. This means that all tiles are made from wet clay and are individually prepared for painting by smoothing the surface and edges. The decoration is applied by hand techniques such as brush, scraffito, luster, tube and transfer printing.

Historical Context
The history of tiles is truly a global affair. Tiles can be traced back at least 4000 years into areas of China, Persia, Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) and Europe through Spain and Italy. They have been excavated at the pyramids, the ruins of Babylon and ruins of the ancient Greek cities. Tiles were originally used to beautify living spaces and were applied on walls and floors. Early designs exhibited decorations of white and blue stripes and later exhibited a wider decoration of patterns and colours. A fine white stoneware with glaze was found from the Shang-Yin Dynasty of China, 1523–1028 BC.

In the 10th and 11th Centuries a process that included a glassy layer over the clay was developed in Mesopotamia, Persia and Egypt. Families of potters moved to Spain from the Andalusia hub and Mediterranean strip of the Iberian Peninsula. This tile method was introduced to Europe with the Arab invasion of Spain where we still see the architectonic application of tiles on the greater mosque of Seville of the 12th century. Incredible architectural examples of Arab building tiles can still be seen throughout Spain especially at the Alhambra. Spain and Italy were prime markets for the development of tiles in Europe specifically in the 14th and 15th centuries. At this time the hand made production of tiles required an extremely specialized division of labour that involved tile makers and tile decorators.

Towards the 1500 the cities of Seville and Toledo took over the production of tiles. These cities developed new techniques for the making of tiles; they are credited with the appearance of the first mass production process.

During the 1840’s the tile industry was revolutionized by the ‘dust pressing’ method that consisted of compressing nearly dry clay between two metal dies. Subsequently, in the 19th Century and beginning of the 20th century, the tile industry entered a pre industrial stage that greatly increased the mechanized production and volume of tiles.

Prior to the 1840’s, tiles were hand-made, that is to say, that each tile was hand-formed and hand-painted making each tile a work of art in its own right. Today, ceramic tile is not hand-made or hand-painted for the most part. Automated manufacturing techniques are used and the human had does not enter into the picture until it is time to install the tile.

The introduction of the term Art Tile in the last 20 years is meant to promote the individual tile artist who still uses the hand to make, form and decorate the tiles. This term distinguishes the small studio tile artist from the mass produced industrial tile and promotes the return of the labour intensive artistic method of making tiles. Some tile artists will purchase standard mass produced bisque or glazed tile and then hand-paint the decoration. Other artists chose to hand-make, prepare and hand-paint the individual tiles. This later choice greatly increases the individual tile labour and dramatically impacts the volume of tiles produced. However, this later method uniquely individualizes each tile as a work of art, thus the Art Tile.

Personal Style and Technique
I chose to work only in ceramic porcelain clay; it is the smoothest of clay bodies and is excellent for painting. This choice started for me in 1995 when I went to the ancient city Jingdezhen, China to study painting and tile making with the many studio artists who still use the hands to make and decorate tiles. Jingdezhen has been the center of porcelain clay production for the past 1000years due to the abundant supply of Kaolin clay which is unique to the production of the white clay body. I was especially interested in the large tiles of 20” to 24” which offered a large smooth surface to paint on. All of my large tiles are hand made and hand prepared. I do not use a slab roller and maintain the thickness around one centimeter or 3/8” to ½”. Although this is a labour intensive process and fragile method I have been able to develop a success rate above 90% after firing.

The drying process takes up to three weeks and is a critical stage in the survival of the tile. During this drying period I have developed a series of coverings to slow down the dry rate that can lead to cracking and warping. After the tile has dried completely I can then start the painting process. I only work with Green Ware, no pre firing bisque because I have found that the dry clay has absorbency similar to paper. My painting technique is a combination of Eastern and Western brush applications. These brush techniques often require a series of dabs rather than a drawing stroke, the difference develops a layering process that will not smear or create smudge appearances. Of course, the detail work requires the delicate brush stroke application. I have found that this combination of dabs and drawing strokes gives me the maximum freedom of expression over a broad range of composition. My palette includes cobalt blue, under glaze colours, and glazes in combinations that enrich the aesthetic beauty of the artwork.

Once the tile painting is complete I apply a clear glaze over the top and move to the kiln stage. The Kiln stage is a very critical stage for the success of the large 24” green ware tiles. Moving the large green ware tiles to the kiln shelves is a very delicate and cautious stage, they can break very easy.

My firing process involves both vertical and horizontal firings. I use a gas fired reduction firing and/or an electric oxidation firing. Typically, I once fire up to 1350’c and then may have 2-4 subsequent firings including vertical firings.

I chose to hand-form, prepare and hand paint all of my porcelain tiles. As a small studio artisan I can never compete with the large mass-producing tile companies. Art Tiles currently have a niche market and serves customers who wish to have a unique one of a kind artwork to decorate their home.

I often describe my art making as painting with powdered glass suspended in water. My painting style is somewhat unorthodox and took me over 5years to develop. It is a brush application technique of dabbing and layering that results in the glaze melting and fusing into unexpected and exciting pools of liquid glass. These translucent layers of glass fuse onto the white porcelain clay and result in images of soft and strong colour compositions. My paintings are the influence of Western techniques (watercolours, oil, acrylic painting techniques) and Eastern techniques (ink and wash paintings on rice paper) combined with the aesthetics and philosophies of cross culture studies.

Aesthetics of Pleasure
The aesthetics of our personal environment is an important issue in the emergence and continuing development of Art Tiles. The aesthetics or beauty of an artwork responds to the individual’s pleasure principle and an emotion is evoked. An emotional relationship is formed, a bond of pleasure. Works of art provokes emotion and all of us react accordingly to specific compositions. However, when works of art are perceived to be commodity the relationship changes to one of decorative function the emotion is removed from the observation and the relationship remains formal.

Craft is often described as the production of a thing having characteristics that could be shared by other things. This sharing evokes a general emotion and not a specific emotion as evoked by an individual work of art like a painting or sculpture. Art Tiles have a limited niche market primarily due to cost. The Art Tiles are sold as works of art and are priced accordingly. They are not made to compete directly with the mass produced tiles but are sold to accent living spaces surrounded by inexpensive mass produced tiles. As such, someone will purchase individual tiles because of there beauty and aesthetic appeal but that is the beauty of Art Tiles; affordable, beautiful, archival (another loaded word), and durable.

Article courtesy Philip Read, Mountain Path Studio. ©

A HISTORY OF VINTAGE TEDDY BEARS

Steiff: 1902-05

EXPERIMENTAL PERIOD; INTRODUCTION OF "BUTTON IN EAR"

In 1902, Richard Steiff began experimenting to invent a satisfactory, flexible jointing systems. He devised a series of simple, string-jointed animals, one of which was the brown Bär 55 PB - so called because it was 55cm (22in) high (seated), made of Plusch (plush), and Beweglich (movable). The bear was in a crate of toys sent to New York in February 1903, but was initially unsuccessful. A month later, however, US wholesalers Geo. Borgfeldt & Co. ordered 3,000 at the Leipzip Spring Fair. Steiff patented four designs, culminating in the rod-jointed Bär 28 PB. Made for only one year, it is now highly prized.

Steiff: 1905-World War I

DESIGN PERFECTED; TRIANGULAR NOSE FOR SMALL SIZES

Richard Steiff perfected his plush bear-doll, patenting the design on 12 February 1905. The new bear had card disc-joints and was made in white, and light or dark brown mohair plush (although the prototype, a 32cm (13in) example now in the Steiff archives, was grey). Known as "Bärle" in catalogues, its code name was "PAB":Plusch (plush), Angeschiebt (disc jointed), and Beweglich (movable). Steiff patented its "button in ear" trademark on 13 May 1905, replacing the embossed elephant with the word "Steiff". In 1908-09, the company introduced linen ear-tags printed with product numbers.

Steiff: 1903-World War I

ALTERNATIVE NOSE DESIGN USED ON LARGER BEARS

The demand for teddies, particularly in the US, soared between 1903 and 1908, the period that the Steiff company called the Bärenjahre, when production increased from 12,000 to about 975,000. To use materials economically, Steiff cut six complete teddy-bear heads from one length of mohair plush; a seventh head was cut in two pieces, so creating the "centre-seam" teddy bear, which is now greatly prized. By 1905, seven sizes were available; this increased to fourteen by 1910. Bears over 40cm (16in) tall had a different nose design from smaller bears - shield shaped, vertically stitched, with a felt underlay.

Stieff: 1908-World War I

INTRODUCTION OF NOVELTY DESIGNS TO RETAIN MONOPOLY

Poly bear; the clockwork somersaulting teddy; and the 1913 Record teddy (seated on a In 1908, Steiff tried to regain its monopoly on teddy-bear manufacture by producing a number of novelties; in 1909, it added bright gold to its natural range of brown, beige, and white; and in 1912, it produced a special black bear for the British market. The Dolly bear of 1913 was produced for the US election, in red, white, and blue. Other novelties included the 1909 Roly wooden-wheeled metal chassis). The latter was copied by several British manufacturers, including J.K.Farnell & Co. Ltd.

Ideal: 1903-World War I

BIRTH OF TEDDY'S BEAR AND FIRST US MANUFACTURER

The story of the original teddy bear, hand-sewn by Rose Michtom and sold as Teddy's bear at her husband Morris's New York novelty and stationery store, is now legendary. In 1903, the Michtoms - having sold their entire stock of bears to the wholesale firm Butler Brothers, who then guaranteed their credit with the plush-producing mills - established the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. The company moved to larger premises in 1907, and a year later its first advertisement appeared in the US trade journal Playthings, in which they claimed to be "the largest bear manufacturers in the country".

US: C.1907-14

SHORT-LIVED FIRMS; TRADITIONAL AND NOVELTY DESIGNS

Theodore Roosevelt's second term in office (1905-09) saw the teddy-bear craze at its peak, with the establishment of numerous manufacturers. These included the American Doll and Toy Manufacturing Co. and the Miller Manufacturing Co. Many non-toy-making companies began to make teddy bears as well at this time: in 1907 the Fast Black Skirt Company's Electric Bright Eye and Hahn & Amberg's cork-filled teddy bears came on the market. Other novelties included Harman's 1908 Teddy Bear Purse ad the Dreamland Doll Company's topsy-turvy, half-teddy/half-doll of 1905-08.

Great Britain: 1908-c.1920

BIRTH OF BRITISH SOFT-TOY INDUSTRY; FIRST BRITISH BEARS

The teddy-bear craze reached Britain around 1908, fuelled perhaps by the fact that the country had its own "Teddy", Edward VII. Most teddy bears available in the early years were German, though made from mohair spun in English mills. A few soft-toy manufacturers existed, such as W.J.Terry and Dean's Rag Book Company, but it is J.K.Farnell & Co. that take the credit for making the first British, jointed, plush teddy bear, in 1908. World War I had a significant effect on the manufacture of teddy bears in Great Britain, many new factories being established as a result of the ban on German imports.

Germany: 1920s-30s

HERMANN FAMILY AND OTHER NEUSTADT/SONNEBERG COMPANIES

The teddy-bear industry in the Neustadt/Sonneberg area of Germany, the traditional toy-making region, began in 1907-08 in response to the US demand for bears, and in direct competition with Steiff. By 1930, the industry was fully developed: Artur, Bernhard, and Max, sons of Johann Hermann founded three major factories during this period, and even established doll companies, such as Gebrüder Süssenguth and Ernst Liebermann, turned to making bears. The bears of this region often had inset, contrasting muzzles, a style that endured after World War II.

Bing: 1909-32

TRADITIONAL DESIGN; BUTTON DISPUTE WITH STEIFF

Gebrüder Bing, a Nuremberg-based tinware company, turned to toymaking in the 1880's, and quickly established a reputation for its fine-quality, mechanical tin toys. Bing then set out to challenge Steiff's monopoly on teddy bears by introducing teddies into its programme in the early 1900s. Originally, Bing copied Steiff's overall design, differing only in small details; for example, by attaching a metal arrow to the right ear of its bears. Steiff's objection to this, however, led to Bing fixing a button (at first incised, later painted) to the left side of the bears; this was subsequently moved to the right arm.

Gebrüder Bing: c.1910-32

ADDITION OF CLOCKWORK MECHANISMS TO TEDDY-BEAR RANGE

Gebrüder Bing, already established as the world's largest mechanical tin-toy maker, soon introduced clockwork machanisms into its teddy bears, with a wind-up key at the side or front. Later bears, were dressed in felt outfits. Bing bears usually had a metal arrow (pre-World War I), a sliver "GBN" button (Gebrüder Bing Nürnberg, pre-1919) or a red "BW" button (Bing Werke, post-1920). Some had a red, metal button with "DRPa div DRGM" (Deutsches Reichs Patent/Deutsches Reichs Gebrauchmuster). The company went into receivership in 1932.

Steiff: 1920s-1930s

TRADITIONAL AND NOVELTY BEARS; INTRODUCTION OF GLASS EYES

During World War I, the Steiff factory was turned over to making war supplies, and in the post-war period, when materials were rationed, teddies were made from reconstituted wood fibre. The 1920s saw a different style of Steiff teddy emerge, with glass eyes and kapok stuffing, and the introduction of new colours of plush. Teddy Clown arrived in 1926, followed by Teddybu, dressed in a felt waistcoat. In 1928, a squeeze-type musical teddy was made. Unique designs included Petsy, Teddy-Baby, and Dicky. In 1938, after the arrival of the first pandas in Western zoos, Steiff introduced their Panda-Bear.

Schuco: 1920s-30s

SCHUCO MINIATURES AND NOVELTIES

In 1912, Heinrich Müllerm a former employee of Gebrüder Bing, founded Schreyer & Co. (usually known as Schuco) with his partner, Heinrich Schreyer, in Nuremberg. After World War I, when both men were conscripted, Schreyer left the firm and Müller took on a new business partner, Adolf Kahn. Since the company's inception, the registered trademark had been a little, tumbling man clasping his feet. In 1921, "Schuco" was officially added to this logo. Müller concentrated primarily on ingenious novelties, many of which were clockwork, including a uniformed marching bear and a bear with a football.

Schuco: 1920s-30s

INTRODUCTION OF SCHUCO PATENTED YES/NO BEARS

In 1921, Schreyer and Company's famous patented Yes/No bears appeared for the first time at the Leipzig Spring Toy Fair in Germany. Their heads could be turned from left to right, as well as nodded up and down, by moving the tail, which acted as a lever connected to a metal rod running up through the body to a ball-and-socket neck joint. The bears, with disc-jointed limbs and silk bows, were available in six sizes, from 25cm to 60cm (10in to 24in), in short, shaggy, and extra-shaggy mohair plush. The two larger sizes had tilt-growlers, whereas the rest containted squeakers.

Helvetic: mid-1920s

SWISS-MADE, SQUEEZE-TYPE, MUSICAL-BOX TEDDIES

Experts have identified a range of unmarked bears - produced c.1925 and containing squeeze-type musical boxes - as the work of the Helvetic Company. A 1928 issue of the US trade journal of Toy World reported that the Helvetic Company held the exclusive manufacturing rights to teddy bears containing such mechanisms, but it is not known whether Helvetic was a US company importing the mechanisms from Switzerland, or a Swiss company exporting musical teddies. The name Helvetic is derived from Helvetia, the Latin name for Switzerland, where the clockwork musical box was invented.

US: 1914-20s

During the early craze in the United States (c.1907), the American teddy bear aquired realistic bear features, such as an elongated muzzle, long limbs, and a hump, copying the example set by Steiff and other German manufacturers. From the end of World War I onwards, however, inferior quality, US-made teddy bears were developed. Now known in American arctophilic circles as "US stick bears", because of their reduced features, these bears were produced for the masses by many small, now forgotten, soft-toy factories. Unfortunately, these companies did not attach labels to their products.

France: 1920s-30s

BIRTH OF FRENCH SOFT-TOY INDUSTRY; ROD-JOINTED BEARS

Although already renowned for its mechanical bears, France did import teddy bears from Germany during the early years of the craze. However, the 1914-18 war and the resulting border closures led to the establishment of a French teddy-bear industry. Generally of lower quality than their German counterparts, French bears were often made of short, bristly mohair or of coloured rayon plush. Manufacturers often employed cheaper methods of attaching eyes and ears (they pushed them into holes in the sides of the head, for example), as well as an unsophisticated, exterior jointing system.

J.K. Farnell: 1920s-30s

ALPHA BEARS AND OTHER TRADITIONAL NOVELTY RANGES

Henry and Agnes Farnell, whose ealier family business made small textile items, established a soft-toy firm in their Acton home in west London after the death of their father, John Kirby Farnell, in 1897. J.K.Farnell made its name with the Alpha trade mark after World War I, building a factory and becoming a private limited company in 1921. By the end of the decade, the company had showrooms in London, Paris, and New York. Despite a fire that destroyed the factory in 1934, J.K.Farnell was operating again the following year with new lines and billing itself as the "world's premier soft-toy manufacturers".

Chad Valley: 1920s-30s

EARLY TRADITIONAL BEARS; BUTTON AND LABEL TRADEMARKS

The first Chad Valley traditional, jointed, plush teddy bears were manufactured in 1915-16, following the ban on German imports into Britain. "Chad Valley" was the trademark of Johnson Brothers who made stationery and board games at their works in Harborne, Birmingham. By 1920, the company had so expanded that soft-toy production was moved to a separate factory, the Wrekin Toy Works in Wellington, Shropshire; the business became known as The Chad Valley Co. Ltd. The teddy bears of the 1920s-30s were marked by a printed, celluloid-covered, metal button and/or a woven label.

Chad Valley: 1920s-30s

TRADITIONAL BEARS WITH ALTERNATIVE NOSE DESIGNS

Chad Valley expanded rapidly throughout the 1920s and 1930s, taking over five companies, including Isaacs & Co. and Peacock & Co. By the early 1930s, the company was advertising bears in fourteen sizes, including three that were available either "hard or soft stuffed". By the end of the decade, however, only kapok was being used. During this period, also, nose designs were modified: the rectangular, horizontally stitched nose and the thickly bound, oval shape that is now often referred to as the "typical Chad Valley nose".

Chiltern: 1920s-40s

DEVELOPMENT OF FAMOUS CHILTERN HUGMEE RANGE

Leon Rees inherited the Chiltern Toy Works from his father-in-law, Josef Eisenmann, in 1919. In 1920, he collaborated with Harry Stone, formerly of J.K.Farnell, to form H.G.Stone and Co., which became one of the foremost British soft-toy manufacturers of the time. The trademark "Chiltern Toys" referred to the company's location in Chesham, in the Chiltern Hills. Bears were made there until 1940 when the factory was turned over to war work. One of Chiltern's earliest teddy bears was Baby Bruin, the Bear Cub, of 1922. In 1937, the Wagmee series - similar to Schuco's Yes/No bear - was introduced.

Joy-Toys: 1920s-60s

BIRTH OF FIRST AUSTRALIAN SOFT-TOY MANUFACTURER

Joy-Toys was founded in the 1920s by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Kirby of South Yarra, Victoria, and was probably the first Austalian commercial teddy-bear manufacturer. Before this, teddies were imported from Europe or they were home-made. After the Kirbys' departure to London in 1937 to form the soft-toy company, G.L.Kirby Ltd., Joy-Toys expanded under the leadership of Maurice Court, gaining the sole Austalian franchise for Walt Disney characters and opening a factory at Whangarei, New Zealand. In 1966, the firm was bought out by the British-owned company, Cyclops, and ceased business in the 1970s.

Merrythought: 1930s

EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF TWO TRADITIONAL BRITISH DESIGNS

In 1930, W.G.Holmes and G.H.Laxton opened a soft-toy factory in a building originally leased from the the Coalbrookdale Company, in Ironbridge, Shropshire. They registered their trademark Merrythought (a 17th-century English word meaning wishbone, and a symbol of good luck) that same year. In 1931, they produced their first catalogue, advertising two golden mohair teddy-bear designs: the Magnet range, which was designed, in four sizes, to "attract" the cheaper end of the market; and the Merrythought range, which evolved later into their key pattern, the M line.

Chad Valley: 1938-50s

ROYAL WARRANT LABEL; TRADITIONAL TEDDY BEARS

By the end of the 1930s, The Chad Valley Company was recognized as one of the world's leading toy manufacturers. It had expanded greatly and, in 1938, was granted the British Royal Warrant of Appointment. From that time, all of the firm's toys carried a label with the declaration "Toymakers to Her Majesty the Queen", referring to Queen Elizabeth, the wife of the monarch, King George VI. The wording changed in 1953 with the coronation of the present Queen Elizabeth II, when "the Queen" became "the Queen Mother" - a detail that is helpful when trying to date Chad Valley bears.

Chad Valley: 1930s-1940s

NOVELTIES; INTRODUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE PLUSH FABRICS

The Chad Valley Company produced a number of novelty items, beginning with its 1926 Rainbow Tubby Bear, with ruff and pierrot's hat. Its most popular novelty in the 1930s was Cubby Bear, which was made of brown and fawn alpaca plush and available in three sizes. This endearing bear was possibly the Chad Valley equivalent of Merrythought's Bingie. Cubby's baby brother Sonny Bear was made from biscuit-coloured plush and wore a bib. In 1934, Chad Valley produced Winnie the Pooh and various other A.A.Milne characters, populated by the BBC radio's Children's Hour programme.

Merrythought Magic

BRITAIN'S OLDEST FAMILY-OWNED, SOFT-TOY COMPANY

In 1919, W.G.Holmes and G.H.Laxton opened a small spinning mill in Yorkshire to weave yarns from raw mohair imported from such countries as Turkey and South Africa. During the 1920s, the partnership bought Dyson Hall and Co. Ltd, a mohair-plush weaving factory in Huddersfield. Seeking an outlet for their plush fabric, they decided to establish a soft-toy factory: Merrythought Ltd. Was founded in 1930. The following year they leased one of the buildings belonging to the Coalbrookdale Co. in Ironbridge, Shropshire, on the banks of the River Severn.

Merrythought: 1930s

BINGIE FAMILY SERIES AND OTHER PRE-WAR NOVELTIES

Soon after its foundation, Merrythought began making novelty teddy bears. The company made several soft alpaca bear-cub ranges ideal for young children, such as the very early Tumpy, and the later Chubby Bear of the mid-1930s; both are reminiscent of Chad Valley's Cubby Bear. Bobby Bruin and Teddy Doofings were a new departure. The latter, available in brown, blue, pink, and green plush, with sleeping eyes, was Mickey-Mouse-like and fully "poseable". The Bingie family - introduced at the firm's outset, and available throughout the 1930s - was especially popular.

UK: 1930s-50s

MINOR BRITISH COMPANIES; UNMARKED, LOWER QUALITY EXAMPLES

Several minor toy-manufacturers were in operation in the UK during the 1930s, many founded during World War I, but later forced into liquidation during the lean years of the late 1930s to the early 1950s. For example, W.H.Jones, a pioneering British soft-toy manufacturer, established in 1914, went into liquidation in 1937. The Teddy Toy Company, also established at the outbreak of World War I, became famous for its Softanlite teddies of the 1920s and 1930s, but eventually wound up business in 1951. Many manufacturers did not attach permanent trademarks, making identification difficult.

Dean's: 1920s-50s

DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL BRITISH BEAR; TWO FACTORY MOVES

Dean's produced their first catalogued teddy bears at their Elephant and Castle factory in London in 1915, although the company may have been making bears for other firms prior to this. By 1922-23 Dean's had registered its trade name "A1 Toys", observed in catalogues as triangular, card swing-tags. The bears came in three grades of plush, stuffed with wood-wool, and with either a squeaker or growler. From 1937-55 Dean's teddies were made at the new, purpose-built factory at Merton, Surrey, but few were produced during World War II, when the factory concentrated on producing war materials.

Knickerbocker: 1920-30s

TRADITIONAL MOHAIR PLUSH; POINTED MUZZLE DESIGN

The Knickerbocker Toy Company was first established in Albany, New York during the mid-nineteenth century, producing typical educational toys of the period, such as lithographed alphabet blocks. The unusual name "Knickerbocker" was derived from the traditional nickname for New York inhabitants, a reference to the original Dutch settlers' baggy breeches. A 1980 Knickerbocker label states that the company had been making soft toys for more than half a century. Certainly today the earliest bears attributable to Knickerbocker date from the 1920s when permanent labels were introduced.

Knickerbocker: post-World War II

TRADITIONAL DESIGN WITH INSET MUZZLE, AND NOVELTIES

The post-war, Knickerbocker traditional design was typified by the inset, rounded muzzle of clipped plush, chubby body, and round head with high forehead, although still retaining the large ears seen on some pre-war bears. As well as beginning to use synthetic fabrics at this time, the company also adopted "spangle" eyes - of glass, and later of plastic - as well as felt noses and tongues. Knickerbocker's pre-war "Animals of Distinction" logo was joined by the new registered "joy of a Toy" trademark in the 1950s. The company regained the license for making "Smokey Bear" from Ideal from the 1960s until the late 1970s.

Japan: 1945-90s

SYNTHETIC MATERIALS; ROD JOINTING; MECHANICAL BEARS

The Japanese had produced moulded, bisque and celluloid teddy bears from the 1920s; the post-war era saw Japan leading the technological field (from 1945 to 1950 the "Made in Japan" label changed to "Made in Occupied Japan"). From c.1950 to 1970 Japanese manufacturers produced clockwork and battery-operated tin bears. They also made traditional teddies with mechanical devices, such as the Kamar Toy Company's Dear Heart with a battery operated "beating" heart. In the 1980s, Tokyo's First Corporation described itself as Japan's premier supplier of quality stuffed animals to the world.

Australia: 1930s-60s

DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIAN-MADE TRADITIONAL BEAR

Several Australian soft-toy manufacturers were established in the 1930s, but the scarcity of traditional materials limited teddy production during World War II. Sheepskin bears with leather or suede pads and noses date from this period, when the stiff-necked Australian bear (without a neck joint) was developed, saving on card and metal. Some new companies emerged in the 1950s, such as Parker Toys of Brunswick, Victoria, and Barton Waugh Pty. Ltd. of Hurstville, New South Wales, but by the 1970s, many established firms had gone out of business, unable to compete with cheap imports from East Asia.

Character: 1945-83

DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL AND UNJOINTED DESIGN BEARS

Two New Yorkers, Caesar Mangiapani and Jack Levy, established the Character Novelty Co. in 1932, at 14 South Main Street, Norwalk, Connecticut. The business really began to develop after World War II, when it started to produce a wide range of soft toy animals, including teddy bears. The toys were designed by Caesar Mangiapani, and his partner managed the sales side of the business. The company sold to all the major department stores, including Bloomingdales, and had a showroom in New York. Jack Levy retired in about 1960, but the business continued until 1983, when Caesar Mangiapani died.

Gund: 1930s-60s

TRADITIONAL AND UNJOINED DESIGNS

German emigrant Adolph Gund established Gund Manufacturing Co. in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1898, moving to New York City in the early 1900s. The firm produced novelties, including soft toys, and added teddy bears in 1906. Jacob Swedlin, a Russian emigré and Adolph Gund's aide, bought the firm after Gund retired in 1925. He was responsible for the firm's expansion and procured the license to produce Walt Disney characters. Until 1971, the factory was sited in Brooklyn, and the offices in New York City, moving to Edison, New Jersey in 1973. Today, some of Gund's teddies are made in East Asia.

Ideal: 1930s-50s

JOINTED AND UNJOINTED; INTRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC FABRICS

In the years before World War II, Ideal bears differed little from their earlier designs and they were not permanently marked, so date and positive identification can be difficult for collectors. Ideal's founder Morris Michton died in 1938 but, under the leadership of his son Benjamin, the post-war era was a highly productive one, with the introduction of new designs and materials, a permanent trademark, as well as the new name of Ideal Toy Corporation. The company was granted the licence for the first Smokey Bear soft toy (promoting the US Forest Fire Prevention Campaign), which was introduced in 1953.

Merrythought: 1940s-50s

POST-WAR TRADITIONAL BEARS AND REDESIGNED LABEL

During World War II, Merrythought made few bears, as the Ironbridge factory was taken over by the British Admiralty for map-making and storage purposes. A room in nearby Wellington was rented for toy production, buy eventually all work turned to the war effort. The traditional bear design remained unaltered after the war, except for the effects of rationing on the quality and quantity of fabric. The button trademark was phased out, but the foot-label was still used, with the words printed on instead of being embroidered, as before the war; in 1957, "Ironbridge, Shrops." Replaced "Hygienic Toys".

J.K.Farnell: 1945-68

TRADITIONAL AND NOVELTY BRITISH BEARS; REDESIGNED LABEL

The embroidered Farnell label was replaced, after World War II, by a printed, satinized label, with "Alpha" in a shield shape - a shape also used for swing-tags at this time. Although Alpha teddy bears remained Farnell's major line, the company also advertised La Vogue nightdress cases, and, in 1960, it registered Mother Goose as the tradename for a range of washable soft toys. In 1959, the head office and some production was transferred to Hastings, Sussex; in 1964 the lease for the Acton Alpha Works terminated and all production was then moved to Hastings. The business was sold in 1968.

Pedigree: 1937-50s

TRADITIONAL BRITISH BEARS FROM MERTON AND BELFAST FACTORIES

Pedigree Soft Toys Ltd, was a subsidiary of Lines Bros., the largest toy manufacturer in the world in the 1930s-50s; it originally operated from Lines' Triang Works in Merton, Surrey. The first catalogue offering Pedigree Soft Toys was produced in 1937, although the tradename had been used since the early 1930s for Lines' pram range. Soft and chassis toys continued to be made in Merton until the 1950s when production was transferred to the company's Castlereagh factory in Belfast, N. Ireland. Pedigree bears were also made in factories around the world including one in Auckland, New Zealand.

Gebrüder Hermann: 1948-c.1970

TRADITIONAL AND NOVELTY BEARS; NEW POST-WAR FACTORY

After World War II, when Sonneberg became part of the Soviet Occupied Zone of Germany, Bernhard Hermann, fearing the communist regime, sent his son Werner to the small town of Hirschaid, in the American Occupied Zone, to set up a new factory there. By 1951, the whole family had been relocated and the business, owned by the three brothers, became know as Gebrüder Hermann KG. Hellmut was director of operations, Artur was business manager, and Werner was product manager and designer. The company thrived, reproducing traditional designs and introducing novelty ranges.

Hermann & Co: 1940's-60s

TRADITIONAL INSET MUZZLE AND NOVELTIES

In 1947, Max Hermann's son, Rolf-Gerhard, joined the family business, which then took on the name, Max Hermann & Sohn. In 1949, they founded the subsidiary company, Hermann & Co. KG, in Coburg, Bavaria, in what was then the US Occupied Zone of Germany, about 15km (9 miles) from Sonneberg. Fearing the Communist regime, they moved Max Hermann & Sohn and the family home to Coburg in 1953, joining Hermann & Co. KG there. Max died in 1955, leaving the business in the hands of Rolf and his wife, Dora-Margot. The company eventually became known as Hermann-Spielwaren.

Steiff: 1940s-early 1960s

POST-WAR, REDESIGNED, TRADITIONAL ORIGINAL TEDDY

Raw materials became increasingly difficult to obtain from 1939, and in 1943 Steiff ceased toy production, becoming a munitions factory for the rest of World War II. After the war, the firm made small quantities of bears, often from low-quality fabrics. Steiff remodelled their Original Teddy design in 1950; the new version had shorter limbs and was available in 23cm (9in) and 35cm (14in) sizes, in caramel-coloured and dark brown mohair. A year later, the range increased to ten sizes and included white and beige mohair plush. The bears also carried newly designed buttons and printed card chest-tags.

Dean's: 1950s

BRITISH POST-WAR NOVELTIES; MOVE FROM MERTON TO RYE FACTORY

The first Dean's catalogue after World War II appeared in 1949, offering a much reduced range due to the shortage of raw materials. However the company, with a reorganized sales force, was soon back on its feet. A further boost to business was provided by the birth of London Zoo's first polar bear cub Brumas in 1949, generating great demand for white bears. In 1952 a new assistant designer, Sylvia R. Willgoss, joined Dean's and introduced many novel designs. She succeeded Richard Ellett as head designer in 1956 when the company moved from Merton, Surrey to new premises in Rye, Sussex.

Chad Valley: 1950s-60s

NOVELTIES, AND DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADITIONAL DESIGN

Post-war advances in the plastics industry had their effect on teddy bears. During the 1950s, Chad Valley gradually replaced glass eyes with plastic ones and produced some teddy bears with realistic, moulded plastic noses. The company also began to introduce nylon and other synthetic fabrics into its range, although the basic bear design remained the same. Radio had influenced the toy industry since the early days, but in the 1950s Chad Valley obtained the sole rights to manufacture Harry Corbett's mischievous Sooty glove puppet, which featured in a popular children's television programme from 1952.

Chiltern: post-World War II-1950s

POST-WAR CHILTERN HUGMEE AND NOVELTY TEDDY BEARS

Towards the end of World War II, it became clear the H.G.Stone's factories in Tottenham, north London, and Chesham, Bucks., would never be able to meet the demand for Chiltern toys, and so in 1945 the company obtained a site near Pontypool, in south Wales, to build a new and larger factory with modern facilities. The company set up a school to train young girls and women in soft-toy production techniques in readiness for the factory's opening in 1947. The new factory was extended on several occasions during the highly productive, post-war period, when up to 300 workers were employed.

Chiltern: c.1958-early 1960s

INTRODUCTION OF MOULDED PLASTIC NOSE AND WASHABLE TEDDY BEARS

The company H.G.Stone first used moulded plastic noses on its Chiltern bears in about 1958. Originally sewn on, the noses were later locked-in with washers, in keeping the the new safety regulations. Many of the older Chiltern lines, such as the Hugmee range, were then given plastic noses for a new look. In about 1960, a sleeping bear was introduced, with plastic nose; black, felt, closed eyelids; and a bell in each ear. Washable teddy bears became available in 1964, the year that H.G.Stone & Co. Ltd became part of the Dunbee-Combex group, makers of vinyl and rubber toys.

Steiff: 1950s

NEW NOVELTY BEARS; MODIFIED EARLIER DESIGNS

In the 1950s, Steiff introduced several "new-look" teddies into its programme, though some still followed pre-World War II designs. The jubilee celebrations of the first Steiff teddy bear in 1953 heralded not only Jackie-Baby but also Nimrod-Bear, dressed in a hunting suit, available in four different colours of felt, and carrying a wooden rifle. Steiff made a new 30cm (12in) Teddy-Baby and used the same head design on its 1950s Teddyli, which had a soft fabric body, dangling, unstuffed arms, and stiff legs. Some had rubber bodies but, due to the perishable nature of this material, few survive intact.

Schuco: 1949-76

POST-WAR NOVELTIES: CLOCKWORK, FLEXIBLE, TALKING BEARS

Post- war production recommenced at Schreyer and Company's Schuco plant around 1949. New, novelty lines included the clockwork Rolly Bear (1954) wearing roller skates, and the Dancing Bear (1956-62) who turned in circles while throwing a ball up and down. When Heinrich Müller died in 1958, his son, Werner, took over alongside manager, Alexander Gitz. In the 1960s, the Bigo Bello series was introduced; this included Parlo, the talking bear, (speaking German, French, or Italian) with a pull cord mechanism (1963). Schuco was bought by Dunbee-Combex-Marx in 1976.

Germany: post-1945

SIMILAR TRADITIONAL STYLES; INTRODUCTION OF TAGGING

Many manufacturers operated in the Neustadt area after World War II. Some, like the two Hermann factories, had recently arrived from nearby Sonneberg following Russian occupation. Post-war designs did not change much from those of the pre-war period: many firms used similar patterns with narrow bodies, straight legs, small feet, and inset muzzles. By this time, however, several firms had introduced labels to their products to aid identification and recognition. The labels varied in form, and included triangular tags, scalloped, circular tags, chest-buttons, and oblong, metal, foot-tags.

Germany: post-1945

ZOTTY LOOK-ALIKES; SYNTHETIC MATERIALS

Certain German manufacturers borrowed ideas from Steiff's novelty lines of the 1950s, such as the popular Zotty range. Both of the Hermann factories and Clemens produced their own Zotty bears, while other firms hinted at the Zotty design by combining shaggy fur and an open mouth with inset muzzle. The traditional teddy remained popular, while incorporating modern materials and safety measures. Cheaper East-Asian imports forced some firms, such as Petz and Eli, to close during the 1970s; others, such as Heunec, assembled some of their bears outside of Germany to cut costs.

Switzerland & Austria: post-1945

FIRMS BASED IN ZURICH AND GRAZ

Since the 1920s, Switzerland has exported its famed musical mechanisms to the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, for use in teddy bears. The Swiss did not generally make teddy bears themselves, although the company MCZ Schweizer Plüschtierchen (meaning little Swiss plush animals) operated after World War II. A number of Austrian teddy-bear manufacturers, including Schwika, Fechter, and Schenker, based in Graz, and SAF in Mittendorf, also existed in the post-war era. The Berg company in Fieberbrunn is currently the largest teddy-bear manufacturer in Austria.

Merrythought: 1940s-60s

CHEEKY DESIGN AND OTHER POST-WAR NOVELTY BEARS

The Cheeky design was so named during the 1956 British Toy Fair because of the bear's wide smile. The "bell in ear" concept was later borrowed by other manufacturers as well as being used again by Merrythought in its Pastel Bear of 1957, a soft-stuffed and unjoined, artificial-silk plush bear. Merrythought reused the Cheeky design in different plushes and again, in 1962, with an open mouth. From the late 1950s on, the company also produced many soft toys based on television or movie cartoon characters - Sooty, a British TV glove puppet appeared in 1960, and Disney's Winnie the Pooh in 1966.

Wendy Boston: 1945-76

DEVELOPMENT OF FIRST FULLY WASHABLE TEDDY BEAR

Ken and Wendy Williams (née Boston) started their pioneering, soft-toy business in south Wales after World War II and moved to larger premises, at Crickhowell and Abergavenny, in 1948. As Wendy Boston (Crickhowell) Ltd., they invented the safe, screw-locked, plastic eye and then, in 1954, the first washable teddy bear, which revolutionized the soft-toy industry. A decade later, as Wendy Boston Playsafe Toys Ltd., they were producing over a quarter of the UK's total, soft-toy exports. In 1968, they were taken over by Denys Fisher Toys (subsequently Palitoy and General Mills), but the factory closed in 1976.

UK: post-World War II-c.1970

BRITISH INDUSTRY STRUGGLES; SHEEPSKIN AND TRADITIONAL

Several new companies were established in the UK after World War II. Due to the rationing of traditional mohair at the time, these companies made teddy bears of sheepskin, a material that remained popular until the 1960s. The economic climate in Britain during the 1970s forced the demise of many newly formed traditional teddy-bear manufacturers: Gwentoys Ltd (established in 1965) was taken over by Dean's in 1972; Acton Toycraft Ltd. (established in 1964) closed in the 1970s; and Real Soft Toys (established in 1969) was later taken over by Lefray Ltd., another post-war firm.

Dean's: c.1960-80

TRADITIONAL AND UNJOINED BEARS MADE BY SUBSIDIARIES

The 1960s and 1970s was an era of change for Dean's Rag Book Company Ltd. Its main production continued at the factory in Rye, Sussex, which was extended in 1961. The company used the Childsplay Toys trademark until 1965, when Childsplay Ltd. (one of two divisions formed in the 1950s, the other being Merton Toys Ltd.) became Dean's Childsplay Toys Ltd. From that time, the familiar fighting dogs logo was dropped from the label. In 1974, two years after the buyout of Gwentoys, some production moved from Rye to Pontypool in south Wales. The Rye plant eventually closed in 1980.

Steiff: 1960s-90s

NEW TRADITIONAL AND UNJOINED BEARS; SYNTHETIC FABRICS

Steiff developed a number of designs at this time, notably in the soft-filled, unjoined range of teddies. Zooby of 1964 was an unjointed, standing bear with felt claws, whereas Tapsy was less menacing, with her airbrushed, smiling face and short, sleeveless dress. In 1975, Steiff revived the ever-popular Zotty with a new Minky Zotty in a mink-like synthetic plush. During this time, manufacturers increasingly used man-made fabrics for the outer-skin, and foam-rubber for the filling. They used airbrushing techniques, with non-toxic paints, for defining facial features.

Chad Valley: 1960-78

TRADITIONAL AND UNJOINTED BRITISH BEARS: CHILTERN/CHAD VALLEY TAKEOVER

In 1960, when it celebrated its centenary, Chad Valley was operating seven factories and employing over 1,000 workers. After Chiltern Toys became a subsidiary in 1967, it became the largest manufacturer of soft toys in the UK. The 1970s recession, however, led to the closure of the Wrekin Works at Wellington, leaving Pontypool as the company's only surviving soft-toy plant. In 1978, Chad Valley was taken over by Palitoy, later to be bought by US-owned Kenner Parker. The tradename was bought in 1988 by Woolworths, who introduced a new range of Chad Valley soft toys, made in East Asia.

Pedigree: 1960s-80s

WASHABLE, SYNTHETIC MATERIALS; NEW CANTERBURY LABEL

In the 1960s, Pedigree factories in Northern Ireland and New Zealand were making teddy bears. This period saw an increase in the use of washable, synthetic materials, such as nylon plushes and foam-rubber stuffing. Pedigree later introduced novelties, such as the battery-operated Simon the Walking Bear and a talking Rupert Bear. In 1966, when the Lines Brothers group reorganized into Rovex Tri-ang Ltd., Pedigree - a subsidiary of Lines Brothers - moved all its soft-toy production to Canterbury, England. Dunbee-Combex-Marx took over Lines in 1972. Pedigree ceased business in 1988.

Merrythought: 1970s-80s

MODERN "M" DESIGN; TRADITIONAL BEARS AND NOVELTIES

During this period, the traditional, golden mohair "M" teddy continued to be made, but additional colours were also introduced. Updating of the design began in 1983 with the Aristocrat Bear, was available in seven sizes, with shaved muzzle, and dropped outer stitch nose design Merrythought's popular Cheeky design was reintroduced during the 1970s, and was available in both mohair and synthetic plush. In 1972-73, the London Bears, dressed as Guardsman, Policeman, Beefeater, or Highlander, were introduced; the 45cm (18in) Beefeater and Guardsman bears were reinstated in 1985.

Australia & New Zealand: 1970-90s

COMPETITION FROM EAST ASIA; GROWTH OF COLLECTORS' BEARS

In the 1970s, several manufacturers based in Australia and New Zealand - for example, Luvme Toys and Pedigree of Auckland - were forced out of business by cheaper East Asian imports. New Australian firms, including Teddy & Friends, Tomfoolery, and C.A.Toys, emerged, designing the bears themselves, but having them assembled in China or Korea. Jakas remained one of the few firms to make all-Australian bears in the 1980s and 1990s. Smaller firms, such as Sheepskin Products Ltd., Harrisons Textiles, and Robin Rive's Robbity Bob, also appeared, some targeting the collectors' market.

US: 1950s-80s

SAFE, SOFT, AND SYNTHETIC BEARS MADE IN EAST ASIA

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, several new companies were formed in the United States: R.Dakin & Co. (1955); California Stuffed Toys (1959). They set a trend by manufacturing their bears in East Asia where labour cost were much cheaper. Many old-established firms still flourished, such as the Mary Meyer Corporation and Gund, who introduced its innovative Luv-me-Bear in the early 1970s. However, the 1980s saw the demise of Knickerbocker, Character, and Ideal, whose teddy-bear range was discontinued after the takeover by CBS Inc.

US: late 1970s-80s

MASS MARKET, SPECIAL EDITION, COLLECTORS' BEARS

From the late 1970s, many US teddy-bear firms began to make special editions, sometimes limited to a few thousand, for the burgeoning collectors' market, in addition to their standard ranges of toys. Gund, for example, introduced its Collectors Classics range in 1979, and its annual Gundy limited=edition series from 1983. Bears were made to mark special occasions, such as the anniversary of the firm. In 1988, for example, both California Stuffed Toys and Determined Productions Inc. produced bears representing the first Ideal bear, in celebration of the 85th anniversary of the birth of the teddy bear.

UK: 1970s-80s

NEW FIRMS; TRADITIONAL AND UNJOINED, SYNTHETIC BEARS

Despite the fact that many British firms making traditional-style teddy bears closed down or were taken over in the 1970s, several new soft-toy companies were established and many of these flourished as a result of the craze for teddy-bear collecting. Little Folk began making soft toy animals in 1976, but its first teddy bear, introduced in 1980, became the company's most important product. Alresford Crafts (1970-92) also made soft toy animals originally, but later concentrated on teddies. Big Softies (est. 1978) turned to traditional teddies about 1982, and now focuses on the collectors' market.

House of Nisbet: 1976-89

PETER BULL-INSPIRED BEARS AND COLLECTORS' BEARS

In 1975, Jack Wilson acquired Peggy Nisbet Ltd., a company specializing in portrait dolls. He renamed the firm, House of Nisbet Ltd., and introduced its Childhood Classics traditional teddy bears. Peggy Nisbet's daughter, Alison (who later married Jack Wilson) designed the range. The firm was known for its limited-edition character bears. In 1979, Nisbet invited British arctophile Peter Bull to collaborate on the creation of a Bully Bear range. Nisbet reproduced his bear, "Delicatessen", in 1987, using distressed mohair, a material that Jack Wilson helped to invent. Dakin UK bought House of Nisbet in 1989.

North American Bear Co: 1979-92

PERSONALITY BEARS, SOME COSTUMED, FOR COLLECTORS

The North American Bear Company was founded by New Yorker, Barbara Isenberg, following the creation of Albert the Running Bear - the hero of three books that Barbara co-wrote. The Very Important Bear Series is based on historical, literary, and Hollywood characters; each is given a punning name - hence the phrase "The ones with the puns". Apart from bears such as Oatmeal and Ruggles, most are clothed, including the very popular VanderBear family. The bears are created by plush designers and Barbara Isenberg; and the bears' costumes are designed by Odl and Katya Bauer.

Russ Berrie: Mass-produced Bears

MODERN BEARS FROM EAST ASIAN FACTORIES; SOLD WORLDWIDE

Russ Berrie and Company Inc. manufacture and distribute the world's largest range of "impulse gift" products, including soft toys, mugs, figurines, greetings cards and posters, candles and dolls. Now a world-wide organization, with sales topping $400,000,000, the company has been a leader in the soft-toy industry since the late 1970s, selling to over 95,000 international retailers in a variety of locations such as shopping-malls, airports, hospitals, and college campuses, and as far apart as Africa, the Middle East, India, Russia, Iceland, Europe, North America, and Australasia.

Canterbury Bears: 1980-90s

TRADITIONAL COLLECTORS' BEARS BY A BRITISH FAMILY BUSINESS

John Blackburn established Canterbury Bears with his daughter Kerstin in 1980, at their home in Westbere, Kent. His wife Maude and children Mark and Victoria later joined the firm which moved to its present workshop in Littlebourne, a village outside Canterbury, in 1984. Canterbury Bears are fully jointed, and are made of natural or top quality synthetic fabrics; they come in a Classic or Special range, which expands each year. They often have unusual features, such as partially shaved faces or unique claws. The firm introduced special commissions, limited editions, and replicas in later 1980s.

Steiff: 1980-92

REPLICAS FOR COLLECTORS; SPECIAL COMMISSIONS

In 1980, a limited-edition replica of the 1905 Original Teddy was produced to celebrate the centenary of Steiff's earliest soft toy, initiating an annual programme of reproductions of archive samples (often in limited editions). Other trends followed: copies of one-off celebrity bears, such as "Alfonzo" and "Happy"; editions exclusive to certain countries; special collectors' items, such as the Goldilocks and the Three Bears sets; and a miniature historical series. Special commissions, beginning with the 1970s Olympic mascot, Waldi, have also been produced for museums and shops.

Gebrüder Hermann: 1980s-92

UNJOINTED BEARS; COLLECTORS' SPECIAL EDITIONS AND REPLICAS

Following the retirement of the original three Hermann brothers, the 1980s saw this company under the management of their daughters. Although still producing teddy bears for children, the business began to expand into the field of adult collectables. In 1984, Model 63 was produced, replicating the classic first Gebrüder Hermann teddy bear. Other replicas and special limited editions followed, including Bernhard Bear (named after the original founder). Special commissions included three 91cms (36in) bears made for the store P. & E. Rubin, each in a limited edition of ten.

Germany: 1980s-90s

TRADITIONAL RANGE INCLUDING LIMITED EDITIONS AND REPLICAS

Since the 1980s, many German firms have been making bears specifically aimed at collectors. These are either traditional (sometimes limited-edition designs) or replicas of their own or other firms' earlier lines. In 1992 Hermann-Spielwaren, for example, introduced a limited-edition replica of a teddy made in 1910 by the old Sonneberg firm, Leven. This commemorated the return of Leven to its rightful owners, Dora-Margot Hermann and her sister, after German reunification. Firms and also making bears to celebrate national and international events, such as Sigikid's 1993 United Europe bear.

Ireland: 1938-79

SUBSIDIZED TOY INDUSTRY AND TRADITIONAL STYLE BEARS

Irish manufacturers, such as Philip Sher's Hibernian Novelty Company in Dublin, had been making soft toys since the World War I period. In 1938, an Irish government department, the Gaeltacht Services Division (the Board of Gaeltarra Eireann from 1957), established a subsidized toy industry, operating three factories. (Gaeltarra Eireann means "Irish produce"). The toys were marketed from Dublin until 1969, when the head offices moved to County Galway. Because Ireland remained neutral during World War II, exports of Irish soft toys rose dramatically at this time to meet overseas demand.

Merrythought: 1982-92

COLLECTOR BEARS; REPLICAS AND SPECIAL COMMISSIONS

In 1982, Merrythought introduced a range of limited-edition teddies for import into the US by Tide-Rider Inc. of Baldwin, New York - a partnership that continues today. Novelties included a green/blue, traditional-style teddy bear and the 1984 Seasonal Bear series, in which each bear represented either Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter. In 1992, Merrythought introduced Mr and Miss Mischief, depicting naughty "children". By 1986-87, replicas of Punkinhead and the Magnet bear were in production followed, in 1992, by replicas of Mr Whoppit, Bingie, and Titanic survivor Gatti.

Dean's: 1980s-90s

COLLECTORS' SERIES; PLAINTALK TAKEOVER; NEW LABEL DESIGN

In 1981, Dean's launched into collectables with a limited-edition series of three bears inspired by Norman Rockwell illustrations. Aiming at the US market, the company also made a nightshirt-clad Porridge Bear, based on a 1909 illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith. In 1983, Dean's produced a limited-edition, 80th anniversary bear, and in 1984, it collaborated with Donna Harrison and Dottie Ayers of the Baltimore shop, The Calico Teddy, to make Teddy B and Teddy G to their design. In 1986, Dean's was taken over by the toy and gift importers Plaintalk, forming The Dean's Company (1903) Ltd.

France: post-1945

NEW COMPANIES PRODUCING CUDDLY, UNJOINTED BEARS

Some French companies founded before World War II, such as Pintel and A.L.F.A. (producing popular, dressed teddy bears from 1936), continued after 1945, but using synthetic materials. Several new companies were also established during the 1950s and 1960s, such as Anima (1947), Boulgom (1954), and Nounours (1963). They all used the new, foam-rubber filling that revolutionized the soft-toy industry. Though some manufacturers failed during the 1970s and 1980s, several were bought by Nounours who, by the 1990s, was responsible for 80 percent of all French soft-toy exports.

Europe: 1930s-80s

EASTERN EUROPE; MEDITERRANEAN; SCANDINAVIA; BENELUX

From the interwar years until its nationalization in 1948, Czechoslovakia had a thriving teddy-bear industry. In 1938, Hamiro was the second largest European soft-toy manufacturer and, from 1925 until 1948, Wilhelmine Walter made Kersa bears at Lobositz, then in Bohemia. Poland also was a major exporter of teddy bears from the 1950s. Lenci introduced teddies to Italy in 1931 (Three Bears, with open mouths and bibs); GZB made similar examples, and Trudi and Jocky have produced bears in more recent years. A few teddies originate from Spain, such as G. Fali's Osito, a c.1959 googly-eyed baby bear.

Worldwide Expansion: post-1945

EXPORT AND HOME-MARKET TRADE BY ISRAEL, CANADA, CHINA & SOUTH AFRICA

After World War II, teddy-bear manufacture was no longer restricted to Europe and the US. Many countries, including China, Israel and Brazil, began making cheap-quality bears largely for the export market to the UK, US, and Australia. Canada, too, established several soft-toy companies during the 1950s, such as Ganz Brothers and Mighty Star Ltd. who, by the 1990s, also produced a range of collectors' bears to meet the demand at home and abroad. In South Africa, teddy bears are manufactured primarily for the home market, such as those produced by Prima Toys' Durban-based factory.

Mass-market Collectables: 1980s-90s

MASS-PRODUCED, ARTIST-DESIGNED BEARS FOR COLLECTORS

The growth of arctophily prompted an alliance of bear artists and manufacturers to produce mass-market, limited-edition collectables. The US company Applause heralded this approach by introducing Robert Raikes' bears to its range in 1985. From 1987, the House of Nisbet in Britain reproduced the designs of well-known US artists, including Carol-Lynn Rössel Waugh, Beverly Port, Ted Menten, Dee Hockenberry, and April Whitcomb. By 1990, other companies in the UK, US, and Germany had followed suit. Limited editions could number as many as 10,000 when produced by major manufacturers.

A HISTORY OF VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE

Henri Abelé

Established in 1757, Henri Abelé is the third oldest champagne house still trading and one with an interesting history closely linked with innovations in champagne-making.

In 1834, Auguste Ruinart de Brimont, great-nephew of the founder, teamed up with Antoine Muller, former chef de caves at Veuve Clicquot, who had helped the Widow Clicquot develop the technique of remuage. Fifty years later, in 1884, dégorgement à la glace, the method of disgorging now used throughout the champagne industry, was invented in the Abelé cellars. In 1942, control of the firm passed to the Compagnie Française des Grands Vins, and in 1985 the firm was purchased by Freixenet, the giant producers of Cava sparkling wine. José Ferrer Sala, head of Freixenet, after tasting Henri Abelé champagne for the first time, refused to buy a bottle. Was he disappointed? Underwhelmed? Not a bit. Señor Ferrer so liked the wine that he decided to buy the company.

The style of the Abelé champagnes is reputedly dry, delicate and floral. That is certainly true of the non-vintage Cuvée Sourire de Reim, so named after the guardian angel of Reims Cathedral who grins at you from the label. It is an excellent, consistent wine, light gold in colour, with tiny bubbles, its flowery yet mellow character coming from an unusual composition for a non-vintage cuvée - up to 60 per cent Chardonnay, 30 per cent Pinot Meunier, and 10 per cent Pinot Noir - and a rather longer aging period in the bottle, I would guess, than the modest two to two-and-a-half years claimed for it by the house. The non-vintage Rosé Brut is a less subtle but flavoury wine; pink-coloured with a copper tinge, its zesty style may be due to the skin contact method used to partially colour the champagne; it finishes with a slightly caramelized note, however, that for me militates against finesse. The vintage wines are a bit uneven in quality. Predominantly Pinot Noir, the 1982 Grande Marque Impériale seems to be losing its fruit, tastes low in acidity and by the House's own admission is less successful than the 1976 and the 1975 vintages. The 1983 Grande Marque Impériale is better than the 1982, with crisper definition of flavour and a better fruit-to-acid balance. In a different league is the Blanc de Blancs Réserve du Repas, a wine made only in great years. The 1983 is a beauty, impeccably dry but with the mellow creamy perfection of flavour that comes from top-flight Chardonnay champagne which is allowed to mature properly for a decade.

Michel Arnould

Michel Arnould and his son Patrick are typical of Champagne growers whose grand cru grapes are much in demand for the blends of the grandes marques.

Arnould still grows for Bollinger, although he also now makes and markets his champagnes under the Arnould label from his 12 hectares/30 acres of superbly sited vineyards at Verzenay. Arnould champagnes are distinguished from other growers' monocrus by their breed, balance and creamy texture. Their wines are every bit as good as the non-vintage cuvées of the great houses and they always score very highly in blind tastings.
The Brut is a true Blanc de Noirs (100 per cent Pinot Noir) and a blend of wines from two vintages, aged for three years in the bottle, and ready to drink. It shows gorgeous creamy fruit, plenty of body, but is never over-extracted or heavy in flavour; it is very moreish and you invariably want a second, third and fourth glass - always the sign of a really good champagne for all occasions.

The Demi-Sec is identical in composition to the Brut, except it has a higher dosage and is obviously sweeter; try it with tarte tatin, the glorious French upside-down apple tart. Brut Réserve, definitely dry, is blended from two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay, the latter giving a "lift" and sharp definition to this top cuvée, its touch of austerity making it a wine for special-occasion fish dishes, such as roasted sea-bass with fennel.
An Arnould champagne would be a desert island wine of my choice, encouraging me to throw away the loaded revolver and wait for the sight of the rescue ship on the far horizon.

Ayala

Ayala vintage wines are discreet champagnes for those who like delicacy rather than power.

A famous champagne name in the past, Ayala is rather out of fashion these days. The firm was founded in 1860 by Edmond d'Ayala, the son of a Colombian diplomat, who married Gabrielle d'Albrecht, niece of the Vicomte de Mareuil. Part of Gabrielle's dowry was a Mareuil vineyard, rated at 99 per cent on the echelle des crus, which this independent grande marque house still owns.

Ayala champagnes are pale in colour, light-bodied and definitely dry. In my experience the non-vintage Brut is very variable in quality; one bottle sampled in London in November 1993 was green, lean and mean, a second tasted in France two months later was subtle and fine. The Brut Rosé (100 per cent Pinot Noir) is straightforward, soft and round, though its flavour tails off quickly in the mouth.

The vintage wines are in a different league. The 1985 is a real success in an outstanding year, the lingering taste of high-class Pinot Noir (70 per cent of the grape mix) making this a delicious wine and one to search out. The 1985 Blanc de Blancs does not lack class but it needs keeping until 1995 to soften its mouth-puckering acidity. The prestige Grande Cuvée, currently the 1985 soon to be joined by the 1988, is also a bit young to drink but it has a latent complexity of nutty Chardonnay-dominated flavours which will eventually blossom if you have the time, space and money to age this wine.

Barancourt

In the stratified champagne world of grandees and peasant farmers, Barancourt's is a rare modern tale of little guys becoming big shots.

In 1966 three Bouzy growers - Brice, Martin and Tritant - joined forces to make and market champagne, later resuscitating the famous name Barancourt for their brand. During the 1970s the partners bought grand cru vineyards, especially in Bouzy, Cramant, and in the Aube. They now grow all three champagne grapes in a domaine totaling nearly 100 hectares/247 acres. Much of their production, including all the Pinot Meunier, is sold to other houses, but wines on the Barancourt label are made from grand cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Barancourt style is difficult to pinpoint, since the range is wide. You could say these are champagne-makers' champagnes, with a firm strong character of the crus from which they come. They are anything but showy, need an awful lot of aging and maybe lack an easy charm.

The non-vintage Brut Réserve is a well-structured wine (80 per cent Pinot Noir) but with a yeasty character which subdues the fruit. The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs is light and well balanced, yet this is an austere, very young-tasting wine, its potential Chardonnay flavours only half realized in the glass (tasted January 1994). The non-vintage Brut Rosé is full-coloured and fruity and much better value than the expensive, rather heavy and autolytic 1985 Grand Cru Rosé. The vintage wines, currently the 1985s, are decent champagnes - the monocrus Bouzy and Cramant are worth trying - but they all need to age longer. The Barancourt Bouzy Rouge, a still Coteaux Champenois wine, can be delicious in great years like 1982 and 1985. The 1990 will be spectacular. Barancourt was sold to Vranken-Lafitte in 1994.

Beaumet

Founded at Pierry in 1878, Beaumet is now owned by Jacques Trouillard and operates from splendid premises in Epernay's beautiful Park Malakoff.

The company owns 80 hectares/198 acres of vineyards both on the Côte des Blancs and above the Marne, the jewels being the 30 hectares/74 acres of grand cru Chardonnay at Avize, Cramant and Chouilly. So it is not surprising that by far the best wine here is the Cuvée Malahoff Blanc de Blancs, which is aged for a minimum of seven years; both the 1982 and 1985 are first-rate 100 per cent Chardonnay champagnes, gold-green in colour, nutty and creamy, yet fine-drawn and long. Over-shadowed by the Malakoff, the others in the range are decent champagnes (usually with a significant percentage of Pinot Meunier) for those who like flavour rather than finesse. The non-vintage Brut makes easy drinking; the Rosé Brut is dark pink with a black grapes fruitiness; and both the vintage-dated Blanc de Noirsand the 1985 Brut are mouth-filling and mellow. Beaumet is a better known name in the USA and the UK than in France.

Beaumont Des Crayères

A champagne cooperative created in 1955, now with 200 member-growers. For quality and value for money, Beaumont des Crayères champagnes take a lot of beating.

Beaumont des Crayères is unusual in that the size of its average member's vineyard is just a 0.5 hectares or 1¼ acres. This smallness of scale allows for a very strict control over the maturity of the grapes, which are then vinified with meticulous care in a modern winery by Jean-Paul Bertus, one of the best chefs de caves in Champagne.

The finesse and vivid flavours of Beaumont's champagnes have won press plaudits, notably from the authoritative Guide Hachette in France and the influential Wine Spectator in North America. The non-vintage Cuvée Réserve Brut is made largely from Pinot Meunier (50 per cent) which explains its lovely fruity aroma tinged with the scent of wild mushrooms; the palate is supple and mouth-filling, the finish long and persistent - and exciting champagne for a very reasonable price. Cuvée Rosé Privilege, again predominantly Pinot Meunier, has spicy fruit, though to my taste it is a little foursquare and obvious. Cuvée Rosé Privilege, made from roughly equal parts of the three classic champagne grapes, is a powerful wine with enough flavour to match roast guinea fowl. Cuvée Spéciale Nostalgie Millésimé 1985 (shortly to be replaced by the 1987) is a pure Chardonnay champagne, its incisive acidity and mineral flavour reflecting the chalky soil from which it came.

Albert Beerens

A small Aube grower, Beerens cultivates a vineyard of 6 Hectares/15 acres, planted with 80 per cent Pinot Noir, about 20 per cent Chardonnay and no Pinot Meunier.

Beerens makes just two champagnes for the export market. The very consistent Brut has a vibrant straw-gold colour, a lively yet subtle mousse and a round balanced flavour that comes from three or four years ageing before sale. The Brut Rosé is excellent. Salmon-pink in colour, racy, with a beautifully pure definition of fruit flavours, it is made with a good proportion of Chardonnay to which about 7 per cent still red Champenois wine is added. An unbeatable partner for a simply grilled lobster if you are in the mood for champagne. The exceptional quality of these wines comes from the company's low-yielding vines.

Paul Berthelot

This serious little champagne house, established for 100 years, uses 95 per cent of its own grapes from its vineyards around Ay.

The two brothers who run the firm are reluctant to give hard information about themselves, hence the shortness of this entry. However, the Brut Réserve is an excellent on-vintage champagne which knocks spots off many widely publicized brands: shimmering straw-gold, tiny bubbles and a creamy long flavour which suggest a lot of high-class Pinot Noir grapes in the blend. Other offerings include a fruity, well-balanced Rosé Brut and the prestige Cuvée du Centenaire 1983 (not tasted). Berthelot champagnes have found a niche in the cost-conscious UK market - no surprise, for they show an interesting ratio of quality to price.

Billecart Salmon

This small family-run grande marquee house, founded in 1818, is now one of the most innovative in wine-making techniques.

The house was founded by Nicolas-François Billecart, who had married a Mlle Salmon. Billecart quickly opened up markets around the world for his wines, but in 1830 disaster struck when an incompetent US agent, Mr Meyer of New York, lost the firm 100,000 gold francs. The family went into a commercial sleep for nearly 100 years, until 1926, when Charles Roland-Billecart put the firm's affairs on a sound commercial basis by selling the family vineyards to finance the increased champagne sales he had achieved since the end of the First World War. His grandson, François Roland-Billecart, now effectively runs the company, quietly expanding turnover year by year without compromising its very high reputation for quality.

Billecart looks for finesse as a house style, yet the delicacy of these champagnes is deceptive for they also have exceptional ageing potential. This is achieved, say the Billecarts, by a special fermentation technique. After the first clarification process (débourage), a second one is induced by chilling the must down to about 5°C/41°F, which acts as a filtration and eliminates most of the natural yeasts. The temperature is then raised to about 12-15°C/52-59°F, and fermentation proceeds slowly for about 21 days. Oxidation of the must is entirely avoided. As proof that these champagnes do indeed live long distinguished lives, a 1959 Billecart was still vigorously alive in 1991.

The outstanding non-vintage Brut, based on Pinot Noir, has a round tasty style; the vintage Blanc des Blancs (excellent year 1985), made from prime Chardonnay grapes from Cramant, Avize and Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger, is especially fine and subtle; so is the Brut Rosé, its pale salmon colour explained by the addition of a smaller amount of red wine than usual. The Prestige Cuvée Columbus made from a blend of 1986, 1985 and 1979 vintages is magnificent.

Henri Billiot

Henri Billiot makes a tiny amount of superlative champagne from his 2 hectares/5 acres of grand cru Pinot Noir vines at Ambonnay.

The Cuvée de Réserve has a depth of flavour and sinewy power that stopped me in my tracks when I tasted it in December 1993. The Cuvée Réserve Rosé is stunning quality too; close your eyes and you might be drinking great burgundy with bubbles. The wines are on strict allocation, the lion's share of which goes to Bibendum Wine Ltd of London.

H Blin & Co

For decent no-frills champagne, better in blind tastings than some also-ran grandes marques, this is a label to remember.

"H Blin & Co" is the brand label of a Marne Valley co-operative established at Vincelles in 1947. Its members cultivate 90 hectares/222 acres of mainly Pinot Meunier grapes which are pressed in an ultra-modern winery. The Brut Tradition is made entrirely from black grapes (80 per cent Pinot Meunier) and is a round fruity champagne with mocha-like aromas. Pinot Meunier drives the head red fruit flavours of the Rosé.

Boizel

The only woman who currently heads a champagne house is Evelyn Roques-Boizel, who took charge of this family-owned company in 1984.

The champagne trade is notable for resourceful women who have led some of the most famous houses. Evelyn Roques-Boizel continues that tradition. She became head of Boizel 150 years after it was founded by Auguste Boizel, her great-grandfather, and immediately invested in a new cuverie on Epernay's rue de Bernon. In the last 10 years she has more than doubled annual production to 1 million bottles. Boizel owns no vines, but buys in grapes from growers in 51 villages.

Boizel champagnes are briskly effervescent and clean-tasting; they sell for sensible prices, but lack the class and complexity of those from the best houses. Brut Réserve (non-vintage), dominated by Pinot Noir (55 per cent), is a simple fruity wine; it is hard to believe, however, that it has much bottle age, for its aroma is green and reminiscent of apples. Brut Rosé is a much better wine, limpid pale pink with an invigorating racy flavour; it won the "Coup de Coeur" in the 1989 Guide Hachette. Brut de Blancs (not tasted) was relaunched in 1984 to celebrate the firm's 150th anniversary; its label, a reproduction of a Second Empire one, is a collector's item. Grand Vintage 1986 is good fizz, lemon-gold in colour, refined yet vigorous.

Bollinger

Bollinger is one of the greats of champagne, a true grande marque with a very proud tradition dating back to the 15th century, when the de Villermont family first acquired vineyards in Cuis, on the Côte Blancs.

Its attachment to the land has stood Bollinger in good stead over the past five centuries and is particularly important today. The firm owns 140 hectares/346 acres of vineyards, mainly in prime sites around Ay on the Montagne de Reims, and these supply 70 per cent of its needs, allowing Bollinger to ensure an enviable continuity of style and quality.

The house was founded in 1829 by Joseph Bollinger, a native of Württemberg, Germany, and Paul Renaudin, a Champenois. Renaudin soon left the firm, but his name remained on the label until the 1960s. Joseph Bollinger married a de Villermont, continued to expand the business and in 1865 was one of the first merchants ship champagne to England. This was an extremely dry champagne of low dosage in contrast to most other houses' champagnes, which were then sweet. Bollinger became the favourite champagne of the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. In 1870 Joseph Bollinger exported his first shipment to the USA, where later the brand was widely distributed by Julius Wile, the great New York wine merchant, from just before Prohibition until 1988.

During the Second World War, the direction of the firm passed to the remarkable Madame Lily Bollinger on the death of her husband Jacques, grandson of Joseph. She faced three years' occupation by Germans. With no gasoline available, she toured the family vineyards on foot and bicycle. Despite a totally depleted labour force, she continued to produce and sell champagne, and with one remaining servant, slept in the Bollinger cellars during Allied bombardments, including the American raid of 10 August, 1944, which destroyed one-third of Ay. After the war, she acquired prime vineyards in Ay, Grauves, Bisseuil and Champvoisy, bringing Bollinger's holdings to their current extent. Until well into her 70s, "Tante Lily", as she was known to her family, was a familiar sight in her tweeds, bicycling through the vineyards. Over nearly 40 years, she doubled Bollinger's sales to 1 million bottles a year.

On the death of Mme Bollinger in 1977, her nephew Christian Bizot became President of the company. Bizot is a clear-headed and articulate man who combines commitment to the quality of Bollinger champagne with an unsentimental awareness of the confused consumer perception of champagne in the international marketplace of the 1990s.
Acutely conscious of the severe criticisms of the quality of champagne at a time of increasing competition from quality sparkling wines, Bizot responded in 1991 by publishing the Bollinger Charter of Ethics and Quality. The Charter chronicles in meticulous detail the company's wine-growing and wine-making practices.

The most important of these is Bollinger's use of grapes of the highest quality. Of the firm's vineyards, 60 per cent are classified as grand cru and 30 per cent as premier cru. Bollinger keeps only the juice from the first pressings (the cuvee) and sells that from the second pressings to companies whose business is cheap champagne. The high quality of the must allows Bollinger to ferment its vintage wines in wooden casks. This gives the wines an inimitable robust style unlike those that have been fermented in stainless steel. Bollinger insists that a great champagne needs time on its lees (the by-product of fermentation) to develop personality and complexity. Non-vintage champagnes are aged for a minimum of three years (the legal minimum is 12 months), vintage wines for five and de-luxe vintage cuvées for eight.

The Special Cuvée (60 per cent Pinot Noir, 25 per cent Chardonnay and 15 per cent Pinot Meunier) is a non-vintage wine which is fermented in stainless steel to control the malolatic fermentation, a process which makes wine softer and rounder. Special Cuvée is a full-bodied, firm and dry champagne with great Pinot Noir fruit and length of flavour on the palate; it is the sort of weighty fizz you only want a glass or two of before dinner.
The 1985 Grande Année (62 per cent Pinot Noir, 35 per cent Chardonnay, 3 per cent Pinot Meunier) has a fine mousse of tiny bubbles, a deep flavour of grand cru Pinot Noir (tempered with the finesse of a higher proportion of Chardonnay) and incredible length on the palate. It will improve until 1998-2000. The 1982 Année Rare RD (recently disgorged) is left on its lees for three years more than Grand Année for a more developed style. The 1982 has a lovely smell of ripe, red fruits but a complex vinous (rather than fruity) flavour that lingers.
Bollinger champagnes come into their own with food.

Bricout

Founded in 1820 and known until recently as Bricout & Koch, this house produces wines correctly made from mainly Chardonnay grapes in a clean, modern style.

In 1820 Charles Koch, a young German from Heidelberg, went into the champagne business in Avize. His sons became partners of Arthur Bricout, a former wine maker for de Venoge, who in the 1870s merged the two family firms.

These champagnes were first popular in Germany, but since 1979 and a big injection of cash from the Racke group, their customer base has been widened, especially to the restaurant trade in France. The wines are now labeled Bricout.

You have to pick and choose to find the best cuvées. The big-selling Carte Noir Brut is lively, fruity but young-tasting. The Carte d'Or Brut Prestige has much more class, with a predominant taste of ripe Chardonnay and a smooth mature finish. The 1985 Élégance de Bricout is everything its name implies, elegant lemony colour, elegant fine-drawn flavour and a flick of acidity to ensure it will improve in a bottle for several years. The non-vintage Rosé Brut (80 per cent Chardonnay) is very light in colour and its taut dry style may not be to everyone's taste. The Brut Millésimé 1985 is one Bricout wine with a lot of Pinot Noir (60 per cent), and although quite rich and round is not as exciting as the Chardonnay-based wines from this house.

Canard-Duchêne

A big producer of inexpensive champagnes with regular annual sales of 3 million bottles.

Canard-Duchêne, founded in 1868, is now overshadowed by Veuve Clicquot, which bought the company in 1978. The firm is nonetheless a major supplier of champagne to the French market. The standard Brut is not recommended; tasted twice in November 1993 and February 1994, this wine had a suspiciously deep tinted colour and a coarse flavour on each occasion. The vintage wines, by contrast, are perfectly decent, though they are made in very small quantities. The Patrimoine 1988 has a pleasantly yeasty nose and is well balanced on the palate while the prestige Cuvée Charles VII is rich and voluptuous. More work please on the standard Brut, which as the flagship brand of a grande marque house is an embarrassment on current showing.

A Charbaut

Charbaut is a quality operation at all stages of champagne-making and a champagne house to watch.

This family firm was established in 1948, and is now run by René and Guy Charbaut, with Guy's son-in-law, Jean-Pierre Abiven. The company has seen a strong expansion in recent years. Today the family owns 58 hectares/144 acres of premier cru and grand cru vineyards, classified between 95 and 100 per cent on the echelle des crus. The company also has an option to buy land in upstate New York, the long-term aim being to produce an American sparkling wine in a cold climate similar to that of Champagne.

The non-vintage Brut Réserve is made from a rigorous selection of wines from the Charbaut vineyards and is a blend of one-third Chardonnay and two-thirds Pinot Noir. A complex, elegant, yet deep-flavoured champagne, its very distinctive style, particularly apparent in its winey aroma, comes from ageing on the lees for four years before being disgorged. The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs is exceptional: delicate mousse and an exquisite smell and taste that is both refined and full of character. The 1985 Certificate Blanc de Blancs is a memorable rich and mellow wine made with the best ripe Chardonnay grapes in an outstanding year for Blanc de Blancs champagne. The Vintage 1985 Cuvée, on the couple of occasions I have drunk it, seemed closed and withdrawn (last tasted in December 1993) and probably should not be consumed before 1995.

Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin

The fabled Nicole-Barbe Clicquot (née Ponsardin) was the most gifted of the champagne widows. On the death of her adored husband in 1806, this determined woman, aged just 27, buried her grief by relaunching the family firm as Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin.

Turning her back on the cost-concious French and British merchants, Mme Clicquot sought new customers for her champagnes in eastern Europe. She dispatched Heinrich Bohne, a brilliant salesman, to St Petersburg, and in 1814 penetrated an Allied blockade to ship her 1811 vintage to the Russian court. Russia became a prime market in which Clicquot was to dominate for the next 50 years. The widow was a great spotter of talent. Her chef de caves, Antoine Muller, perfected the technique of remuage in 1818, and Edouard Werlé, her business manager, saved her from pressing creditors by hocking his own assets when her firm's Paris bankers went into liquidation in 1828. The grateful Mme Clicquot made Werlé a partner in the business, and it was he who established the brand on world markets. By the time of the widow's death at 89 in 1866, annual sales had reached 3 million bottles. The firm was also ably run for 50 years by Comte Bertrand de Mun, a descendant of Werlé. Since the late 1970s, Clicquot has entered the impersonal world of acquisitions and mergers, gaining control of Canard-Duchêne champagne and merging with Joseph Henriot. The company is now part of the Louis Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy (LVMH) conglomerate.

Veuve Clicquot owns one of the largest vineyards in Champagne, some 285 hectares/704 acres. This beautiful estate was essentially the work of the widow Clicquot and says a lot about her shrewdness. For it is very evenly spread across the classic wine-growing districts and comprises a large number of grands crus such as Avize, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil on the Côte des Blancs, and Ambonnay, Verzenay and Bouzy on the Montague de Reims. Yet these vineyards account for just one-third of the company's needs. Like most great houses with rock-solid reputations, Clicquot is an important buyer of Pinot Meunier grapes for its non-vinatge cuvees.

Wine-making at Clicquot is thoroughly modern and all the wines are fermented in stainless steel vats of varying capacities depending on the provenance of the musts. No wood has been used since 1961. The style of the wines has changed in recent years, in my view for the better; although still deep-flavoured and dominated by black grapes, they are fresher, less oxidized than they used to be, with an emphasis on pure fruit definition. This has not been achieved at the expense of complexity, for an admirably high percentage of reserve wine is used in the blends, and the finished champagnes are given plenty of bottle age before sale. Joseph Henriot, head of Clicquot until 1994, and Jacques Peters, his meticulous technical director, can take the lion's share of credit for this, though their decisions are always checked by a tasting committee of directors and managers.
The non-vintage Brut with its unmistakable yellow label is currently right back on form. Its ripe red fruits and spice flavour shaped by the dominant Pinot Noir (56 per cent), a good touch of Pinot Meunier (about 16 per cent) and plenty of reserve wines; yet it is fresh and crisp, Chardonnay (28 per cent) being the tempering hand. The Gold label vintage Réserve Brut 1985 got my top mark at a tasting of grande marque champagnes from that great year organized by the Institute of British Masters of Wine in 1993; luscious yet lithe with a beautiful hazelnut bouquet. The prestige cuvée La Grande Dame is almost always among the best three or four luxury champagnes on the market; the 1985 is a masterpiece of mellow mouth enveloping richness and faultless balance. The vintage-dated Rosé has its fans, though I am not among them.

André Clouet

Clouet champagnes reflect the special character of their exceptionally sited Pinot Noir vineyards, all rated at 100 per cent on the cru echelle.

Their 9-hectare/22-acres estate on the best middle-slopes of Bouzy and Ambonnay is run by Pierre and Françoise Santz-Clouet, a hardworking and open-minded couple. The house's ornate ancient regime labels are no doubt a nostalgic tribute to the founder of the estate, a printer to the royal court at Versailles during the reign of Louis XV.

André Clouet Grand Cru Brut Réserve is a big rich Pinot Noir champagne with a vinosity typical of Bouzy. Made from a selection of the first pressings of the grapes (tête de cuvée), this wine is matured for a long time on the lees before being disgorged, which accounts for its complexity and long persistent finish. The Grand Cru Rosé is a typical grower's wine in the best sense. Of rich heather-like colour, the primary aromas of Pinot Noir soar out of the glass; the bubbles are lively but the balance of fruit and flavour in the mouth is excellent. The 1989 Vintage Grand Cru Brut is an impressive effort in a very ripe year. The flavour is round and mouth-filling, not clumsy or overblown, thanks to good acidity.

Bouzy is famous for its red still wine made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir. But to show at its best it needs a sunny year. The 1988 vintage was one such year and the Clouets' example is first-rate: the colour is a vivid ruby, the nose redolent of raspberries, the flavour succulent yet elegant. It is also a versatile wine with food, good with pasta dishes, grilled fish or cheese.

De Castellane

Founded in 1895 by a Provençal nobleman, de Castellane has a grand past symbolized by its bizarre crenellated tower which dominates the drab skyline of Epernay.

Until the mid-1980s, the firm was one of the few to ferment a high percentage of its wines in large oak casks. Laurent-Perrier now has a controlling interest in the company, modern methods are being introduced, and the wines are rather lighter than they used to be.

Respected critics such as Robert Parker rate these champagnes highly, which puzzles me as I find them a very mixed bag. The Pinot Noir - and Meunier - dominated non-vintage Brut Croix Rouge de Saint André, which accounts for 70 per cent of the firm's sales, is not overpriced but often tastes coarse and green with a higher than average dosage. The Rosé Brut is also nothing to get excited about. The Vintage Brut 1986 is a decent wine with fine small bubbles and a round mature taste. The Cuvée Royale Chardonnay, made from Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger grapes, is subtle, delicate and ripe; while the vintage-dated Cuvée Commodore is produced by very traditional methods, including the use of a clamped cork rather than a crown cap to stopper the wine during its second fermentation in bottle: the aroma of the 1986 is nutty and honeyed, the flavour expansive and mouth-filling with a note of exotic fruits. The 1982 Cuvée Florens de Castellane is a 100 per cent Chardonnay champagne at the peak of its maturity.

Charles de Cazanove

Founded at Avize in 1811 by Charles de Cazanove, this firm has seen a revival since the Lombard family bought it form Moët-Hennessey in 1985.

A lot of money has been invested in modern equipment, and the house style here is for full, fruity champagnes with no hint of austerity. Pinot Noir dominates the Brut Classique, a full-bodied wine with lively bubbles and lots of primary red fruit flavour; the Vintage Brut 1985 is in the same mould, though as you would expect, the extra age and better-class grapes (mostly Pinot Noir) make it more concentrated and long-flavoured. The Brut Azur puts the Chardonnay in the driving seat. It has a surprisingly deep evolved colour on the one occasion I tasted it (January 1994) and the bubbles died quickly, so perhaps it was a dud bottle. The Brut Rosé, deep salmon-pink, is vibrantly fruity in the de Cazanove style. The prestige Stradivarius, Tête de Cuvée, Brut 1985 (not tasted) is made from 70 per cent Chardonnay and 30 per cent Pinot Noir.

Guy de Chassey

Guy de Chassey ran this very small firm until his death in June 1993. His daughters Marie-Odile and Monique carry the torch of quality.

The De Chassey sisters produce an excellent full bodied champagne from their own fruit, buying none in. The predominant Pinot Noir blend is based on 100 per cent rated grapes grown in their grand cru vineyards at Louvois. The Grand Cru Brut is usually the product of a single vintage with some reserve wines occasionally added. They sometimes make wines which they label as vintage. These are generally later disgorged than the so-called "non-vintage" blends.

De Venoge

Founded in 1837, de Venoge is housed in very grand premises on Epernay's Avenue de Champagne. By contrast, the wines have a reputation for being decent and workmanlike.

During the early 1980s, de Venoge became the plaything of the big groups and its stocks were seriously depleted. Since the arrival of the Thierry Mantoux, an innovative marketeer, and managing director since 1986, quality has steadily improved. These are now handsomely packaged, easy-to-drink champagnes in an upfront fruity style of real street appeal. While de Venoge only occasionally scales the heights of excellence, there are no bad bottles from this source.

The Cordon Bleu Brut is a straightforward champagne, full of primary Pinot Noir fruit, though it is not truly dry (perhaps because of a higher than average dosage). The Blanc de Noir (100 per cent Pinot Noir) is a flattering, undemanding wine, but a little light considering its composition. The Vintage Brut 1986 has a full, evolved, mature flavour and some complexity; again it seems quite highly dosed. Easily the best champagnes here are the various Blancs de Blancs, especially the vintage-dated 1983 which is mellow and ripe yet vigorously alive. I have not tasted the Champagne des Princes Blanc de Blancs 1985 which is highly regarded by the Guide Hachette and described as "rich, fresh, lightly smoked, very fruity, as ample as it is long." The princess Rosé is an innovative wine, the palest shade of pink, made from Chardonnay grapes.

Delamotte

The sixth oldest champagne house, founded in 1760, Delamotte is based in a fine 18th-century property at Le Mesnil-sur-Oger on the Côte des Blancs.

Long associated with Lanson, this little firm with a big reputation among connoisseurs has been owned since 1948 by the de Nonancourt family of Laurent Perrier. Delamotte has 5 hecatres/12 acres of grand cru Chardonnay at Le Mesnil. This vineyard produces only about one-fifth of the company's needs, but it firmly acts as a benchmark for nearly all the champagnes in the range, which are Chardonnay-influenced, fine, fresh and long-lived. In 1989. Laurent-Perrier bought Salon, an even smaller house than Delamotte, but one which produces the greatest of all Blanc de Blancs. Delamotte and Salon - immediate neighbours in Le Mesnil - are managed by Bertrand de Fleurian.

The non-vintage Brut (half Chardonnay, half black grapes) has very fine bubbles, a touch of apricot on the nose, and a very fresh yet rounded flavour. The Brut Rosé is the only wine made from pure Pinot Noir (100 per cent); its flavour is redolent of raspberries. The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs, pale in colour, is very dry, brisk and racy but with a flattering richness on the after-taste. The Blanc de Blancs is a big, powerful wine with a scent of peaches, very deep-flavoured and still young-tasting; it should be kept until at least 1995 before pulling the cork. The top-of-the-range Nicolas Louis Delamotte is officially a non-vintage wine, although it mostly comes from the 1982 harvest - a textbook example of ripe but still fresh Blanc de Blancs which has at least another 10 years of life ahead of it.

Delbeck

Frederick Delbeck founded this house in 1832. It still produces a top-flight champagne in a generous, fruity, supple yet complex style.

Frederick Delbeck quickly joined the 19th-century champagne establishment by marrying Balsamie Ponsardin, niece of the great widow Clicquot. In 1838, Delbeck was chosen as the champagne of the Royal Bourbon Court of France: King Louis-Philippe described it as the most exquisite sparkling wine he had ever drunk. The marquee disappeared from sale for 30 years from the early 1960s. In 1993, the firm was bought by Marquis François D'Aulan who wanted to return to the champangne trade, having sold his interests in Piper-Heidsieck to the Rémy Martin group four years earlier.

Key quality factors in Delbeck champagnes are the house's ownership of 4.2 hectares/10.6 acres of grand cru vineyards in Verzenay on the Montagne de Reims, and reserve stocks of wine representing over six years of annual sales. Continuity of expertise has been assured by retaining the consultant services of Jacques Gauthier, chef de caves at Delbeck for 40 years.

Brut Héritage (non vintage) is composed of 70 per cent Pinot Noir and 30 per cent Chardonnay with up to 20 per cent reserve wines. It is a beautifully blended champagne, strongly fruity but supple, body and finesse in textbook balance, and with a clean durable finish. Brut Héritage Rosé, predominantly Pinot Noir, of which 20 per cent is traditionally vinified on the grape skins, has a pastel-pink colour and speaks refinement. Brut Vintage 1985 (65 per cent Pinot Noir, 35 per cent Chardonnay) is a sleeping giant, a potentially magnificent wine with terrific depth of flavour and life-giving acidity. It should be kept until a least 1995 and will provide superb drinking in 2000.

Deutz

Deutz wines, like the Deutz family, are restrained, subtle and understated.

Like many grandes marques, this house was founded by young entrepreneurs of German origin who moved west to seek their fortune in Champagne. William Deutz and Pierre Geldermann, both natives of Aachen, established a champagne business at Ay in 1838. Deutz, who had previously worked for Bollinger, brought expertise to the partnership, Geldermann brought the capital.

The firm's cellars were badly damaged during the Champagne riots of 1911. this scarring experience for his predecessors may have driven André Lallier-Deutz, the current head of the company, to diversify his wine interests 70 years later during the boom time of the 1980s. Among his acquisitions at this time were the Rhône shippers Delas Frères and sparkling-wine companies in California and New Zealand. But with the severe recession that affected the champagne industry in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War, Deutz's worldwide operations began to look overextended, and in 1993 Louis Roederer bought a 63 per cent stake in the company.

Despite its broad international outlook, Deutz is one of the more discreet grandes marques and is certainly not a firm which likes to sponsor motor races where the winners shower their rivals with precious champagne. However, in recent tastings, the non-vintage Brut has seemed below par, with and aggressive acidity that makes one ask how long this cuvée has aged in the bottle. The vintage wines are another matter. The 1988 Blanc de Blancs, made from the best grapes from the grand crus of the Côte des Blancs, is a wonderful champagne, light, exquisitely elegant but with a profundity of flavours which will intensify until the year 2000. The 1988 Brut has complex near-Burgundian aromas shaped by 60 per cent Pinot Noir in the blend, and is long and persistent on the palate. The 1988 Rosé (100 per cent Pinot Noir) is very fruity and powerful, a wine for richly flavoured shellfish like crab, and , best of all, coulibiac of salmon. The prestige Cuvée William Deutz, made only in great years like 1982 and 1985, is an impressive wine for sure but, like many prestige cuvees, is not worth the extra price over, say, the superb Blanc de Blancs. An unusual addition to the range is Deutz's non-vintage Kosher Brut.

Devaux

Everything about this immaculate operation inspires confidence, as modern techniques are allied to traditional principles of classic champagne-making.

Veuve Devaux is the flagship brand of the Union Auboise based in unfashionable Bar-sur-Seine, 113 kilometres/70 miles southeast of Epernay. This first-rate Aube cooperative is currently producing excellent champagnes which in blind tastings more than hold their own in competition with counterparts from the Marne. The Union is a powerful grouping of 750 member-growers farming 1,300 hectares/3,212 acres of exclusively Aubois vineyards, planted with 85 per cent Pinot Noir, 12 per cent Chardonnay and just 3 per cent Pinot Meunier. About one-third of production is exported, mainly to the UK, and there is a burgeoning market in the USA, for these wines are exceptional value for money.

Crucially, all the Devaux cuvée are properly aged in the bottle before sale. Grande Réserve Brut, aged for three years, is a blend of 50 different crus; green-gold in colour, it is a model standard wine, a restrained note of yeasty complexity in text-book balance with fresh fruit flavours and crisp acidity. Cuvée Millésimée, Currently the 1988, is atypically a Chardonnay-influenced wine and racier than most from the Aube. Cuvée Rosé, pink with orange tints, is full of primary peachy fruit, while the 1985 Cuvée Spéciale Rosé is subtly vinous but lively. The top-of-the-range 1985 Cuvée Spéciale Brut, a classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is equal parts, will go on improving for some years yet. The Union Auboise also vinify the rare and expensive still Rosé des Riceys, something of a curiosity. Its bitter-sweet mandarin flavour should not be missed by wine-lovers in search of a new experience, though bottles are hard to find as production is tiny.

Drappier

Vignerons at Urville since the time of Napoleon, the Drappiers are now one of the leading grower-merchants of the Aube.

Drappier champagnes are highly distinctive and hedonistic with a red fruits flavour that comes from ripe Pinot Noir grapes grown on the rich Aubois soils. Generosity of flavour rather than austere finesse is the Drappier style. It certainly appealed to General de Gaulle, who was a regular customer while he was living in retirement at nearby Colombey-les-Deux Eglises. In the 1990s the Drappiers have built important new markets for their wines in the UK and Japan.

The heart of this close-knit family business is the Urville domaine, housing 12th-century cellars and vineyards which now extend to 35 hectares/86 acres, mainly planted with Pinot Noir. Young Michel Drappier, a Dijon-trained oenologist, runs the whole business with immaculate care and quiet flair. His dark film-star good looks belie a terrific capacity for hard work, and his is one of the most open-minded and informative of wine-makers. The winery is modern and pristine, but the champagnes produced are not just technically correct, they have real personality.

The non-vintage Carte Blanche is made from 90 per cent Pinot Noir and 10 per cent Pinot Meunier, the latter giving a spicy note to this rounded supple champagne. The 1988 Carte d'Or, like all Drappier vintage wines, carries the date of dégorgement on the label. Tasted in January 1994, ten months after being disgorged, the 1988 showed a lot of promise with that acidity. The signature Blanc de Blancs, by contrast, seems to me to be the least interesting of the wines from the Drappiers, who are after all, Pinot Noir specialists. No doubts, though, about the Grande Sendrée prestige cuvée which in years like 1983 and 1985 is a magnificent sensuous mouthful, still predominantly Pinot Noir but also with a good amount of Chardonnay (45 per cent). The recently released Grande Sendrée 1988 needs to be kept until 1996 before pulling the cork. The pink Val des Desmoiselles is one of the few rosé champagnes still made by the saignée method, in which the wine is tinted pink by putting the black Pinot Noir grape skins in contact with the juice for a couple of days prior to fermentation. Rose-petal pink in colour, this lovely wine is yet another celebration of the seductive charms of Aubois Pinot Noir.

Daniel Dumont

Daniel Dumont is one of the most interesting producers on the Montagne de Reims, for as a nurseryman, working with his two sons, Daniel raised over 200,000 vines every year for sale to other producers.

His knowledge of the clones and varieties of vines allows Daniel Dumont to select the best for his own wine production. As a result, his grapes are extremely healthy and his champagnes exceptionally pure-flavoured.
It shows in the glass. At a tasting at Les Saveurs restaurant in London in January 1994, his Cuvée d'Excellence 1986 was the star of a line-up that included several grande marques. Made from a classic blend of premier cru grapes (Chardonnay predominating), this wine had everything: silky texture, mouth-filling richness, superb balancing acidity; no trace of bitterness. The Cuvée de Réserve 1988 is a more forward wine of primary fruit flavours, a proportion of the grapes coming from the smaller holdings in the Coteaux des Sézannais and the Vallée de la Marne. The Grande Réserve Rosé is one of the few pink champagnes still made by the traditional method: the grape skins remain in contact with the juice for 24 hours or so, to tint the wine naturally to the desired colour. It is a great food wine, its exuberant red fruits flavours of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier giving it enough character to match dishes as different as Szechwan pork, blanquette de veau or salmon in any guise. Daniel also makes a honey-and-almond flavoured Demi-Sec that is a more exciting partner for Christmas cake than a cup of tea.

Nicolas Feuillatte

This brand was created in the early 1970s by Nicolas Feuillatte, a globe-trotting entrepreneur who has always seemed as much at home in the penthouses of Manhattan as on the vineyard slopes of Champagne.

At the age of 21, Feuillatte moved to New York where he made his fortune, originally in the coffee trade. In 1970 he sold up and took a year's sabbatical in Sydney. Shortly afterwards he inherited a 12 hectare/30 acre vineyard in Bouleuse which with an eye for self-promotion he called Domaine St Nicolas.

Feuillatte became a major player in the champagne trade in 1976 when he joined forces with the Centre Vinicole de la Champagne. The CVC, based at Chouilly in the Côte des Blancs, is a vast cooperative-conglomerate whose 4,000 member-growers bring the juice of their 1,600 hectares/3,953 acres of vines to the company for vinification. These vignerons claim to make about 5 per cent of the total production of champagne. What is certain is that in terms of the quality and variety of the crus available to him, Feuillatte has excellent grapes to call on, from the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. Feuillatte's philosophy of champagne is that "it is a natural part of life." Initially sceptical both of this "Madison Avenue" phrase and of the claims of the brand to the making of wines of high quality - the CVC now produces 13 million bottles of champagne annually - I was subsequently impressed by the best of the Feuillatte range at a tasting at Les Saveurs Restaurant, London in December 1993.

These champagnes have an immediacy of appeal which combines a lively mousse, direct fruit and clean acidity. The Brut Premier Cru is an excellent and flattering non-vintage wine: the bubbles, foaming to the eye and creamy to the palate, are a delight; there is a distinctive whiff of orange and mandarin, and the taste is rich but invigorating. The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs seems to need much more bottle age, having the raw edge of young Chardonnay, and the Rosé is frankly disappointing with its orange tint and rather cosmetic flavour. The 1983 Cuvée Spéciale Palmes d'Or shows the complexity of its classic blend (40 per cent Pinot Noir, 40 per cent Chardonnay, 20 per cent Pinot Meunier) allied to a clear definition of fruit flavours and the glorious vinosity of a fully mature champagne from a great year. This superb wine (worth three stars) is better and cheaper than the top-of-the-range Cuvée Prestige.

George Gardet

A small family business established in 1890 and now based in a modern winery at Chigny-les-Roses, George Gardet buys in mainly 100-per-cent rated grapes from the Montagne de Reims.

The Gardet family employs very traditional wine-making methods, with all the champagnes marked with the year of disgorging. The wines are aged for a very long time in the bottle. The vintage champagnes are of an exceptional quality, showing complex, tertiary, almost "animal" aromas and flavours. The 1983 has an impressive vinosity which always shows well in blind tastings. The Rosé Brut (100 per cent Pinot Noir) is made by skin contact. Personally, I find it has almost too much flavour for its own good, mais á chacun son gout. Gardet champagnes are also sold under a second name, Boucheron. The quality is just as good.

Gatinois

Champagne production in Ay, famous for its grand cru Pinot Noir grapes, is dominated by great houses like Bollinger, and there are now only 12 small growers in the commune making and marketing their own champagnes.

One of the best small growers in Ay is Pierre Cheval-Gatinois, who looks more like a technocrat than a vigneron. Pierre was born in the vineless neighbouring Ardennes but came to Champagne as a young man, fell in love with Ay and married a local girl whose family had been champagne growers here since 1696.
He now farms his 7 hectares/17 acre vineyard, all classed as grand cru, of which 90 per cent is Pinot Noir grown on the uplands, but with 10 per cent Chardonnay planted on more chalky soil at the bottom of the slopes. His champagnes are deeply coloured and generously flavoured, their essential red fruits taste being that of great Pinot Noir made in tiny quantities from old vines. In exceptional years like 1989 and 1990 he makes an excellent still red wine (100 per cent Pinot Noir) which is fermented and aged in newish small oak barrels.
The non-vintage Gatinois Grand Cru, Ay, Tradition Brut, though officially a white champagne, has a perceptible pinkish tinge and an assertive yet round fruitiness which is the result of the intricate blending of wines from 29 lieu-dits (named vineyard sites) in the Gatinois vineyards and three years' ageing before release. A big wine for food, especially slow-cooked poultry with a cream sauce is Gatinois Réserve, a blend of the 1987 and 1988 vintages. It is more vinous owing to longer aging in the bottle, while Gatinois Millésime 1988 (a classic vintage) is fine and delicate.

Gosset

The Gossets have been making wine in Ay since 1584, so it is not surprising that theirs are traditional champagnes, lush, rich and old-fashioned.

The firm owns 12 hectares/30 acres of choice vineyards on the Montagne de Reims, but buys in most of its grapes from 30 different crus, especially Chardonnays from the Côte des Blancs. After four centuries of family ownership, control of the firm passed to Max Cointreau of Frapin Cognac in 1994.

Gosset wines are built to last (the Malolactic fermentation is avoided to ensure longevity) and are aged for an exceptionally long time in the bottle. The British critic Jane MacQuitty is right to warn that their musky style is not for everyone. Personally speaking, I feel that the standard Brut Réserve wins more marks for flavour than for elegance, and the much-vaunted 1983 Grand Millésimé does have a muskiness that leaves me cold. However, there is one great wine from Gosset, the Grande Réserve, which has slightly more Pinot Noir than Chardonnay and is a blend of the 1984, 1985 and 1986 vintages. Its rich multi-layered flavours are striking proof that a non-vintage champagne can be better than one from a single year. Terrific with a dish like roast pheasant or partridge.

George Goulet

Famous as the provider of the late King George VI's favourite bubbly, George Goulet is a rare and happy instance of a champagne house that has regained its independence after years of control by the Besserat de Bellefon group.

The house is now owned by a family of growers around Verzenay on the Montagne de Reims. Their brand of champagne is highly prized among connoisseurs in the UK especially. Goulet's non-vintage Extra Quality Brut, though made from 80 per cent Pinot Noir of grand and premier cru ratings, tasted heavy, ponderous and lifeless at a tasting at Les Saveurs Restaurant in December 1993. The vintage champagnes, white and pink, are very much better - big burly wines with very long flavours - and especially successful in the 1985 vintage.

Alfred Gratien

Alfred Gratien is a highly individual company. Walking along the bare boards of the firm's shabby offices today, one sees that very little has changed since Alfred Gratien, a native of Saumur, opened his champagne business on Epernay's rue Maurice Cerveaux in 1867.

Don't be disconcerted. This modest home provides a range of truly excellent champagnes made with the conviction that the old way are best.

The key job of chef de caves has been in the same family for five generations. The present incumbent, Jean-Pierre Jaeger, insists that his champagnes are totally fermented in wood, and they are then given plenty of ageing in the bottle before release.

The non-vintage Alfred Gratien Brut has a light straw-yellow colour and a spicy, fresh-bread bouquet which almost certainly comes from the very high percentage of Pinot Meunier in the blend, though Jean-Pierre is cagey about revealing the exact amount. Freshness and finesse is given by adding about 30 per cent Chardonnay, allied to the practice at Gratien of avoiding the malolactic fermentation to ensure optimum vitality in all the wines.

For the vintage wines at Gratien at least 50 per cent Chardonnay is used in the blend, and the house style of these is elegant, racy and very long-lived. The prestige Alfred Gratien Cuvée Paradis is a masterpiece which deserves the highest star rating. Although this wine does not carry a vintage label, the base is the 1985 vintage. The colour is a lovely sustained lemon-gold, the mousse ultra delicate, the flavour extremely refined, long and persistent: all this has to do with the contribution of Chardonnay (71 per cent) to the blend.
The 1983 Alfred Gratien Brut has a more evolved straw-yellow colour and a riper fuller flavour (about one-third of the blend is Pinot Noir), but this near-mature wine, which will reach its best in 1994 or 1995, still has the signature vintage Gratien taste of top-notch Chardonnay-based champagne.

Emile Hamm

Founded in 1910 by an Ay grower whose father came from Alsace, the firm achieved négociant status in 1930 and is now run by the fourth generation of the family.

Hamm owns 3.5 hectares/8.6 acres of highly rated Ay vineyards but buys in most of its grapes. Nearly all the champagnes are genuinely very dry with a dosage of less than 1 per cent. The non-vintage Sélection Brut is made from a blend of minor crus, with about one third of Chardonnay grapes from the second pressings. The Premier Cru Réserve is recommended; a 60:40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it has a pleasantly yeasty nose and youthful fruit flavours. The 1987, of similar composition, is a decent effort in a difficult year: the high acidity typical of the vintage is easing to reveal a well-balanced, gently evolved flavour.

Charles Heidsieck

This prestigious grande marque house is justly famed on both sides of the Atlantic for its rich, hedonistic, full-flavoured champagnes that make excellent partners to fine cusine.

Charles-Camille Heidsieck was one of the great champagne salesmen. With his brother-in-law Ernest Henriot, he founded this house in 1851 and looked across the Atlantic for new customers. The following year he made the first of four journeys to the USA. By the start of the American Civil War he was selling 300,000 bottles of champagne a year from New York to Louisiana. But it all ended in tears in 1861 when he was arrested by the Unionists in New Orleans while in possession of letters from French manufacturers offering to supply clothing to the Confederate armies. After four months in a swampy Mississippi jail, Charles-Camille returned to France a near-ruined man. But the firm did survive. Charles-Camille's sons and grandsons found new foreign markets in Europe, the Far East and South America, while developing sales in the USA.

The family ran the firm until 1976 when Joseph Henriot, descendant of Ernest, took control. In 1985 Charles Heidsieck was sold to the Rémy-Martin group, which already owned Krug. Under the new ownership the quality of the wines has improved enormously; the firm's non-vintage champagne is much richer than it used to be and is one of the very best on the market. The main reason for the improvement is that Rémy's financial strength has allowed Daniel Thilbault, Charles Heidsieck's chef de caves, to buy the best grapes, and, crucially, to increase his stocks of reserve wines. Thibault has been lionized by the press as a blender of exceptional talent, even as a magician. But as he says, "chefs de caves are not sorcerers, it's the raw material, the grapes, which make the quality of champagne."

Before the Rémy takeover, Charles Heidsieck owned no vineyards, but it has since acquired nearly 30 hectares/74 acres of prime sites in Oger, Ambonnay and Bouzy. This has given the company a good start toward their goad of greater direct control over the quality of the harvest.
The outstanding quality of the non-vintage Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve is the result of careful natural vinification and the complexity of the blend. The wines are made entirely from the first pressings of the grapes, the use of the second pressings having been entirely eliminated since 1985. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel, after which technical treatments of the wines are kept to a minimum to preserve their natural character.

The Brut Réserve blend is composed of up to 300 different components, of which 40 per cent are reserve wines from older vintages. These wines shape the unmistakable vanilla-and-honey flavour of the finished champagne - very much the Charles Heidsieck style - and achieved without the use of wood. The grape mix is three-quarters Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and a quarter Chardonnay, the latter maintaining the champagne's zip while adding a whiff of hazelnut. Critics complain that the Brut Réserve is overpriced, which seems wide of the mark for a champagne of remarkable quality costing less than inferior vintage wines from other houses.
The point reinforced when tasting the Charles Heidsieck Vintage 1985, a less complex wine than the Brut Réserve. Perversely, the Rosé Vintage 1985 is exceptional; of pale onion-skin colour and subtle and refined rather than rumbustiously fruity, it is one pink champagne which really improves with age and should provide excellent drinking in 1995-96. The 1983 Blanc de Millénaires (100 per cent Chardonnay) is one of the best Blanc de Blancs around - a typical Thibault creation, wonderfully rich and creamy with flavours of exotic fruits to win over drinkers who find pure Chardonnay champagnes austere. Hard to find outside a wine auction room but a collector's dream is the 1981 Charles Heidsieck Cuvée la Royale, essentially the taste of great old Pinot Noir dominated champagne with an unforgettable smell of roasted coffee beans. That may not sound inviting, so all that I can say is that I would travel all the way from London to Reims just to taste it again.

Heidsieck Monopole

Founded by Henri-Louis Walbaum in 1834, this firm was originally known as Heidsieck & Co. The "Monopole" tag was added in 1923 by a new owner, Edouard Mignon of Comptoirs Français.

This company, which has been part of the Seagram group since 1972, shares wine-making with Mumm, a giant of the industry. Yet Heidsieck Monopole still officially has extensive vineyards of its own, some 112 hectares/275 acres, including some prime sites of Pinot Noir in the grands crus of Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzenay and Verzy. Although these only account for about one-third of the firm's needs, they provide good base wines for the cuvées and they shape the full rich champagne house style.

The Dry Monopole Brut is made from a mix of all three champagne grapes in roughly equal parts, and though there is some disagreement amoung critics about its consistency, I have always found it discreetly aromatic, round in flavour and well balanced. The prestige cuvée Diamant Bleu is an immaculately blended wine (50 per cent Pinot Noir, 50 per cent Chardonnay) the 1976 being particularly impressive. This wine is now something of a collector's item.

Piper-Heidsieck

Piper-Heidsieck has always been a famous grande marque with a big following in the USA. Now there are signs that its light, straightforward champagnes are changing in style, showing richer, more complex tones.

It is difficult to know quite what to make of Piper-Heidsieck. Founded in 1834 by Christian Heidsieck, nephrew of Florenz-Ludwig (the paterfamilias of the Heidsieck dynasty), the firm remained independent until 1989. Yet piper has rarely won press plaudits for its champagnes. Most critics see them as being light and rather austere (until recently they never went through malolactic fermentation) and lacking richness or complexity.
But with the takeover of the firm by the Rémy-Cointreau group in 1989, things have taken a turn for the better. Daniel Thibault, chef de caves at Charles Heidsieck, now makes the champagnes at Piper, too. They are beginning to become richer and more generous in flavour, though as a deliberate act of policy they remain fairly straightforward champagnes of primary fruit with a good flick of acidity.

Easily the best wines here are the vintage cuvées such as the bone-dry Brut Sauvage 1982, which although undosed is very naturally flavoured and not too austere thanks to the ripeness of the grapes in the blend. The prestige cuvée Champagne Rare 1985 is a splendid wine; Chardonnay-dominated, citrussy, racy and long on the palate, it will develop greatly in bottle until 1996-97. The Thibault-made non-vintage Rosé Brut gets very high marks from the 1994 Guide Hachette, the tasters raved about its aromas of vanilla and tastes of woodland fruits, which suggests lots of reserve wines in the blend.

Henriot

Henriot champagnes are Chardonnay-influenced, briskly invigorating, definitely dry and extremely elegant.

Vignerons in the Champagne region since the 17th century and merchants since 1808, the Henriots farm 110 hectares/272 acres of superb vineyards, mainly on the Côte des Blancs de la Marne. Joseph Henriot, the present head of the company, is one of the most influential men in the champagne industry, a complex character who is both a passionate guardian of quality and a wheeler-dealer of extreme agility. In 1985 he merged the family Henriot business with that of Veuve Clicquot and directed the two companies, each with separate identities, until 1994. What will he do next?

The one wine that seems out of place in his impressive range is the non-vintage Souverain Brut, which is a rather rough-and-ready champagne compared with its classy stable mates. The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs is light and citrussy, ideal as an aperitif. The 1985 Rosé is very subtle stuff, made entirely from Chardonnay with 15 per cent Bouzy Rouge added. The vintage 1985 Brut is a big wine that will improve with age. Henriot uses no Pinot Meunier in the blend.

Irroy

This little champagne house, established in 1820, is one of the least known, being completely overshadowed by its parent company, Taittinger.

Irroy's lack of fame is good news for the discerning consumer, for these champagnes are decent, well made (largely from Chardonnay grapes) and often a bargain. The Brut Carte d'Or is a light and elegant wine for easy drinking, but the star buy is the Rosé. With its pale salmon colour, its wafting aroma of red fruit and subtle poised flavour, it quite outshone the pink competition from some much grander houses at a London tasting in December 1993. More's the pity that Irroy recently lost its grande marque status.

Jacquart

One of the major players in the modern champagne industry, Jacquart is a large cooperative-turned-merchant house.

Jacquart is now the sixth biggest champagne producer. Its strength comes from 1,000 hectares/2,471 acres of vines owned by its 700 member growers, impeccable wine-making, the modern aggressive marketing of the Jacquart label, especially in France. Clean, well-balanced Brut Tradition non-vintage, classy Chardonnay-driven Brut Sélection, immaculate 1987 Brut (a real success in a difficult year) and the prestige 1985 Cuvée Nominée Blanc de Blancs, a champagne of rare refinement.

André Jacquart

A leading grower in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, André Jacquart now exports his excellent, sharply priced champagnes to the USA, the UK and Japan.

His is essentially a Chardonnay house, the family owning 11 hectares/27 acres in choice vineyards along the Côte des Blancs (including a prime plot in Le Mesnil) with smaller holding (7 hectares/17 acres) of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the Vallée de la Marne and the Aube.
The Carte Blanche Brut (non-vintage) is the firm's best-known brand, its incisive dry flavour of top-flight Chardonnay rounded out with the richer tastes of early-maturing Pinot Noir. This impeccably balanced champagne is one of the best buys available. The Grand Cru Le Mesnil is the wine of a single year. The 1986 was a model, mature Blanc de Blancs for drinking in 1994-95.

Krug

The most prestigious name in champagne. Krug wines have always been deep-flavoured, uncompromising and extremely expensive. Made by the fifth and sixth generations of the family, they need long aging but can taste magnificent when they are 10, 15, even 20 years old.

The house was founded in 1843 by Johann Joseph Krug, a German immigrant from Mainz, who had learned the art of blending at Jacquesson.
The distinctive taste of Krug champagnes - full, rich, and nutty - comes from the highly traditional way in which they are vinified. Krug is the only house which ferments all its wines in small oak barriques. This process undoubtedly shapes the vinous style, which is quite unlike any other. But the crucial quality factor here is the family's extremely rigorous approach to the art of blending. The Krug Grande Cuvée, the flagship brand of the house, is (as wine-maker Henri Krug puts it), "a blend of the broadest possible dimensions, intricately balancing as many as 40 to 50 different wines from 20 to 25 different growths and six to ten different vintages."
A typical grape mix for Grande Cuvée might be 45-55 per cent Pinot Noir, 25-35 per cent Chardonnay and 15-20 per cent Pinot Meunier. The Krugs are great champions of the Pinot Meunier (bought from the cooperative in Leuvrigny) as they believe it adds fruitiness and spice to the blend. The current Grande Cuvée (last tasted January 1994) has returned to top form after one or two disappointments in recent years. The colour is a beautiful bright gold, there are scents of toasty vanilla and hazelnut, and the taste seems fresher and more sprightly than it used to be, but with a burgeoning richness.

This brings me to the thorny point of when to drink the wine: for although Grande Cuvée is never released until it has at least six years' bottle age, it really does repay keeping for a further year or two before pulling the cork.

The vintage wines are supreme examples of the champagne blender's are - Grande Cuvée writ large - and may be recommended without exception because the Krugs are careful to make them only in exceptional years. The currently available 1982 is a powerful wine of intense ripe concentration for drinking in 1995-2000. Of earlier vintages 1979, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1971 and 1969 were especially splendid. For lovers of an "old" wine now in its prime, Krug Collection 1964 in magnums is available in tiny quantities. A certificate signed by Henri Krug is issued to collectors on request.

The Krug Clos de Mesnil Blanc de Blancs is produced solely from grand cru Chardonnay grapes in a walled vineyard ("clos") at Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, the greatest white wine village of the Côte des Blancs. With financial help from the Rémy-Cointreau group, who now have a controlling interest in Krug, this plum 1.98 hectare/4.9 acre site was bought by the company in the early 1970s, the first vintage being in 1979. Like all Chardonnay champagnes from Le Mesnil, the Krugs' Clos is mouth-puckering and acidic when young, but given 12 to 15 years in bottle it takes on the complexity of a great Corton Charlemagne with bubbles. The 1982 will be a very great wine, but do not broach it before the turn of the century.

Krug Rosé, first introduced in 1983, is cast in the same serious mould as the rest of the range. Firmly structured, very fruity and extremely dry, it is intended to accompany fine cuisine. The famous Paris chef Alain Senderens once created an entire meal - from leek-wrapped lobster to a mosaic of veal - around this wine. Certainly good stuff but nothing like as interesting as the other wines from Krug.

Lanson

One of the oldest houses in Champagne, Lanson has always been acclaimed for its quality wines that offered excellent value for money, and outstanding vintage champagnes. But recent changes threaten a downturn.

Lanson's is a sad story. As recently as 1990 this great house, one of the oldest in Champagne, seemed to have adapted well to the modern world; its best-selling Black Label Brut was a good reliable wine and its vintage champagnes were some of the best around. But in 1991 Lanson lost all 208 hectares/514 acres of its magnificent vineyards when the firm was sold by the Louis Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy group to a consortium headed by Marne et Champagne. The future style and quality of these champagnes must be in doubt following a recent tasting of the flagship cuvée, the non-vintage Black Label Brut, at Les Saveurs Restaurant in January 1994. Speaking personally, I found it a pale shadow of its former self, acidic, immature and charmless. The Rosé Brut seemed cast in the same mould. However, the remaining stocks of the 1985 vintage champagnes should be snapped up quickly, especially the prestige Noble Cuvée, which is a magnificent wine and a masterpiece of vigour, richness and balance made from grapes grown in the family vineyards and vinified without malolactic fermentation to ensure a long life. As a salute to the old days, the firm just earns a one-star rating, but urgent action is needed to improve the non-vintage wines if Lanson is to regain its reputation as one of the true grandes marques.

Larmandier-Bernier

Pierre Larmandier makes some of the most stylish champagnes in the Côte des Blancs, as he has excellent grapes to draw on from the family's 12 hectare/30 acre domaine spanning the Chardonnay grande crus of Cramant, Chouilly and Oger.

In Vertus he grows both Chardonnay and a little Pinot Noir. The average age of the vines is 30 years, though he has a significant number of old vines too. Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats and are temperature-controlled, and all the wines go through malolactic fermentation. They are aged for a least three years in the bottle and are given a low dosage at the time of dégorgement, after which there is always a resting period of at least three months before shipment. The resulting champagne style is firm and incisive but with a lovely expression of pure-flavoured, unadulterated Chardonnay fruit.

The cuvees to earmark from this range are the Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru, light, fresh aromatic (a superb aperitif) and the Cramant Grand Cru, more complex and very long on the palate. Larmandier-Bernier champagnes are wines of real class and, being little known outside France and Belgium, are shrewd buys with an excellent quality-to-price ratio. If you are ever in Paris, try them at the Restaurant Benoît in the rue St Martin (4ème).

Laurent-Perrier

Like several great champagne houses, Laurent-Perrier owes a lot to resourceful widows. Today, this grande marque house probably produces the most varied and imaginative range of wines in the whole region. And it has always been a courageous pace-setter.

On the death of her husband Eugène Laurent in 1887, Mathilde Perrier added her name to his and managed the company successfully for 38 years - in 1914 Veuve Laurent-Perrier was selling 600,000 bottles of excellent champagne a year - but she lost a lot of her family during the First World War and died without children in 1925. Another widow, Marie-Louise de Nonancourt, sister of Victor and Henri Lanson, took over the moribund firm in 1938, intending to hand it over to her son Maurice.

Called to work for the Germans during the occupation of France, Maurice de Nonancourt tried to reach England through Spain but was arrested at the Spanish border and died in the German deportation camp of Oranienburg. His younger brother Bernard spent much of the war in a Maquis Résistance cell in the French Alps, where he learned that to survive in life you have to surround yourself with competent people. When Bernard de Nonancourt took over Laurent-Perrier in 1948, he was extremely careful in his choice of colleagues to help rebuild the firm. Over the 45 years since then, Laurent-Perrier has grown from a tiny concern into the fourth largest champagne house, with annual sales of about 7 million bottles.

Laurent-Perrier is based in a domaine surrounded by vines at Tours-sur-Marne, 13 kilometres/8 miles east of Epernay. The location is significant for, talking to the people who work here, you are left in no doubt that champagne-making is an art but one that depends on great grapes. The firm owns 100 hectares/247 acres of vineyards, which provides about 12 per cent of its needs, but relies on a network of growers.
In a bold departure from conventional practice, the firm decided to make a non-vintage prestige cuvée named Grand Siècle in 1957 because it believed that a better balanced flavour would be achieved by blending wines from three great years. Ever since, Grand Siècle has been a consistently magnificent wine; it is occasionally sold with a vintage label in exceptional years. In 1981, Laurent-Perrier released its first Cuvée Ultra Brut, a very dry champagne with no dosage. Thus were recreated the "sugarless" champagnes that the house had sold in England (where else?) in the 1890s. You do not have to be a diabetic to appreciate this wine for, although bone dry, it is not astringent since it is always made from the grapes of a ripe year, and on a hot summer evening it is wonderfully refreshing.

This firm is also one of the very few to make pink champagne the hard way - by putting the Pinot Noir grape skins into contact with the juice to obtain the required colour. As if that were not enough, it is the leading specialist in the still Coteaux Champenois wines of the region, both white and red. Alain Terrier, Laurent-Perrier's cellarmaster, is one of the most gifted wine-makers I have ever met. Slightly severe and professorial on first acquaintance, this Bordeaux-born oenologist gave me some fascinating insights into the art of blending when I tasted the current releases with him at the domaine in January 1994. Looking at my notes, as they say, it was a stimulating experience.

Here is the race card. The current Ultra Brut is a shimmering green-gold colour, there is a nose of ripe apricots and in the mouth the flavours are mature, with no hint of aggression. A very high proportion of the wines in the blend come from the 1985 vintage. The Brut L.P., the flagship brand, is especially good at the moment, being essentially made from the hot 1989 vintage. Whiffs of brioche and mandarin orange lead on to a round rich flavour. The vintage 1988 (53 per cent Chardonnay, 47 per cent Pinot Noir) has a mushroomy aroma typical of Pinot Noir, which dominates the flavour at the moment; however, with further aging the Chardonnay tastes will progressively take over.

The current Grand Siècle is predominantly 1988 with smaller proportions of 1985 and 1982. With a light majority of Chardonnay it is very fine, delicate, well-balanced but with a long, generous aftertaste. The Grand Siècle exceptionellement millésimé 1985 is a sensational bottle; this time Pinot Noir (58 per cent) dominates the blend, for this grape was extremely ripe in the Champagne region that year, and this wine has a glorious toasted character. Grand Siècle Alexandra Rosé 1982 is a brick-coloured rosé champagne of rare vinosity.

R & L Legras

René and Lucien Legras established this elite little champagne business in 1972 - their Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is the house champagne of many Michelin-starred restaurants in France. And very good it is too.

The Legras family, vignerons since the 18th century, own 21 hectares/52 acres on the Côte des Blancs. Their Blanc des Blancs has a vital green gold colour, a superfine mousse, floral well-defined Chardonnay aromas, a rounded toasty flavour, and a persistent finish. The Prestige Cuvée St Vincent is a rich evolved Chardonnay champagne with distinctive walnut aromas not unlike Salon. The Brut Intégral was one of the first sugarless champagnes released in the 1970s. The current release is flower-scented yet bone dry without being too austere.

Abel Lepitre

Founded in 1924 by Abel Lepitre and greatly expanded by his son Jacques after the second World War, this firm had a very good reputation in the 1960s, expecially for its excellent prestige cuvée Prince A. de Bourbon Parme.

Since 1970, Abel Lipitre has had several owners but it is now part of the Marie Brizard group which also owns the excellent Mareuil-sur-Ay house of Philipponnat. There seems to be a reforming hand at work, for the Lepitre champagnes are once again worth seeking out.

The standard Brut (60 per cent Pinot Noir, 25 per cent Chardonnay, 15 per cent Pinot Meunier) has a nicely evolved nutty nose and its pure fruit flavours are round and full. The Vintage Brut 1986 (a classic 60-40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) is a very proper glass of mature champagne, honeyed yet fresh. The non-vintage Cuvée 134 is in the style of the old crémant champagnes that established Lepitre's reputation; made from 100 per cent Chardonnay with a gentle mousse, it is light, incisive, medium-bodied and ideal as an aperitif. The vintage-dated Rosé, currently the 1986, is an assemblage of 55 per cent Pinot Noir, 35 per cent Chardonnay, with 15 per cent Bouzy rouge: subtle stuff.

Mailly

Without exception Mailly champagnes have at least 75 per cent Pinot Noir in their composition, so the house style here is a youthful black grape fruitiness.

This well-known cooperative on the Montagne de Reims, founded in 1929, has 70 members farming 70 hectares/173 acres of vines all within the commune of Mailly and classed as grand cru. You either like or dislike the young Pinot-dominated style of Mailly champagnes. Personally, I think several of the cuvées here could do with much more bottle age. Three recommendations: The Mailly Grand Cru Brut Réserve is full of primary Pinot Noir fruit, big-flavoured, with a slightly rooty vegetal finish; the Mailly Grand Cru 1988 is in a similar style to the Brut Réserve but with more intensity of flavour (still very young-tasting, though); and, perversely, the best buy is the Mailly Coteaux Champenois Rouge, which is a seriously good red wine with a nicely modulated ruby colour, and a fine combination of finesse, flavour and vinosity on both nose and palate.

Mercier

Eugène Mercier was a great promoter who democratized the image of champagne. He founded this house in 1858, specializing in mass-produced wines for the general public. Mercier wines are very good value.

Mercier always thought big: over a 20 year period he built the world's second largest wine barrel in preparation for the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1889; it took a team of 24 oxen three weeks to tow the cask to the capital. Yet the great showman is best remembered for the extraordinary cellars he built at the top of the hill on Epernay's Avenue de Champagne. They extend to 16 kilometres/10 miles of wide subterranean galleries which you can visit daily on the firm's miniature electric train.

Mercier's family bought a lot of vineyards in the 1950s in the Marne Valley, mainly planted with Pinot Meunier. In 1970 the firm was bought by Moët & Chandon, and is now part of the LVMH group.
Although Mercier does not reveal the grape mix of its cuvées, it is reasonable to assume that they are mostly based on Pinot Meunier, which accounts for their rich spicy taste and their keen price. From a decent range, earmark the aromatic Rosé Brut with its nice balance of fruit and acidity, the successful Demi-Sec, which is clean-tasting and not cloying, and the Vintage Brut 1986 which has a ripe Chardonnayesque character.

Moët & Chandon

Moët & Chandon is the giant of the champagne industry and getting bigger by the minute. Until 1987, with its subsidiaries Mercier and Ruinart, it accounted for about a quarter of the region's champagne sales; now, with Veuve Clicquot and Pommery within the fold, the Moët group (LVMH) completey dominates the export business.

For such a huge operation, the quality of wine-making at Moët is very high, reflecting the innovative excellence of its technical management and the firm's financial clout in securing the best grapes. Moët also owns the largest vineyards of any champagne house - 500 hectares/1,235 acres currently in production - but these only meet about 20 per cent of the firm's needs. Remember, a bottle of Moët is uncorked somewhere in the world every two seconds.

Claude Moët, a broker and grower from the Grande Vallée de la Marne, founded the business in 1743. But it was really his grandson, Jean-Rémy Moët, who made it famous through his friendship with Napoleon. Between 1805 and his death in 1841, Moët was the most celebrated wine-maker in Europe; the orders poured in, and the company became the dominant champagne house. Opposite Moët's offices on Epernay's Avenue de Champagne stands the Trianon, twin white pavilions with a formal sunken garden and exquisite orangery, which Jean-Rémy built to accommodate Napoleon's court on its way to and from the battlefields of eastern Europe. Now as then, the Trianon is used to entertain the great and the good.

Since 1832 the firm has been known as Moët & Chandon, thus incorporating the name of Jean-Rémy's son-in-law, Pierre Gabriel Chandon de Briailles. During the mid-19th century the family became the greatest vineyard owners in Champagne, the list of clients grew longer, and Richard Wagner consoled himself with a bottle of Moët when his opera Tanhäuser flopped at its Paris première in 1861. By the last years of the century, Moët & Chandon had about a 16 per cent share of the booming export market. The firm then went into a period of decline until it was rescued by Comte Robert-Jean de Vogüé in the early 1930s.

Undaunted by the effects of the great depression, de Vogüé persuaded his fellow directors to relaunch an unused marque called Dom Pérignon, bought from Mercier in 1930, as a prestige cuvée for export markets. It was a brilliant marketing coup in view of Moët & Chandon's long-standing ownership of the Abbey and vineyards of Hautvillers and the company's association with the famous monk and champagne-maker. The first shipments arrived in London in 1935 and in New Yark the following year. Dom Pérignon has been the most famous champagne in America ever since. Having survived internment in a German deportation camp, de Vogüé rapidly expanded the firm's sales after the Second World War. By 1962, when Moët became the first champagne house to be quoted on the French Bourse, those sales had reached 10 million bottles a year. A period of huge growth followed, with the firm's acquisition of Ruinart (1963), Mercier (1970), and the Christian Dior perfume house (1971). In 1973 the company started its first sparkling wine venture in the New World with its purchase of Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley, California, quickly followed by a second in Brazil 12 months later. Since then it has established its most impressive sparkling wine operation to date (in terms of the really excellent fizz in the bottle) at Domaine Chandon in Australia's Yarra Valley, where since 1985 Dr Tony Jordan has been fashioning champagne-method wines from classic grapes to rival the real thing. And, the company also produces Cava at the Chandon vineyard in Spain's Penedés.

Back home in Epernay, Moët's champagnes at the non-vintage level are once again decent and reliable (after a bad patch in the 1970's), and its vintage wines are excellent representatives of the years from which they come. The flagship Brut Impérial Première Cuvée is a bright, fruity wine, the flavour dominated by black grapes but with a good amount of Chardonnay too; it always seems to improve a lot with a further 12 months in bottle after shipment, and old bottles can be vigorously alive. The Vintage Brut Impérial 1986 is a highly distinctive, generously flavoured champagne, with notes of spices and brown bread - a typical Moët touch - that comes in part from the 30 per cent Pinot Meunier grapes in the blend.

The Dom Pérignon 1985, with its highish percentage of Chardonnay supported by extremely ripe Pinot Noir from the firm's own vineyards on the Montagne de Reims and the Grand Vallée de la Marne, is a truly sumptuous yet beautifully balance wine, the work of Richard Geoffroy, a former medical doctor and one of the finest wine-makers in Champagne. The Dom Pérignon Rosé 1982 is another masterpiece: it is peach-coloured, and its superb expression of fully evolved Chardonnay flavours will delight the most demanding connoisseur. On current showing, both Dom Pérignon wines are prestige cuvées that are worth their very high price.

Jean Moutardier

It is said that when the chef de caves at Veuve Clicquot starts to compose the blend for his champagnes, he always sets the Pinot Meunier of Jean Moutardier to one side as a model by which to judge others.

Moutardier is probably the finest exponent of Pinot Meunier-based champagne, his known creations giving the lie to the myth that the finest sparkling wines are always made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He now sells most of his production as finished champagne directly from his 20 hectare/49 acre domaine and modern cellar in Le Breuil, a little village near Dormans. He is ably assisted by his daughters, one of whom, Lily, is married to an Englishman, Jonathon Saxby, who gave up a career as an executive with Rank Hovis McDougall, learned champagne-making at the local wine school in Avize, and is rapidly taking over the business from his father-in-law Jean.

The Moutardier Brut Réserve (a vintage wine) is made entirely from Pinot Meunier, a real rarity. The 1986 has a strong deep gold colour and an intense flavour of ripe and red fruit tinged with spice but balanced by excellent acidity. The Carte d'Or (non-vintage) is composed of 80 per cent Pinot Meunier and is very fruity and full-bodied without being heavy. It is very good value for money. There is also a delicious salmon-coloured Rosé with a delectable wild strawberry fruitiness. All these boldly flavoured wines, the pink in particular, are excellent matches for Chinese cuisine.

Altogether different is the top-of-the-range Brut Sélection which is a classic mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Subtlety is the keynote, with its nuanced colour, delicate mousse, and long complex flavour, though this champagne is less Brut than many, with quite a high dosage.

G H Mumm

Since the early 1950s Cordon Rouge has been the big champagne name on the US market, and the brand image is so strong that it is still given to several champagnes in the Mumm range, both vintage and non-vintage.

The firm was founded in 1827 by the brothers Jules, Edouard and Gottlieb de Mumm and their partner, M. Giesler. The brothers Mumm, German Protestants, came from Rüdesheim on the Rheingau, where they had owned vineyards and an important wine distribution business. In 1838, G.H.Mumm, Gottlieb's son, joined the company and in 1853 took his name. For the next 50 years the Mumms owned and managed the firm, but they remained German citizens. As a result, on the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the firm's assets and vineyards were confiscated by the French government; in 1920 G.H.Mumm and Co, then the largest champagne company in Reims, was put up for sale by auction and bought by the Societé Vinicole de Champagne Successeurs. In 1955, the Canadian-based Seagram group acquired an interest in Mumm, later a controlling one, and the company is now part of a huge international drinks conglomerate.

Mumm's flagship brand, Cordon Rouge, is probably more famous than the name of the firm. Cordon Rouge was first introduced in 1875 by Mumm's Paris agent, who had the bright idea of decorating the bottle with the sash of the Legion d'Honneur in order to boost sales. The ribbon was later abandoned in favour of a label inscribed with the words Cordon Rouge on a wide diagonal red stripe, and was only resuscitated in 1991 with the launch of the firm's new prestige cuvée, the 1985 Mumm Grand Cordon, which was decorated with a reproduction of the Legion d'Honneur ribbon.
The range and style of the champagnes on the Cordon Rouge label is too diverse to give an accurate general description, but how good are the individual wines from this major champagne player?
The hugely successful non-vintage Cordon Rouge Brut has received mixed, sometimes downright hostile, reviews from the pundits. In December 1990 the French magazine Que Choisir wrote that it was "very little appreciated, (with) too large bubbles, a powerful but unbalanced nose, too much acidity for certain tasters and not enough length." My own impression of this cuvée (tasted in December 1993) was of a fresh fruity wine in a green rather immature style, artfully rounded out to a just off-dry flavour by the use of a slightly higher than average dosage than is usually the case with a truly Brut Champagne. It is a decent but unexciting product, fully priced, and is relatively poor value for money. Its blend is a conventional mix of all three champagne grapes. Cordon Vert (also non-vintage) is a rich champagne, officially classified as Demi-Sec, soft, round but really quite sweet.

Mumm de Cramant is a rare wine made from a single vintage of Chardonnay grapes from the village of Cramant, rated 100 per cent on the echelle des crus. Of lovely citron colour, the wine sparkles gently; the taste is dry, ultra-pure and fresh, with lemon and butter notes. It is, however, a very light wine and finishes too short for my liking. Cordon Rouge 1985 is a fine vintage wine (70 per cent Pinot Noir, 30 per cent Chardonnay), with a nutty nose and a nice touch of maturity. Cordon Rosé 1985 is of similar composition to the vintage Cordon Rouge; the colour is a deep blush, and there is a whiff of soft red fruits, which is confirmed on the palate - an excellent rosé by any standard. The two Mumm prestige cuvées are also first-rate, and so they should be as they are very expensive: René Lalou 1985, reputedly the favourite bubbly of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, is a big champagne (50 per cent Pinot Noir, 50 per cent Chardonnay), ripe-tasting with no hint of austerity; Grand Cordon 1985, the star of the range, is subtle but steely with a seemingly dominant Chardonnay character (actually 50 per cent of the blend) that is shaped by the best Côte des Blancs grapes from Cramant and Avize; the big aftertaste, though, shows the intensity of grand cru Pinot Noir which makes up the other half of the blend.

Napoléon

Don't be deceived by the staid labels or the old-fashioned premises where a visit is like a walk through time, for Napoléon champagnes are always good and sometimes superb.

This little gem of a firm in Vertus at the southern end of the Côte de Blancs, founded in 1825, is really called Ch. & A. Prieur, after the sons of the founder. In 1898 the third generation of the family managed to register the name Napoléon as a marque and shipped a small quantity of champagne to Russia. The standard non-vintage Napoléon Carte Verte Brut is usually made from three-quarters Pinot Meunier and a quarter Chardonnay; light and clean-flavoured, it is for early drinking. The Napoléon Tradition Carte d'Or, despite its kitsch label, is a wonderful champagne; Chardonnay, while only accounting for about 40 per cent of the blend, shapes the wine's elegance and lovely balance, but there is real richness here too from Pinot Noir - the nicest surprise I experienced with any champagne while researching this book. The 1985 Vintage Brut tastes remarkably like the Carte d'Or. Are they by chance related? Until 1994, the firm, still run by the Prieur family, was the smallest grande marque house, but it resigned because it could no longer afford the fees to finance that club's promotional ambitions.

Bruno Paillard

Bruno specializes in very dry, deep-flavoured champagnes with minimal dosage. His vintage wines are dressed with chic labels illustrated by prominent artists, and carry the date of disgorging.

Founded in 1981 by a dynamic young broker, Bruno Paillard, the firm is now installed in a sleek modern winery on the southern outskirts of Reims. Eighty per cent of the firm's production is exported, mainly to the USA, the UK, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Strongly flavoured as they undoubtedly are, Paillard champagnes also have considerable finesse. As its name implies, the non-vintage Première Cuvée Brut is made from the first pressings of all three champagne grapes. Of vivid gold colour with a fine mousse, this is a fresh, definitely dry champagne at once fruity and vinous with exemplary persistence of flavour. The Premiere Cuvée Rosé has a tanslucent light-salmon hue, the nose is floral and Chardonnayesque, the palate Pinotesque, powerful yet fine and restrained - one of the best rosés around. The Chardonnay Réserve Privée is a distinctive wine, its whiff of toast and vanilla suggesting that a proportion of the wines in the blend were fermented in wood; the taste is all lemony delicacy and bone-dry. The Vintage Brut 1985 has a rich evolved flavour with a lovely note of ripe Chardonnay typical of this great year.

Palmer & Co

Palmer is one of the best cooperatives in Champagne and one small enough to concentrate on quality.

Palmer's 180 member-growers cultivate 315 hectares/778 acres of mainly premier cru Pinot Noir grapes from the Montagne de Reims. There are no short-cuts in the wine-making, which takes place in a modern cuverie above old deep cellars in the centre of Reims. Processess like remauge are given plenty of time to achieve the best results. The champagnes are made with at least 20 per cent reserve wines and they are rested for three to six months after dégorgement.

Mostly unusually for a cooperative, Palmer has a "library" of older vintages from 1979 back to 1947. A bottle of the 1961 shared with the ebullient director Jean-Claude Colson in January 1994 was a magnificent old champagne which still tasted fresh as a daisy. Of the regular range, the standard Brut (non-vintage), made from equal parts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is a lot better than many flagship wines from the grandes marques; fresh, elegant and of real complexity. The Rosé Brut is a full-flavoured expression of Pinot Noir, while the 1982 Blanc de Blancs is drinking at the peak of its maturity, but will keep well in a cool cellar until 1995-96.

Pannier

Pannier specializes in wines based on Pinot Meunier that are immaculately vinified to produce flattering, fruit-driven champagnes offering excellent value for money.

This group of growers at Château Thierry farm 410 hectares/1,013 acres mainly in the Vallée de la Marne but have access to grapes from the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. Tradition Brut, with more than 50 per cent Pinot Meunier, has an inviting, pale yet vital colour, a fine persistent mousse, clear fruit definition, and a supple yet vinous flavour.

The prestige cuvée, Égerie de Pannier can be a memorable bottle: Chardonnay adds refinement and a toasty scent. The opulent 1985 Égerie has been replaced by the 1988, which should be kept until 1995.

Perrier-Jouët

Perrier-Jouët has always been one of the most prestigious champagne houses. Its superb vineyards at Avize and neighbouring Cramant account of the hazelnut aromas and creamy flavours of top-flight Chardonnay that are so typical of Perrier-Jouët vintage champagnes.

Founded in 1811 by Pierre Nicolas-Marie Perrier, who had married Adèle Jouët, Perrier-Jouët quickly became known in the English-speaking world: its first shipments of champagne were dispatched to the UK in 1815 and to the USA in 1837. Pierre's son, Charles Perrier, was a deft politician and a famous Mayor of Epernay who built the grandiose Château Perrier opposite the firm's elegant premises in the Avenue de Champagne. It now houses the town library and museum and is well worth a visit. Charles Perrier greatly expanded the firm's exports to the UK, and by the time of his death in 1897, PJ (as it was nicknamed) numbered among its devotees women as different as Queen Victoria and the actress Sarah Bernhardt, who reputedly like to bathe in its wines.
Charles Perrier had no children but the firm passed into the safe hands of his nephew, Henry Gallice, who was an important figure in the fight against phylloxera in the Champagne region during the early 1900s. In 1934, Perrier-Jouët was acquired by Louis Budin, who had married a Gallice. His son Michel became managing director in 1959, the same year that Mumm Champagne later to be owned by the Seagram group) took a majority shareholding in the company. Budin, a very fine taster, was wisely allowed to go on making the excellent type of champagne which had established the high reputation of the house in the 19th century. Budin's greatest coup, both aesthetically and commercially, was his launch in 1970 of the firm's distinctive flower-decorated prestige cuvée Belle Epoque. Budin's choice of venue and occasion was inspired: a Paris nightclub to celebrate the 70th birthday of the American jazz musician Duke Ellington; at a stroke PJ's grande marque image was strongly reinforced in the USA, where by 1987 it has become the third largest champagne brand.
PJ's major assets are its 100 hectares/247 acres of vineyards, especially the superb Chardonnay sites on the Côte des Blancs. The firm owns 27 hectares/67 acres in Avize alone, and 9 hectares/22 acres at Cramant. The house's other vineyards include 9 hectares/22 acres at Mailly-Champagne on the Montagne de Reims, 20 hectares/49 acres at Dizy and Ay in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, and a sizeable 31.5 hectares/78 acres of Pinot Meunier at Vinay and Orbais. Nevertheless the company still buys in about 60 per cent of its grape needs.
The non-vintage Grand Brut is made from all three champagne grape varieties but is dominated by the two Pinots, which give the wine a foursquare, meaty style. The Blason de France Brut is altogether finer; the better-class grapes in the blend and the longer time in bottle produce a champagne with an evolved yeasty complex nose and a poised richness on the palate - a classy bottle. The Blason de France Brut Rosé is an excellent well-aged cuvée; rose-coloured with brick and orange tints, the black fruit and grilled bread aromas soar out of the glass, while the Pinot flavours are mouth-enveloping and persistent. The Vintage Réserve Cuvée Brut 1985 is a classic example of the PJ vintage style with its nutty creamy Chardonnay character - class in a glass and what great champagne is all about. The Belle Epoque Brut 1985 is one of the finest champagnes I have ever drunk; a 50/50 Pinot Noir-Chardonnay blend, this wine has everything; supreme elegance, aromas of flowers, a toasty richness, and terrific complexity. Each time I taste it I discover new flavours.

Joseph Perrier

Off the beaten track in Châlons-sur-Marne, Joseph Perrier is one of the hidden jewels of the champagne world.

Thanks to its low profile, this small grande marque house, founded in 1825, had been left in peace to make mellow fruit-laden champagnes whose price has not yet caught up with their quality. The ripe generous house style comes form the sunny location of the firm's 20 hectares/49 acres of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vineyards at Cumières, Damery and Hautvillers.

The non-vintage Cuvée Royale Brut is consistently pleasurable. Straw-gold in colour and made from one-third Chardonnay and two-thirds black grapes, it has an expansive smell of raspberries and a broad spicy flavour; mellow too, with at least three years' bottle age. The vintage 1985 Brut is paler, more refined with a classy taste of citrus fruits (45 per cent Chardonnay in this blend). The firm has wisely decided to go on to the excellent 1989 vintage for release in early 1995, by which time the 1985 will be sold out. The Rosé Brut is strictly for those who like a full fruit style, since this wine is pervaded with the taste of cherries and raspberries. The real star here is the Cuvée de Luxe Josephine 1985, a true three-star champagne and a wonderful expression of ripe mature Chardonnay that, although accounting for only half of the blend, dominates the wine's flavour.

Philipponnat

A small traditional firm which deserves to be better known, Philipponnat makes champagnes for the true connoisseur.

This house was founded in 1910, although the family have been growers in the Vallée de la Marne since the end of the 17th century. Philipponnat's prize possession is the 5.5 hectare/ 13 acre Clos des Goisses at Mareuil, the largest walled vineyard in Champagne. Across the board their champagnes are wines of vinosity and character, delicate and gently sparkling, with a high proportion of reserve wines in the blends.
The non-vintage Royale Réserve Brut, made from 70 per cent black grapes and 30 per cent Chardonnay (one-fifth of the total being reserve wines), is an admirable flagship champagne, mellow yet with well-defined sprightly fruit and a classically dry clean finish. Dominated by 70 per cent Pinot Noir, this champagne is made by highly traditional methods including a first fermentation in wooden casks. The result in the 1986 vintage (very difficult elsewhere) is first-rate, with an impressive ripeness and concentration (a true three-star champagne). The more recent Le Reflet cuvée is a classic mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the latter grapes coming form the Clos des Goisses. The honeysuckle aromas and brisk acidity of Chardonnay characterize this wine, which would make a fine partner for that greatest of deep-water fish, the sea bass. Philipponnat has been owned since 1987 by the Marie Brizard family-run drinks group.

Ployez-Jacquemart

Wine-making by this "boutique" champagne firm is traditional. The prise de mousse takes place in cool deep cellars, and the champagnes are given plenty of bottle age.

Gérard Ployez and his daughter Laurence own a vineyard at Ludes and Mailly-Champagne, but buy most of their grapes from highly rated crus in the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. Chardonnay accounts for a least 50 per cent of the blend - and more in exceptional years. The range includes a rich, well-rounded Extra Quality Brut, and exceptional Blanc de Blancs 1985 and a barrel-fermented prestige Cuvée Liesse d'Harbonville.

Pol Roger

For consistently pleasurable champagnes, the house of Pol Roger has few equals. I have never drunk a disappointing bottle from this model family firm, which says a lot about the people behind the label.

Christian de Billy and Christian Pol-Roger, great grandsons of the founder, are totally committed to the highest standards of quality, and they have never been tempted to overexpand this smallish grande marque or to diversify into other wine making ventures. The cousins simply make sure that the firm sticks to classic precepts of champagne-making, yet a lightness of touch is reflected in their wines, which are among the most subtle, nuancé and delicious in the region.

The house was founded in 1849 by Pol Roger, a native of Ay. In 1876 he shipped his first champagnes to England, which was to become the firm's major market. It was his son Maurice Pol-Roger who really made the brand famous. He was an outstandingly brave mayor of Epernay during the German occupation of the town in 1914. By 1935 he had established the champagne as the number one in the UK, which was a pretty remarkable achievement for a small quality-first house. Maurice was also a great hunter and fisherman. His tastes in champagne were as robust as his field pursuits, for during his time the wines were dominated by Pinot Noir: he seemed to have little love for Chardonnay, which he described as "la flotte" (water). The big bouncy flavours of old-style Pol Roger clearly appealed to Winston Churchill, who became the brand's greatest fan. His loyalty to the house was strengthened by his friendship with Odette Pol-Roger, Maurice's daughter-in-law and a great Anglophile, after whom he named one of his racing fillies.

Pol Roger champagnes are now much more Chardonnayesque in flavour, the style shaped by the 80 hectares/198 acres of vineyards around Epernay and along the northern Côte des Blancs, which the firm started to acquire in the mid 1950s. Several of these vineyards - especially those in Mardeuil, Epernay, Pierry, Cuis, and Chouilly - produce, I reckon, quite forward, beautifully fragrant wines, which is the quintessential PR touch. The wines are also extremely fresh but age exceptionally well, thanks to the firm's excellent chef de caves James Coffinet who used to work for Billecart-Salmon.

The non-vintage White Foil is a classic assemblage of all three champagne grapes in equal proportions. It is a fine example of the house style, light but structured, fresh yet ripe and fruity, and ready to drink. The Sec is of identical composition but with a slightly higher dosage. The vintage 1986 Extra Dry is a 60/40 mix of Pinot Noir Chardonnay, the latter dominating the aromas but with a big expansive Pinot flavour and a very long finish. The vintage-dated Blanc de Chardonnay is usually one of the most beguiling blanc de blancs on the market. The 1985 was a lovely wine of lace-like delicacy with aromas of hawthorn; the 1986 initially looked less impressive but at a recent tasting (March 1994) blossomed into a champagne of refined richness. The vintage-dated Rosé is also worth seeking out; light salmon-pink in colour, it has a positive Pinotesque red fruits smell but is "lifted" by good proportion of Chardonnay. At the top of the range there are two prestige cuvées. The Réserve Speciale PR 1986 is made from equal parts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from six grands crus; a wine of finesse, depth and real complexity. The grape composition of the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is not disclosed but it is almost certainly greatly dominated by Pinot Noir (as much as 70 or 80 per cent, perhaps). This is a very big champagne of which the old war lord would have certainly approved. Some tasters note a delicacy and smell of lilacs in the 1985 vintage; I am more struck by its power and the need to keep it until 1997-98.

Pommery

Pommery is the sleeping giant of the champagne world, a firm with a fascinating past but one which has never quite realized its full potential in the post-1945 world.

Founded in 1836, the firm achieved greatness under a famous champagne widow, Louise Pommery, who took control on the death of her husband in 1858. "Qualité d'abord" ("Quality first") was Madame Pommery's motto. She decided to concentrate on the English market. Her intention was to produce champagne in as delicate, fine and dry a style as possible. Her legendary 1874 vintage, which took Victorian London by storm, was the first genuinely Brut or dry champagne as we would understand the term, with a dosage of just 6-9 grammes of sugar per litre.

Madame Pommery's boldest move was the acquisition of a large area of land on the outskirts of Reims covering 120 Roman chalk pits. Above these she built a series of hideous edifices, their design based, it is said, on the baronial mansions of her aristocratic English customers. The Roman pits below she used as storage cellars, decorating them with beautiful sculpted bas-reliefs, all connected by a network of 18 kilometres/11 miles of galleries and passages. These magnificent cellars can be visited every day of the week. American visitors will be interested in the splendid carved blending cask in the reception hall, with a capacity of 100,000 bottles, which was sent by the firm to St Louis, Missouri, for the Universal Fair of 1904. The carved figures on the cask depict Franco-American friendship.

Pommery's 307 hectares/759 acres of vineyards are among the largest of any firm's in Champagne. There are particularly fine ones on the Montagne de Reims. Nearly every cru has 100 per cent echelle des crus rating. Yet these only account for about one-third of the firm's needs. And since LVMH acquired Pommery in 1990, the company has decided to go for volume sales, hoping to reach 8 million bottles a year by 1996. This will make it less dependent on the magnificent vineyards which are the firm's greatest assets and source of profit. A sure-fire way, some might say, of killing a brand.

Worrying as this trend is, in fairness I have to say that Pommery's wines have improved in recent years, thanks to its talented chef de caves, Prince Alain de Polignac. The Brut Royal (non-vintage), a classic mix of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, is an intricate assembly of 30 to 40 crus with a good amount (20 per cent) of reserve wines in the blend. Released after three to four years in a bottle, it is a friendly easy-drinking champagne of broad fruitiness, though the dosage seems quite high. The Vintage Brut 1988 (60 per cent Chardonnay, 50 per cent Pinot Noir) is a fine, delicate wine with real purity of fruit - a de Polignac signature - while the prestige Cuvée Louise Pommery 1985 is first-rate. It is sourced from the firm's grand cru holdings in Cramant and Avize for Chardonnay, and Ay for Pinot Noir. It has a lovely floral note on the nose, and in the mouth is rich, and long-flavoured, but perfectly balanced. This is a house capable of achieving a two-star rating, though a question mark must hang over future quality in view of its over-rapid sales growth.

Alain Robert

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger - site of Alain Robert's grand cru vineyards - is probably the best village on the Côte des Blancs for making Blanc de Blancs champagne.

Alain Robert is the current head of an old family of growers who came to Le Mesnil in the 17th century. He owns 12 hectares/30 acres of grand cru vineyards in seven villages of the Côte des Blancs. Robert's champagnes are made entirely from Chardonnay, and though they do not carry a vintage year they are in fact, wines from a single year. The Blanc de Blancs Brut is a blend of wines from his vineyards in the 1985 vintage; it has lots of Chardonnay character and a nice touch of maturity, but lacks a little finesse. The Blanc de Blancs Sélection (1986 vintage) is finer and more delicate and comes from Robert's better vineyards. Le Mesnil (1982) strikes a perfect balance between mellow richness and exquisite elegance. Blanc de Blancs champagne does not come any better than this.

Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer is a very great champagne house and also one of the most profitable. Its great brand, Cristal, is probably the most sought-after prestige cuvée in the world at the moment.

Roederer's high reputation and financial soundness rest on a near self-sufficiency in grapes from its 180 hectares/445 acres of vineyards, controlled sales, and its one great brand.
The first Louis Roederer, who was born in Alsace, joined his uncle's champagne business at Reims in 1827, and six years later inherited the firm. Young Louis's early prospecting of foreign markets paid dividends. By the time of his death in 1870, the firm had become the third largest shipper of champagne to the USA, and it was soon to challenge Veuve Clicquot's dominance of the Russian market. For in 1876, at the request of Tsar Alexander II, the now famous Cristal was specially created to satisfy the imperial sweet tooth. It was presented in a clear lead-crystal bottle exclusively for Alexander's use. With the October Revolution of 1917, the firm's Russian market collapsed, but its fortunes were revived in 1932 by another of the industry's strong-willed widows, Camille Olry-Roederer, who led the company for 42 years and developed the brand very successfully with unusual showmanship. While she was looking for a new market, she would enter one of her champion trotters in a race and then throw a lavish victory party afterwards. The name of her champagne would be on everyone's lips for months. It was Madame Roederer who shrewdly bought the firm's vineyards in the 1930s. She died in 1975, leaving the company to her daughter, Madame Claude Rouzaud. It is now run by her grandson, Jean-Claude, a trained oenologist the proud of it.

Jean-Claude is a perfectionist, for whom the wine is more important than the bubbles. He restricted the amount of champagne produced because he wanted as much control as possible over the grapes. "Seventy per cent of the quality of our wines comes from our own vineyards," he says, "so if you have to buy in poor grapes, you often have to grip the table when you drink the finished champagne."

The Roederer vineyards are exceptionally well sited (averaging 98 per cent on the cru echelle) and intelligently spread across the three classic champagne districts: on the Montagne de Reims at Verzenay, Verzy and Louvois; in the Grande-Vallée de la Marne at Cumières, Hautvillers and Ay; and on the Côte des Blancs at Chouilly, Cramant and Avize, Le Mesnil and Vertus. In the cellars at Reims, the attention to the smaller details of fine wine-making is very impressive. All the wines are fermented in stainless steel vats of small capacity so that the flavour and individuality of each cru may be better shaped. The really distinguishing feature here is the use of large oak barrels (foudres) to age the reserve wines, for it is the spell in wood that gives Roederer champagnes their honeyed vanilla taste.

The Brut Premier is an upmarket non-vintage champagne, aged for longer than usual (three to four years) and intended to give immediate pleasure on release; its red fruit flavour dominated by Pinot Noir (66 per cent) is probably the best-made grand marque champagne from the difficult year; unlike a lot of the competition, it has real structure and an "animal" Pinot character. The Rosé is one of the most distinctive around: made form Pinot Noir grapes that have been put in contact with the juice, it has a very light salmon colour that belies its rich vinous flavour and makes an excellent match for sautéed kidneys. The newly released Cristal Vintage Brut 1988 is a worthy successor to the 1985; a dry wine these days, it has a lovely toasty flavour, the fruit definition is exceptionally fine and really deserves keeping until 1995 before pulling the cork. In cool Anderson Valley of Northern California, Rouzaud's Roederer Estate has produced a stunningly good sparkling wine called L'Ermitage from the best 1989 cuvées.

Ruinart

This, the oldest champagne house, was founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart, a linen merchant and nephew of Dom Thierry Ruinart, a well-known wine-maker and colleague of Dom Pérignon.

The firm prospered through the politically turbulent Napoleonic era, though the family's royalist sympathies were made clear when Irenée Ruinart, as mayor of Reims and deputé for the Marne, welcomed Charles X to his coronation at Reims Cathedral in 1825. Irenée's son, Edmond Ruinart, was an early prospector of the US market. He was received in 1832 by President Jackson, to whom he presented a case of Ruinart champagne. Nearly 30 years later his heir, Edgar, was travelling to Russia where he had an audience with the Tsar.
Thanks to adventurous men like the Ruinarts, the total exports of champagne quadrupled between 1850 and 1899. During the First World War the firm's premises in Reims were all but destroyed. Undaunted, André Ruinart, then head of the firm, set up an office in one of his Roman chalk cellars and, when this was badly flooded, installed his working desk on a raft so that business could continue as usual. The house remained a family affair until it was bought by Moët & Chandon in 1963.

Of the great champagne houses, Ruinart has perhaps the lowest profile, for this is a brand known essentially to connoisseurs and is distributed on a very selective basis to fine restaurants and speciality wine and food shops. The premises, restored to their austere 18th century style, ooze tradition and the firm's Gallo-Roman chalk cellars (known as "Crayères") are the finest in Reims and classified as a national monument. Every two years the Crayères are the dramatic venue for the presentation of the Trophée Ruinart, the prize in a prestigious international competition to find Europe's best wine steward.

Ruinart champagnes are especially fine and elegant, but they have a mouth-filling richness, and body too, because this is a Chardonnay house of a very particular type. The firm owns 15 hectares/37 acres on the eastern side of the Montagne de Reims, chiefly at Sillery and Puissieulx. The Chardonnay grapes in these vineyards have much more power and "flesh" than those from the Côte des Blancs; hence the richness in the wines, especially at the higher end of the range.

Jean-François Barat, Ruinart's chef de caves, is a very clear-headed and articulate wine-maker. The exceptionally high standards he has achieved rest on the fundamental notion of intricate blending, a compact range of just five cuvées, a low dosage in the finished champagnes, and important stocks of reserve wines.
The non-vintage "R" de Ruinart (45 per cent Chardonnay, 55 per cent Pinot Noir) has four years' bottle age and a fine gentle mousse; there is no fizzy aggression on the nose, just fine floral notes; and it is very supple and easy to drink but with real persistence of flavour thanks to a lot of premier cru grapes in the blend. The "R" de Ruinart vintage 1988 (50 per cent Chardonnay, 50 per cent Pinot Noir) is a yellow-gold colour with a typically ripe evolved nose touched with lemon, but with more complex secondary aromas too. All the power and vinosity on the palate is shaped by the presence of 100 per cent échelle des crus Pinot Noir grapes from the Montagne de Reims. This is a wine with enough character to match a sauced fish dish.

The prestige cuvée Dom Ruinart is one of the best two or three Blanc de Blancs on the market. It is made from 100 per cent Chardonnay, of which 30 per cent comes from the lower slopes of Sillery and Puissieulx. As Jean-François said of the 1986 Dom Ruinart when I tasted I with him, "this wine has the power and body of Pinot Noir in a Chardonnay." It is also wonderfully buttery and fat but extremely elegant. The Dom Ruinart Rosé 1985 is for me the finest pink champagne currently on the market. It is made from exactly the same Chardonnay provenances as the Blanc de Blancs, but with 20 per cent Bouzy Rouge added. It has an extraordinary bouquet, almost Burgundian in its sensual appeal, elegant yet ripe and evolved with tertiary woodland smells, and a wonderfully complex flavour. If it weren't for the bubbles, you might be drinking something very grand from the Côte d'Or. The standard "R" de Ruinart Rosé (non-vintage) is in a very different style, more strongly coloured and with a simple but agreeable red fruits flavour. It is only champagne in the current Ruinart range to be made with a proportion of Pinot Meunier grapes.

Salon

Salon is a story of perfectionism. It is the only house to produce just one type of champagne, always a Blanc de Blancs, always vintage-dated, and only released in years when the chef de caves thinks the wine is worthy of the label.

The marque was the creation of Eugène Aimé Salon, a Champenois born in the tiny village of Pocancy on the plans east of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in 1867. Aimé learned the art of champagne-making as a boy, but he became a teacher and later a successful furrier and politician in Paris. He was one of the greatest gourmets of his day, a member of that ultimate dining club, the Club des Cents, and an habitué Chez Maxim's where he had a table permanently reserved.

In 1911 Aimé bought a vineyard in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger so that he could create the perfect champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in that greatest cru of the Côte des Blancs. At first, Aimé's own champagne was a hobby; he would offer it unlabelled to his country guests at Pocancy. But demand for this sensational wine became so strong that Aimé decided to commercialize it, and Salon was born. Aimé began to buy grapes from other vignerons in Le Mesnil. Only the healthiest grapes were used for his champagnes, which were made entirely from the first pressings and in exceptional vintages. Grapes and years not thought up to scratch were sold off to other merchants.

Salon reached the zenith of its reputation in the late 1920s and 1930s, when it was the house wine at Maxim's. Nowadays, this champagne has a much more discreet image, but it is revered by certain connoisseurs, particularly in France, the USA and the UK, because the perfectionist wine-making principles of the founder are still followed to the letter, especially by the new owners of the firm, Laurent-Perrier, who took over in 1989.
The firm owns 1 hectare/2½ acres of vines at Le Mesnil which accounts for about one-fifth of its needs; the majority of the grapes are bought in from growers owning grand cru Mesnil plots in the village. Champagne-making is very traditional, the wines do not go through malolactic fermentation and are aged in wooden demi-muid casks. Dégorgement à la vole is still employed to preserve the aromas of the wines. The Salon house style is for rich, intensely fruity flavours with (say some) a whiff of walnuts, and strong life-giving acidity (a characteristic of all Mesnil champagnes). All salon vintages need to be aged for at least 10 years before easing the cork.

My own experience of the wines is limited to one visit to the house in January 1994. But I was lucky enough to taste the 1983 and 1982 vintages, both with and without dosage. I have to say that owing to the superb natural ripeness of the grapes in each of the two vintages, the sugarless versions were splendid, and extra brut cuvées may well be released in future years. I loved the 1983 with its firm fresh attack and bell-like clarity of fruit; the 1982 was altogether richer and will probably have more fans, though I found it almost overripe and gamy (in the released version with dosage). Since 1911, vintages at Salon have been declared about three or four times a decade. Among these, the "greats" were, say the pundits, the toasty perfectly balanced 1979; the fine-drawn 1973; the intense 1971 Cuvée "S"; the similarly subtle 1955; and the outstanding 1949. Of pre-war vintages, the 1928, of which there are some bottles in the cellar, is legendary.

Jacques Selosse

Anselme Selosse, who heads this small 6 hectare/15 acre family estate at Avize and Cramant is one of the most interesting growers in Champagne.

A serious-minded fellow, turning 40, Anselme Selosse trained at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, and his originality has been to apply the hand-made approach of classic white burgundy-making to the larger-scale, dare one say industrial, world of champagne. So at Jacques Selosse, the grapes are hand-picked and the first fermentation always takes place in oak vats or barriques; the wines remain on their lees for four to six months and are stirred once a week with a baton à la Meursault to give added character to the final flavours; and the champagnes are given up to eight years' bottle age before being disgorged - by hand of course. One of Anselme's innovations has been his introduction of a solera system for the reserve wine. In this system one-third of the reserve wine is drawn off for use in the non-vintage cuvée, and replaced by wine from the current vintage, so producing a reserve wine of increasing complexity. The results are wines of inimitable vinosity and original flavours that extend the taste spectrum of champagne.

All Selosse champagnes are made from 100 per cent Chardonnay grapes, are emphatically dry, and reflect the minerally chalky soil of Avize in their flavour. What puts them into the top league is their Meursault-like gras tastes, which are always beautifully balanced and never militate against finesse.

A good introduction to the house style is the Tradition Blanc de Blancs, which has finesse and richness in equal measure and just the right amount of dosage to ease its definite dryness. The Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs is for aficionados of bone, bone dry, sugarless champagne. It is a truly impressive wine of terrific complexity, but its awesome austerity will not appeal to everyone and it would benefit from keeping until 1995. Selosse also produces a wood-fermented Rosé, at once deep-flavoured and elegant, and minuscule quantities of single-vintage champagnes from 1982, 1983 and 1985. However, all these delights pale by comparison with the Cuvée d'Origine 1987. First released in January 1994, this is Anselme's first cuvée made from wines fermented entirely in new small oak barriques - a fabulous, smoky, less austere wine with succulent orchard fruits flavour, it is a truly original tasting experience. Try it at L'Arpège Restaurant in Paris.

Taittinger

Taittinger's name as one of the most famous grandes marques is a relatively recent phenomenon, although the firm can trace its origins back to 1743, when Jacques Fourneaux went into the champagne business.

During the First World War, Pierre Taittinger was billeted as a French officer at the historic Château de la Marquetterie near Epernay, which had been a favourite haunt of Voltaire and Beaumarchais. After the Armistice, Pierre bought the Château and its vineyards, and in the 1930s acquired the defunct firm of Fourneaux, which he eventually renamed Taittinger.

Since 1945, the firm has become one of the most important new forces in the champagne world, thanks to the dynamism of Pierre's two sons, François, who died in an accident in 1960, and Claude, the current chairman of the company. The firm's post-war expansion has been dramatic. It acquired the champagne house of Irroy in 1973; the Concorde hotel chain in 1975; and, most recently, Domaine Carneros in Napa Valley. The firm also has interests in the construction and printing industries.

Throughout its expansion, Taittinger has been an important purchaser of vineyards, its current holdings now totaling 260 hectares/642 acres in the best sites of the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. These account for half its needs. Although Taittinger is wary about revealing the exact grape composition of its cuvées, the style of the champagnes is strongly shaped by Chardonnay, with unmistakable floral aromas.
The non-vintage Brut Réserve can be a maddeningly variable champagne in my experience: sometimes it has a diffuse soapy taste; on other occasions it can be delightful, with soaring floral aromas and a poised, elegantly defined flavour. When last tasted in January 1994 it seemed to have quite a high dosage, which may give it street appeal but is likely to be less appealing to serious champagne buffs. I have no such reservations about the Brut Prestige Rosé, a subtle salmon-coloured wine of real finesse driven by Chardonnay. With this wine the noticeable dosage seems a boon rather than a flaw.

The 1988 Vintage Brut is another slightly off-dry wine with a nice touch of maturity and complexity. The top-of-the-range Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 1986 is one of the best Chardonnay champagnes on the market, an expansively scented, silken-textured wine which will develop a near-burgundian nutty flavour with age: a marvellous partner for sauced fish dishes like salmon with sorrel sauce.

Taittinger's Collection champagnes are not just beautifully packaged deluxe items - the wines in the bottle can be superb, notably the 1978. the first in this series and decorated by the Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely. In the mid 1990s this wine has glorious ripe flavours of old Pinot Noir. More recently, the 1985 has a lovely design by the American Roy Lichtenstein and the 1986 one by Hans Hartung.

Alain Thiénot

Alain Thiénot is a man who get things done. In his own quiet way, he is one of the most interesting characters on the French wine scene.

A former champagne broker, Alain Thiénot now has his own shipping house in Reims and two fine Bordeaux properties, Château Rahoul in the Graves and Château Ricaud in the Haut-Loupiac where he makes lovely sweet wine. Thiénot champagnes are rather like the man himself, natural, vital, with considerable strength of character. The firm owns 14 hectares/35 acres of vineyards which, although only accounting for about on-fifth of its needs, are mainly in grand cru sites such as Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Ay.

The non-vintage Brut made from all three champagne grapes, shows good clear fruit, is fresh and sprightly but the bubbles are not too aggressive. The 1986 vintage is nicely evolved with a nutty flavour while the Grande Cuvée 1985 is a true three-star champagne. With 20 per cent fermentation in wood, there is real structure and complexity here, but the wine is so supple. It drinks beautifully and is something of a tribute to the blender's art; interestingly for a Grande Cuvée there is 10 per cent Pinot Meunier in the blend. I am less keen on the Thiénot rosés, but the red still wine from Ay is recommended.

Union Champagne

Based in Avize on the Côte des Blancs, the Union de Champagne is the outstanding cooperative-conglomerate of the Champagne region, with a reputation for wines of excellent quality.

The Union Champagne is one of the region's relatively few cooperatives that exports its wine. The Union takes in grapes from 11 sub-cooperatives whose member-growers own prime vineyards mainly on the Côte des Blancs but with smaller holdings on the Montagne de Reims. Remarkably, all the growers' vineyards are classified as premier cru or grand cru, and only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are grown, with no plantings of the prolific but less fine Pinot Meunier.

The Union's vinification plant at Avize is probably the most modern in Champagne, and it has developed a special wine-making technique which avoids the malolactic fermentation, ensuring longer life and vitality in its champagnes.

The Union works well on several levels within the industry. About 60 per cent of its annual production is the supply of still wines (vins clairs) to the grandes marques. These wines contribute to the blends of such prestige cuvées as Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle and Moët & Chandon Dom Pérignon.
The Union also markets about 40 per cent of its production as finished champagnes for export, the best-known label being St Gall, which is imported by Marks & Spencer into the UK. Composed of 55 per cent Pinot Noir and 45 per cent Chardonnay, this cuvée has a fresh green-yellow colour, a lively small-bubble mousse and a sprightly, definitely dry flavour.

The Union's best non-vintage cuvée is probably Pierre Vaudon because of the high production of Pinot Noir (70 per cent) in the blend; it is soft, rich, round and fine, and terrific value for money, selling for about £14 a bottle. The 1983 vintage Orpale Blanc de Blancs (100 per cent Chardonnay) is a splendid wine with and almost white-Burgundy opulence; it recently came top in a blind tasting of prestige champagnes in Paris.

Vilmart

Tom Stevenson has called Vilmart the greatest champagne grower he knows. Having visited this perfectionist producer, I think he is right.

The house was founded in 1890 and is now run by René Champs and his son Laurent. They own 11 hectares/27 acres of premier cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which they cultivate with an infinite capacity for taking pains. They use no chemical pesticides, even getting rid of the grass between the vines with a hand hoe. "Respecting our natural environment develops exceptional flavour in our wine," say the Champs. In the cellars, all the wines are fermented in oak casks, the vast majority of which are large foudres. Much of the range is aged for a very long time in bottle before dégorgement. The result is a brilliant repertioire of memorable champagnes of Krug-like richness, always balanced by exemplary acidity. To give you a measure of René Champs' character, his hobby is making stained-glass windows. Apparently it takes him 200 hours to create a single pane.
The Grande Réserve is a relatively young wine by Vilmart's standards. Made from 70 per cent Pinot Noir and 30 per cent Chardonnay, about one-fifth of the must used comes from premiére taille pressings, as "this makes the wine round and gives body"; it is then aged for 10 months in foudres before being given at least two years in bottle before release - a delightfully fruity full-blown champagne which kills the myth that all good ones are made from the cuvée (very first pressings). The Grand Cellier d'Or, though expensive, is worth every last penny, for its quality is on a par with prestige cuvée from the greatest houses. It is splendidly rounded on the nose with a whiff of pain d'épices, and its honeyed opulence in the mouth is wonderful.
The latest releases from Vilmart are its innovative Coeur de Cuvée champagnes; as the name implies,

the wine comes from the best part, "the heart" of the cuvée. The 1989 has extraordinary complexity and vinosity; the barrique-fermented 1991, last tasted in January 1994, has a strong overlay of woody flavours and I would like to taste it again before judging its future potential. The house also produces good rosé champagnes, the Grand Cellier having more class than the Cuvée Rubis.

Vilmart is typical of smaller grower-producers (récoltant-manipulant) in that their main business remains within the domestic French market. In the economic recession of the 1990s they suffered less of a fall in sales than many of their colleagues in the business.

By Michael Edwards

A HISTORY OF VINTAGE WHISKY & HISTORY OF SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Star rating

* Average
** Decent, if simple.
*** Very Good.
**** Excellent.
***** Simply the best.

HIGHLAND PARK

Highland Park 12-year old

A gorgeous, honeyed combination of heather root, sweet spices, fruit peel/marmalade and a drift of peat smoke. A seductive dram that mixes butter tablet, dried herbs and heather-honey, all bound together by that wispy peat smoke. ****(*)

Highland Park 18-year-old 43% ABV

Soft, with dried fruit, butter tablet and sherry. Silky smooth, rich and complex. Slightly sweeter than the 12-yar-old, with some chocolate, heather, polished wood and Moorish spices. Complex and rewarding. *****

PULTENEY

Old Pulteney 12-year-old

Huge nose of oilskins, leather/wax, peach and coconut chocolate. Coats the mouth and has great weight. Mellows into honeycomb, ripe peach and a salty tang on the finish. ****

Old Pulteney 15-year-old 60% ABV

Rich leather/beeswax nose with a touch of prune. Sweeter than the 12-year-old, but just as unctuous with that signature ozone prickle. ***(*)

CLYNELISH

Clynelish 14-year-old

Perfumed but robust nose, with waxed jackets/honeycomb, seashells, a hint of peat and sea breeze. Sweet Moroccan spices. A wonderful mix of beeswax, sea-spray and mellow, ripe fruit. Superb. ****

Brora 21-year-old 56.9% ABV

That beeswax still comes through, but there is more peat smoke/autumn bonfires. A chewy start, then a volley of lightly smoked flavours: sweet spices, oil, heather, lanolin and sea breeze. ****(*)

GLENMORANGIE

Glenmorangie 10-year-old

The benchmark distillery style: pear drops, light orange and citrus fruit, light spice and a crisp note. Delicate but with a good, smooth and soft body. ***

Glenmorangie 15-year-old finished in new wood 43% ABV

Crème Brûlée, orange peel and vanilla. Light spice and a hint of sooty wood. A mix of bracing air and vanilla on the finish. ***(*)

Glenmorangie Cellar 13 aged in first-fill casks

A fragrant nose with apple blossom, fresh pear, ozone and lemon icing. Soft and long, with a great mix of blossom-like top notes, a creamy palate and a salty tang on the end. Brilliant. ****

Finishes all 43% ABV

Port wood (****) has touches of anise, red fruit spices and a long rosehip syrup finish; Sherry Wood (***) has full-on oloroso notes, tending to nut and spice with some cake mix and pear; and Madeira Wood (****) is a fascinating mix of dried mushroom, spice and charred wood ending with a salty tang.

BALBLAIR

Balblair 16-year-old

Fresh nose, with dried apple, malt, soft fruits and clover. A pleasant mix of sweet vanilla, toffee cream and a crisp, slightly salty, crunchy finish. ***

Balblair Elements no age

Fresh, biscuity nose with touches of sandalwood. Soft palate, with a smooth vanilla pod/buttery quality. Uncomplicated, but highly drinkable. ***

Dalmore 12-year-old

A big, bracing aroma, with blackcurrant sweetness behind. A rich start, then complex flavours fizz across the palate: orange, heather, smoke and black fruits. ***(*)

GLEN ORD

Glen Ord 12-year-old

Freshly turned earth, sultana and cake mix/malt on the nose. Clean and smooth on the palate, with some clootie dumpling, sugared almond and spice balancing the sherry wood. **(*)

GLEN MORAY

Glen Moray Chardonnay finish no age statement

Mix of Vanilla slice/milkshake, with spice and green apple. A mix of creamy wood and spicy, estery spirit. Do not dilute. **

Glen Moray 12-year-old Chenin Blanc

An aromatic blend of lemon, vanilla and bran/hay on the nose. Lively, with a spicy, white pepper lift underpinned by soft, lightly-honeyed fruit. **

Glen Moray 16-year-old Chenin Blanc

Grassy notes, with some ripe malty notes and spices. A spicy, appley palate with a lick of golden syrup. **

LONGMORN AND GLEN GRANT

Glen Grant no age statement

Pale colour. Lime peel, lychee and ginger on the nose and palate. Simple, a good mixer. *

Glen Grant 10-year-old

Pale, with crisp cereal and biscuit aroma. A touch of fennel, lemon and hay lofts. Good, with a crisp, nutty finish, but still very young. Look for the older bottlings from Gordon & Macphail, as this is a malt that needs time.

GLENROTHES

Glenrothes 1987 43% ABV

A charming, gentle nose with bran/cereal notes, vanilla slice, walnut and sultana. Subtle, sweet and chewy, with some high lemon icing/ginger notes. Very attractive. ***(*)

STRATHISLA

Strathisla 12-year-old

Complex nose of lime, nutmeg, muesli and apricot. Rich and mellow with a weighty, substantial palate mixing crisp acidity, dry hay and mellow fruits. ****

SPEYBURN

Speyburn 10-year-old

Lightly floral, with a touch of nutty wood and honey. A fruity dram with good weight of ripe apple, roast hazelnut and light clover honey. Charming stuff. ***

MORTLACH

Mortlach 16-year-old 43% ABV

A massive nose: meaty, smoky and leathery, with touches of beeswax, prune and palo cortado sherry. It oozes along the palate, leaving traces of tanned leather, blackberry and damson. Enormous. ****

BALVENIE

The Balvenie Founder's Reserve 10-year-old

A nose of clover honey, jasmine and cumin. Very soft mixing spice, honey, sandalwood and some raisin. Precocious and one of the best 10-year-olds on the market. ****

The Balvenie Double Wood 43% ABV

Sherry notes on the nose, along with dried apricot, honey and burnt orange. Soft and smoky, with touches of date and sweet spices. Superbly balanced. ****(*)

The Balvenie Port Wood Finish

Silky, rich and complex; a stunning mix of red jelly fruit, guava, orange peel and honey. Magnificent. *****

GLENFIDDICH

Glenfiddich Special Reserve

Hay-like and grassy, with some pear. A sweet start, with a touch of peanut butter on the finish. *

Glenfiddich 12-year-old

A malty/oatcake nose with some grassiness. Sweet in the mouth with a mix of white chocolate and gorse. A spicy, creamy little number with a tingling finish. ***(*)

Glenfiddich 15-year-old Solera Reserve

A mix of dried fruits and milk chocolate on the nose. Touch of fruit and some walnut/orange sherry notes. Crisp, with a finish of fresh raspberries, chocolate and cream. **

Glenfiddich Ancient Reserve 18-yea-old

A waft of cereal/bran notes and some sherry wood. A little peat smoke and mocha. The finish has a hint of caramel. ***

Glenfiddich Millennium Reserve 21-year-old

Lovely nose of fresh flowers, nuts and ripe red plums. Soft and quite chocolatey to start; velvety, with a mix of vanilla pod and coffee bean of the very long finish. Subtly charming. ***(*)

THE MACALLAN

The Macallan 12-year-old

A savoury mix of fresh coffee, incense, autumn bonfires and Seville oranges. The palate has barbecue wood, smoke, dried fruit and nuts and lemon marmalade. A cracking youngster. ****

The Macallan 18-year-old distilled 1979

Amber colour, with richly aromatic nose of heather blossom, chestnut, orange, pine resin and allspice. Slightly oily on the palate. Fragrant but muscular - like a drag queen. *****

The Macallan Gran Reserva

Liquorice, prune and lapsang suchong on the nose, along with a strange lift of pink grapefruit and clove. Huge, but the wood is a little too dominant. ***

The Macallan 30-year-old

Ripe and powerful, with orange and ginger marmalade, smoke, allspice, clove and bergamot. Filled with mellow autumnal fruitfulness. ****(*)

ABERLOUR

Aberlour 10-year-old 43% ABV

Burnt toffee/treacle on the nose. Sweet as toffee. ***

Aberlour 15-year-old 43% ABV

Light nuttiness with currant leaf, flowers, raisin and mint. Clean, with a mix of cedar wood and creamy toffee on the finish. Very good. ****(*)

Aberlour 18-year-old sherry matured 43% ABV

Fruit and nuts, with a hint of tablet and peat smoke. A sweet start, but increasingly savoury and tannic in the mouth, with hints of chestnut and walnut. ***(*)

Aberlour a 'bunadh no age statement 59.6% ABV

Fragrant mix of bonfires, mint leaf, burnt orange peel and a coffee/toffee finish. A beauty. ****

CARDHU

Cardhu 12-year-old

Light and faintly meadow-like, with a hint of lemon peel. Sweet-tasting with a lick of cream, but pretty short. **

TAMDHU

Tamdhu no age statement

A crisp, straw-like green nose. Crisp yet mellow. *

KNOCKANDO

Knockando 1986 bottled 1998

A mix of grass, meal and apple blossom on the nose. Slightly acidic on the palate. Very drinkable. **

GLENFARCLAS

Glenfarclas 105 60% ABV

Juicy, muscated nose with some butter. The alcohol is a little too obvious, throwing it out of balance. **(*)

Glenfarclas 10-year-old

Pine needles, spicily aromatic. A muscular, rich core but on the drier side of the family. ***

Glenfarclas 15-year-old

Great mix of polished wood, malt loaf, peat smoke and sweet fruit. Powerful, robust and rich. ****

Glenfarlcas 30-year-old

Sweet, pruney nose with a touch of rancio - fruit peet, nuts (roasted almond/walnut) and mushroom. Some bitter Seville orange fruit and a powerful, huge finish. ****

CRAGGANMORE

Cragganmore 12-year-old

A complex, aromatic nose of fresh fruit, heather honey, pencil shavings, sweet malt and a hint of smoke. Unfolds across the palate in a flowing fusion of constantly changing flavours. Marvellous. *****

Cragganmore Distillers Edition Port Wood Finish

Rich, gorgeously ripe autumnal nose with sweet wild fruits (sloe berry, plum), wine gums and rich malty notes. Massively complex palate. ****(*)

GLENLIVET

The Glenlivet 12-year-old

Restrained and light, with some flowers and crisp nuts. Pretty. **(*)

The Glenlivet Archive 43% ABV

Wonderful nose of wholemeal bread, heather, ginger, butterscotch, dried mushroom and ripe pear/quince. Silky and mellow. ***(*)

The Glenlivet 18-year-old 43% ABV

A classic: aromatic, with hints of demerara sugar, flowers, pear and apple, anise, sandalwood and gentle peat smoke. Long and fruit-filled. A superb, complex dram. *****

GLEN GARIOCH

Glen Garioch 8-year-old

Some turfy/peaty notes, with bonfires and a hint of sherry. Smoky, roasted flavour with a lick of ginger on the finish. ***

Glen Garioch 15-year-old

Pungent, intense mix of fresh ginger, fabrick conditioner and leather car upholstery. ***

ARDMORE

Ardmore 1981 Gordon & Macphail bottling.

Robust nose, with smoke, dried fruit and some cream. The palate is richly layered with smoke, malt and a teasingly spicy finish. ***
For reasons best known to themselves Allied Domecq has yet to bottle Ardmore as a single malt - though rumours of a policy change persist. Thankfully, the independent bottlers have always managed to get their hands on some.

ROAYAL LOCHNAGAR

Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve 43% ABV

Mahogany in colour. The nose mixes treacle, raisin, chestnut honey with some meat juice/roasting tin notes. Rich, deep flavour - all in all a powerful bugger, ripe and chewy, with layers of Dundee cake/raisin and plenty of sherry notes. ****

DALWHINNIE

Dalwhinnie 15-year-old 43% ABV

Peachy, floral nose with light heather honey. Gentle, but broadens in the mouth - showing honey, malt and a tickle of smoke. Surprising weight for an apparently gentle dram. ***

Dalwhinnie Distiller's Edition Oloroso finish

Rounded, honeyed nose with cake mix, sultana and a hint of sulphur. Long and sweet with a hint of smoke. The 15-year-old's plumper cousin. ***

Dalwhinnie 15-year-old Cask Strength 56.1% ABV

Mead-like nose (cooked apple and honey) with heathery notes. A mix of crisp malt ginger and preserved lemon, with a long heather-honey/barley-sugar finish. Excellent. ***(*)

EDRADOUR

Edradour 10-year-old

(Edradour has recently been relaunched. This is the old expression with the watercolour label.)
A little boiling milk on the nose, which fades to reveal leaf, nut, dried fruit, grass and some cedar wood, and light-tanned leather/oil. A silky texture, with flavours starting on the nutty side and moving to a buttery finish. Attractive. ***

Edradour 10-year-old (new style)

Amber/mahogany colour. A nose of coffee cream icing and cream sherry, with a hint of nut and slight oiliness. Sweet and silky. Bigger than the old style, and a bit heavy on the sherry. **

GLENTURRET

Glenturret 12-year-old

Mix of grass, green grape and nut on nose. Touch of cereal and apple blossom. Pleasant. ***

Glenturret 15-year-old

The delicately complex nose shows a bouquet of flowers with fresh pear, sandalwood, canvas and nut. Unfolds in the mouth to a long, silky-red fruit finish. A little-known classic. ****(*)

Glenturret 18-year-old

A hint of mint, cream and apple. Rounded, with a mix of flowers, nuts and a little smoke on the finish. ***(*)

GLENGOYNE

Glengoyne 10-year-old

A fresh mix of grass, butter churns and malt. A very clean, smooth mix of gentle malt and cream. Very attractive. ***

OBAN

Oban 14-year-old 43% ABV

As fresh as a sea breeze. Softly smoky, rounded with some attractive dog rose aromas. Clean and fresh. ***

Oban Distiller's Edition Montilla Fino finish 43% ABV

A fat nose with a hint of ozone and a whiff of lanolin. Mellow and lightly salted. ***

BEN NEVIS

Ben Nevis 10-year-old 46% ABV

Huge vanilla/orange aroma with some smoky/mossy notes. The palate is big and muscular, mixing dried spices, rounded nutty/chocolate notes and vanilla. A powerful beast. ***

TALISKER

Talisker 10-year-old 45.8% ABV

Powerful, pungent nose filled with peat smoke, charred heather, ozone and rich fruit. It explodes onto the palate, balancing mellow fruit with salty flavours and a tingle of pepper on the finish. ****

Talisker Distillers Edition Amoroso finish 45.8% ABV

Good peat smoke nose overlaid with treacle/muscated notes. There's some heather and chocolate but Talisker's natural rumbustiousness is swaddled up against the cold. Sweet and ripe with glints of fruit cake, heather root and pepper. ***(*)

Talisker Cask Strength limited edition

Lustrous, almost amber. Complex nose: juicy fruit (dried and overripe) with a touch of tar and leather, even a whiff of iodine. The peat gives a lightly smoky lift. Powerful, with the smoke smouldering around the rich fruit and a long, dry, sooty/savoury finish. ****(*)

JURA

Isle of Jura 10-year-old

Round and malty. Straw, lemon peel, fresh barley and butter. Sweet, with a prickle of sea air and a touch of peachy fruit. **

Jura's parent firm also owns the mothballed Bruichladdich on Islay. That this wonderful place remains closed is baffling - and a criminal waste of distilling talent. The 12-year-old (***) remains the favourite malt of the Ileach (native of Islay), but the 15-year-old (****) is the one to look for, with its taste of seashells, fresh flowers and delicately succulent fruit.

BUNNAHABHAIN

Bunnahabhain 12-year-old

A fresh nose, with light salt/brine. Clean and creamy, with light smoke, some sweet fruitiness and a jab of ginger/marzipan on the finish. ***

BOWMORE

Bowmore 12-year-old

A decent introduction, all peat smoke and maritime edges. ****

Bowmore 15-year-old

Is better still, with some ripe sweetness mingling with the light smoke and sea air. *****

Bowmore 17-year-old

This is the one to beat: intense and elegant, it balances peat smoke, Jaffa cakes and fresh malt. A magnificent dram. *****

Bowmore Cask Strength

Hugely aromatic, with a touch of lavender, toffee butter and fragrant, chocolatey peat smoke. ****

Bowmore The Darkest

Proves that peat and sherry can work. Tangerine, raisin, ozone and thick cut marmalade on the nose; coffee, clootie dumpling and smoke on the palate. ****

LAPHROAIG

Laphroaig 10-year-old Cask Strength 57.3% ABV

Ultra-crisp malt fresh from the kiln with layers of tar, lapsang souchong, orange, germoline, and peat fires on the beach. Crashes into the mouth with a mix of bonfires, iodine and crisp malt. Long, smoke-filled finish. Savour and tremble at its power. ****(*)

Laphroaig 15-year-old 43% ABV

The peat has dried down, leaving behind a smooth, oily/creamy nose with hint of tar. Sweet and surprisingly mellow to start, with a slow-burning peat smoke flavour building up towards the finish. ***

Laphroaig 30-year-old 43% ABV

A complex, nose of dried peel, tar and sweet perfume. It's Laphroaig mellowed into old age - all leather armchairs and peat fires. Starts smoky, then fruit, then the tarry ropes/iodine, all building relentlessly before finishing with a burst of rich smoky fruit. Great balance. ****(*)

LAGAVULIN

Lagavulin 16-year-old 43% ABV

An evocative sea-shore aroma, mixing aromatic smoke with marmalade, nutmeg and heather. Complex, with cocoa powder and ripe Shiraz/blackcurrant pastille fruit on the finish, all smothered in a deep blanket of peat smoke. *****

Lagavulin Distiller's Edition PX finish 43% ABV

Subtly sweet, peaty nose with walnut, tar, treacle. The Lagavulin signature a little muted by the layers of rich sultry, sumptuous fruits. The fragrant smoke finally wraps itself round the tastebuds on the long, lingering finish. ****

UDV also owns the massive Caol Ila, whose glass-fronted stillhouse gazes across to Jura. Though peated to the same level as Lagavulin, this is a different beast, more oily than smoky and a must-try. ***

ARDBEG

Ardberg 10-year-old 46% ABV

Astoundingly smoky, yet delicate with a subtle mix of tar, raisin and caramelized apple notes. Robustly flavoured, like someone's lit a peat fire under your nose. A salt-tinged complex finish. It manages to be flavour-packed yet delicate at the same time. ****(*)

Ardberg 17-year-old

Hugely complex, mixing tangerine, tar, fragrant peat smoke, gingerbread and smoky malt. Silky and smoky, with an astoundingly long finish. Superb balance. ****

Ardberg 1975

Sweet mix of fruit, heather and smoke on the nose. Big, almost leathery; then the fires are stoked up and smoulder on forever in the mouth. *****

SPRINGBANK

Springbank 10-year-old 46% ABV

Full, malty nose with some sea air, spice, pigskin and toffee apple. Very smooth and sweet to start then a fusillade of flavours - dried herb, butter, salt, smoke, vanilla pod, moss and flowers. A great package. ****(*)

Springbank 15-year-old 46% ABV

Well balanced between vanilla, crème brûlée, salty sea air burnt range and smoky wood. A silky mouthful though the wood is a little prominent then a splash of sea spray on the finish. ***(*)

Springbank 21-year-old 46% ABV

Amber colour, Peach, raisin ozone, smoke. Fluxing between caramelized orange and salt. Smooth start, then some heather, raisin, clootie dumpling coconut matting and the signature salty finish. ****

Springbank 1966 Local Barley 54.4% ABV

Huge nose mixing coal bunker, sweetly ripe fruit, hickory wood and almost rancio-like aromas of mushroom, leaf-mould, anise and smoke. Explodes on the palate: biscuity, then some toffee, hickory chips, smoke and sea air. A fascinating mix of sweet and sour. *****

Longrow 10-year-old

Attractive mix of muted/turfy peat smoke with a perfumed rose-petal lift. A drop of water kindles the peat fires but always balanced by a lavender/rose-scented perfume. Silky, briny with a rich coal-tar/perfumed finish. ****

FETTERCAIRN

Old Fettercairn 10-year-old

Golden with a nose of freshly turned earth, hay and crisp notes and a hint of sandshoe. Biscuity palate with some sweet malty notes. Clean. **(*)

AUCHENTOSHAN

Auchentoshan Select

Light and lemony, with lots of sweet bran/cereal notes. Light, sweet and mixable. **

Auchentoshan 10-year-old

Fuller nose, but bran is still predominant. Lightly perfumed and more solid then the Select. **(*)

Auchentoshan 21-year-old 43% ABV

Amber, Elegant, with a mix of red plum, tobacco leaf, apple with fresh sweet grass and nut. Almost jammy fruit on palate, with some grass and butterscotch. Silky and long. ****(*)

Auchentoshan Three Wood

Rich, slightly pruney nose, with walnut, chicory notes. Sweet, with a mass of flavours: roast nut, coffee, prune and ripe fruit. Sweet and stylish. ***(*)

GLENKINCHIE

Glenkinchie 10-year-old 43% ABV

Grassy, fresh nose with a little lemon peel livening up the palate. Very fresh and clean. ***

Glenkinchie Distiller's Edition Amontillado finish 43% ABV

Grassy with a hint of sulphur/burnt match and roasted almond. Soft and gentle with an almost syrupy start then the fresh-mown grass gives it a lift. Gentle. ***

UDV bottles two other Lowland malts. Bladnoch 10-year-old (40% ABV) has a delicate, almost minty nose, with a hint of caramelized orange and hay. Bladnoch is up and running again under new management. ***

The triple-distilled Rosebank 12-year-old (43% ABV) has a complex, aromatic nose with green grass, apple, lemon grass and an undercurrent of bracken/hay-accented fruit. Wonderfully balanced, with some smoke on the palate leading to a huge lift of sweet fruit and acacia honey. With the reopening of the Forth & Clyde Canal, on which it stands, there's a good chance whisky will be made here once again. ***(*)

BLENDED SCOTCH

UDV (UNITED DISTILLERS AND VINTNERS)
JOHNNIE WALKER o J&B o BELL'S

JOHNNIE WALKER

The world's top selling blended Scotch started life in John Walker's Kilmarnock grocer's shop in the 1880s. By 1908 his grandsons had registered Johnnie Walker as a trademark, and allied by clever marketing - and consistently high-quality blending - it was soon a world player. Black Label is still the blend to beat.

Johnnie Walker Red Label

The nose mixes light toffee peat smoke and fresh wood notes. Fresh and vivacious, it packs a crunchy, lightly peaty punch on the palate. ***(*)

Black Label 12-year-old

Gorgeously complex: perfume, peat and peaches in honey, soft grain and leather all in harmony. Silky and multi-layered on the palate, it balances a huge range of seductive flavours beautifully. *****

Gold Label 18-year-old 43% ABV

Another stunner: richer than Black, with a hint of sea air and honey/beeswax. A complex palate of iced biscuits, ozone and rich malt. *****

Blue Label

Peat fires smoulder in the glass and lead to a slowly unfolding palate, with all manner of dark truffle flavours: smoke, orange and bitter chocolate. Deep and profound - but is it worth the money? ****

J&B

This blend was created for top London wine merchants Justerini & Brooks in 1933, although the firm had been dealing in whiskies since 1768, and blending its Club Blend for private customers since 1884.
Made specifically to suit the post-Prohibition American palate, J&B soon rose to become the second-largest selling blend in the world, and in recent years has spearheaded the whisky boom in Spain.

J&B

Very pale and delicate, with a hint of sweetness mixed with fragrant malt. Silky green fruits and hay on the palate. Ultra-light. **

BELL'S

Perth wine merchant Arthur Bell started blending in the 1860s, but it was his son 'AK' who first sold the whisky as Bell's in 1904. Still the UK's largest-selling whisky, its reputation suffered during the 1970s when overproduction brought quality crashing down. Relaunched as an 8-year-old in 1994, it is unrecognizable as the bad old whisky it briefly became.

Bell's 8-year-old

Mellow, fragrant nose with good depth of flavour. Some fruit cake, light perfume, leather, cocoa and cereal. Soft and chewy. Take time to rediscover it. ****(*)

BLACK & WHITE

James Buchanan was one of blending's greatest characters and the man who, from the 1880s onwards, brought blended Scotch to the attention of the English middle classes - thanks to his creation of a lighter style of blend, which he renamed Black & White, in 1904. Once a major player for DCL, it's now sadly rather lost in UDV's massive portfolio.

Black & White

A hint of heather on the light nose, with plenty of fresh grain and light smoke. A crunchy almond centre with some mint toffee and a hint of smoke mid-way through. ***

WHITE HORSE

Created by Sir Peter Mackie, the despotic, eccentric blender (and owner of Lagavulin), White Horse always wore its Islay heart on its sleeve, until recently. Now repositioned as a 'fighting' blend, it has been toned down slightly to appeal to a new audience.

White Horse

Some ripe apple and a hint of smoke on the nose. The palate has an immediate whack of turf/peat. Dries out in the middle, then broadens and becomes quite sweet. **(*)

HIGHLAND
GROUSE o BLACK BOTTLE

FAMOUS GROUSE

Perth wine merchant William Gloag started blending whiskies in the 1860s, to warm the cockles of the huntin', shootin', fishin' set. In 1896 his nephew, Matthew, created The Famous Grouse. It remained a little-known classic until the 1970s, but since then has become Scotland's favourite dram, number two in the UK, and is spreading its wings into export.

The Famous Grouse

A fat juicy, succulent nose with a hint of menthol, lavender and a drift of smoke. Lovely weight on the palate, which is sweet, lightly spiced and tinged with peat. ****(*)

CUTTY SARK

First made in 1923 by London wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd, Cutty Sark was specifically made as a light-flavoured blend that would appeal to the American market, even though Prohibition was in force. It was smuggled into the United States by one Captain William McCoy and became so popular that people began demanding 'the real McCoy' as their choice of bootleg liquor.

Cutty Sark

Gentle, light nose with oat, butter, icing sugar and some delicate raspberry. A mix of cream and grass, with a touch of lemon sherbet on the finish. ***

BLACK BOTTLE

Originally conceived by Aberdeen tea merchant Gordon Graham in the 1870s, Black Bottle passed through many different hands before landing in Highland Distillers' lap in 1995. John Ramsay has since reformulated it to be 'the malt with the heart of Islay' and uses all seven Islay malts in the blend. It's a brand to watch.

Black Bottle 10-year-old

Islay personified: ozone, ginger, ripe fruit and ginger. With water, an intense smoky perfume leaps out, then mingles with soft cakey fruit before a blast of salt-spray halfway through. Stunning. *****

ALLIED
BALLANTINE'S o TEACHER'S

BALLANTINE'S

George Ballantine was another of the great grocer-blenders, this time based in Glasgow, who began blending whiskies in the late 19th century. In 1922 the firm started supplying the thirsty Prohibition-struck US - often through Canada, where the blend caught the attention of Hiram Walker, who promptly bought the firm and built the elegant grain distillery in Dumbarton whose whisky still acts as the foundation stone for the blends. Now part of Allied Domecq, Ballantine's is a massive brand in Europe.

Ballantine's Finest

A cream toffee-sweet nose, with gentle grassy notes. Clean and soft with a crisp mid-palate, it's a sound standard blend. ***

Gold Seal 12-year-old

A creamy nose, with hints of smoke and high-toned perfume. Well-balanced there's a light tingle of grain on the soft finish. ***(*)

17-year-old

Magnificent, with soft grain pulsing through aromas of coffee extract/chicory, walnut, cake mix, smoke and lavender. A multi-layered, chewy palate with vanilla, peat and spun sugar. A powerful, seductive dram. *****

30-year-old

Packed with rancio notes: leaf mould, mushroom, floor polish, cigar boxes and Bourbon-like woody notes. Strangely attenuated to start with, it moves into chocolate, burnt orange and a rich peat surge. Bags of character, but a little too woody for many. ****

TEACHER'S

William Teacher was a Glasswegian blender who established his blend through his 'dram shops', which only sold his whisky! A popular blend in England, it was another old-style brand which fell on hard times during the 1970s.

Teacher's Highland Cream

A ripe, meaty nose mixing toffee with good, smoky notes. There's a smoky belch to start on the palate, then the toffee comes back with a spicy, grainy undercurrent. ***(*)

CHIVAS

CHIVAS

The Chivas brothers owned a high-class grocery business in Aberdeen and started blending whiskies (for, among others, the Royal household) in the 1880s. Regal appeared at the turn of the 20th century and was another light Speyside-dominant blend to make it big in the United States during Prohibition. It was bought by the Canadian distiller (and one-time bootlegger) Sam Bronfman in 1949 and is still a major player in the US and Far East markets.

Chivas Regal 12-year-old

Deceptive weight behind the apparently light mix of grass, apples and cereal on the nose. A grassy, almost mossy start to the palate, it crisps up deliciously mid-palate. ***(*)

18-year-old

A magnificent mélange of currant leaf, orange pulp/peach cobbler, barley malt and turfy smoke. The palate explodes with flavour, but always in the elegant, restrained family style. *****

Oldest

The finest in the range. Peatier still, with a rich, complex mix of citrus notes (tangerine, lemon) heather, fruit and spicy grain. Stunning. *****

DEWAR'S o BNJ

DEWAR'S

Tommy Dewar knew what he was doing when he set off around the world in 1893. If James Buchanan was the gentleman, Tommy was the prankster and he soon established White Label as the biggest-seller in the US. When UD and IDV merged, Dewar's was forcibly sold off, and was snapped up by Bacardi. Quite what its secretive new owner is planning on-one knows.

Dewar's White Label

Light, with good malty notes and a touch of lemon meringue pie and honey. Soft and easy, with a lemon/ginger malt-driven mid-palate. ***

BNJ

Named after a fictional character in Walter Scott's Rob Roy, Bailie Nicol Jarvie first appeared in the 1860s, but was reformulated in 1994 by owner Glenmorangie, though it still sports a wonderfully anachronistic Victorian label.

Bailie Nicol Jarvie

Medium weight, with flowers, vanilla, pears and apples on the nose. Very subtle and rounded, bursting with malty flavours. Superb length. *****

GRANT'S

One of the most famous families in whisky, the Grants had already built their Glenfiddich distillery three years prior to the launch of their blend - originally Standfast, now Family Reserve.

Grant's Family Reserve

A fragrant nose, mixing honey/lime blossom, pear and light smoke. Very soft toffee/vanilla start before a good, subtle interplay between malt and grain, a crisp and deliciously nutty finish. ****

IRISH WHISKEY

BUSHMILLS

Black Bush

Sweet, toffee-like nose with plenty of sherry notes in evidence. The palate is silky and soft, balancing ripe malt, raisined sherry wood and rich fruitiness. *****

Bushmill's 10-year-old

Clean and crisp, with apple blossom, clover and bran. Lightly creamy on the palate, with some almond paste and gentle grassiness on the finish. Pleasant and soft. ***

Bushmills Triple Wood

Ripe and full on the nose. A taste of molasses, then some raisin mixed with powerful, plummy fruits. Well balanced. ***(*)

IRISH DISTILLERS
JAMESON o POWERS o PADDY

JAMESON

One of the great names in Irish distilling history, John Jameson was a Scot who established a distillery in Dublin's Bow Street in 1780. It became one of the major names in world whiskey, at the leading edge of distilling techniques and maturation. The Bow Street plant closed in 1971 and now all Jameson's is made in Midleton, County Cork.

Jameson

A generous, soft and slightly malty nose, with a crisp edge. Good intensity on the palate, with sherry notes and a creamily smooth finish. ***(*)

Jameson 1780

A generously-sherried nose, with an attractive lifted perfume. Sleek, but with a refreshing peanut brittle crunch mid-palate. ****

Jameson's 15-yar-old

Elegant and juicily ripe, like peaches in syrup, with a delicious crisp and spicy note on the nose. A wonderful interplay between light spices, hickory, lemon balm and juicy, cakey flavours. Gorgeously complex. A long finish, with Brazil nut/hazelnut, soft juicy fruit and lemon. Superb. *****

POWERS

Another of the great Dublin distillers, John Power began distilling in 1791 and his John's Lane distillery was one of the greatest and grandest plants in Ireland. He was the first distiller to bottle his whiskey and the first to bottle miniatures. His brand is still Ireland's favourite.

Powers

Full and luscious, with masses of peachy fruit bursting out of the glass. Soft and unctuous, with a great balance between soft pulpy fruits and a crisp crunch from the unmalted barley. ****(*)

Powers 12-year-old

Even more hedonistic, with a mix of rich fresh fruit and mouth-watering malt. Almost indecent in its plump richness. ****(*)

Crested 10

Technically part of the Jameson stable, with a weighty, malty nose leading to a broad sherried, even tarry palate that coats the mouth. Huge flavours and a long, elegant finish. ****(*)

Redbreast 12-year-old

The Crested 10 pales in comparison with this unblended pot still whiskey. Has a ripe sherried character with delicious cumin/lemon spiciness to liven the mouth up. *****

PADDY

Originally owned by Cork Distillers, this brand was named after their most famous salesman, Paddy Flaherty, who - by the cunning technique of buying a round for everyone in a bar - not only established his brand but had people asking for 'Paddy's whiskey'. Well, it was easier than asking for a glass of Cork Distilleries Company Old Irish Whiskey!

Paddy

The lightest of the main Irish Distllers' brands; slightly hot on the nose, with a touch of tangerine peel. A nice crunch on the palate, but a little lean. **

TULLAMORE DEW

Tullamore Dew

On the lighter side of the Irish fence. Clean, crisp and light, but not hugely exciting. **

Tullamore Dew 12-year-old

So different from the standard bottling that you wonder initially if it is from the same stable. Ripe, fleshy and rich, this is the one to try. ***(*)

COOLEY
KILBEGGAN o LOCKE'S o MILLARS o TYRCONNELL o CONNEMARA

KILBEGGAN

The original name of the Locke's distillery in County Westmeath, founded in 1757. John Locke bought the plant in the 1840s and expanded steadily until the disastrous 1920s struck. Kilbeggan stumbled on before finally giving up the ghost in 1953. Cooley now ages its whiskey in the old warehouses and has converted the site into a museum.

Kilbeggan

Very clean and faintly grassy, with a touch of camphor on the nose. Sweet and gentle, with grass and nuts playing off each other. **

Locke's

Broader and riper than Kilbeggan, showing a sweeter, fruitier palate. Pretty young, with a crisp and peppery finish. **

MILLARS

Originally an old Dublin whiskey made for one of that city's wine and spirit merchants.

Millars

Fragrant and peachy. Well rounded with good malty, sherried notes. A deliciously juicy little number, with an oomph of fruit to finish with. ***

Tyrconnel Single Malt

Young and lively, with a pleasant clover/cut grass nose and a touch of sulphur. Sweet, biscuity and light, with a lemon-pie kick and cereal on the finish. Young and clean. **(*)

Locke's Single Malt

Delicate and fresh, with some rounded apricot yoghurt/custard notes. Ripe on the palate, with a malty finish mixing grass and juicy fruit. Attractive. ***

Connemara Single Malt

Attractive turfy peat smoke aroma, with some germoline/band aid and floral perfume behind. Seems to split on the palate, with the smoke going one way and the fruit the other, but like all the Cooley brands its getting better and better as the malts get older. ***

AMERICAN WHISKEY

JIM BEAM

Jim Beam White Label 4-year-old 80° proof

Lightly oaked, with some light spicy notes. Clean and sound. **

SMALL BATCH RANGE

Basil Hayden 8-year-old 80° proof

Light and rye-accented, with plenty of lemon and tobacco leaf notes. Clean, with crisp rye mixing it with dark, ripe, nutty fruit. ***

Baker's 7-year-old 107° proof

Richer, with a leather armchair kind of nose and lots of overripe fruit. Slightly biscuity to start with, then good sweet vanilla fruit. ***

Knob Creek 9-year-old 100° proof

Rich and sweet with honey, blackberry and spun sugar. Elegant and super-ripe, with a hint of vanilla and some light cinnamon spice on the finish. *****

Booker's 7-year-old 126.5° proof

Amazingly complex without water, for such a powerful Bourbon - and a bit like a grizzly bear dancing. Huge flavour-packed with raisin, chestnut honey, black cherry, pepper, cinnamon and toffee. Rich and immensely powerful, mixing orange peel, crème brûlée and tobacco/cigar blown along by a hickory wind. Immense. *****

WILD TURKEY

Wild Turkey 80° proof

Big nose, mixing geranium orange peel and dark fruit. Some smoke on the palate, which is rich with light cinnamon/perfumed notes, then a crisp vanilla/toasty finish. Solid stuff. ***

Wild Turkey 8-year-old 101° proof

Wonderfully rich and complex nose of acacia honey, caramelized fruits/crème brûlée, faded roses and dried spices. Starts sweetly then sits heavily in the mouth. Hugely rich, mixing tingling sweet spices, honeyed fruits, vanilla and some red fruit. Succulent, and a meal in a glass. *****

Wild Turkey Rare Breed 108.6° proof

Slightly sweeter than the 8-year-old 101°: more barley sugar/candy notes. Big and honeyed, with a light floral lift. Lovely mix of roses, fragrant spice, plum, nectarine and cigar box. A slow, soft start in the mouth, then a lift of charred wood, honeyed wood and a mix of chocolate and lemon on the finish. ****(*)

MAKER'S MARK

Maker's Mark 90° proof

Lovely, complex mix of flowers, cumin, cinnamon, marzipan/anise, vanilla and light honey. A soft start, then great interplay between silky-soft honeyed fruit, vanilla-toffee and balanced oak flavours. Some chocolate on the finish. Gentle, easy and complex. *****

FOUR ROSES

Four Roses Yellow Label

Gentle and lightly oaked, with fragrant lemon notes. A great mixer. ***

Black Label

Firmer and smokier, with hickory wood, honey and a crisp rye-accented finish. ***(*)

LABROT & GRAHAM

Woodford Reserve

Gorgeously silky mix of bitter orange, honey, smoky wood and a hint of mint. Beautifully balanced between sweet vanilla/honey fruit and grippy wood. Long and utterly charming. *****

BUFFALO TRACE

Ancient Ancient Age 10-year-old 86° proof

Spicy menthol nose: some marzipan, beeswax, vanilla custard and a hint of clove. Clean, fruity palate of tangerine, apple, lemon and a nice vanilla crunch on the finish. ***(*)

Buffalo Trace 90° proof

A rich mix of cocoa butter, cedar wood, honey, chocolate and hickory smoke. Soft palate, the wood showing a little, with a rounded mocha/cigar box finish. ***(*)

Eagle Rare 10-year-old 50.5° proof

Plush, spicy nose with vanilla and some honey. Soft and sweet with light cocoa, honey and black fruits. A rich, rounded treat. ***

W.L. Wellar 7-year-old 90° proof

Fragrant nose of fresh herbs, berry fruits, some tar, caramelized orange/marmalade, tanned leather and cinnamon. Soft and mellow in the mouth, mixing vanilla, coffee and cream. Fragrantly beautiful. *****

Old Charter 8-year-old 80° proof

On the leaner side, with some white pepper, orange/lemon peel and light oak. Easy palate, mixing almost oily honeyed fruit and a crack of rye. ***

Benchmark 8-year-old 80° proof

Incredibly fragrant nose, like warm hot cross buns. Dry and slightly dusty palate, with crisp wood. **

Blanton's Single Barrel 93° proof

Sweet - almost syrupy - nose, with cedar, cocoa, vanilla and plum and lifted clove/lemon notes. Raisins in a cigar box. The palate has ripe dark fruits with some chocolate, underpinned by chewy honeyed fruit. In the precise, well-balanced distillery style. ****(*)

HEAVEN HILL

Evan Williams 7-year-old 90° proof

Graceful, Spicy wood, cinnamon, caramel and a little smoke on the nose. The palate has mixed roast nut, leather and some tobacco leaf, with a fine bite mid-palate. ****(*)

Elijah Craig 12-year-old 94° proof

Rich, with balanced woody notes, spice, smoke and some nutmeg. Chewy, fruity palate and great length. ****

Elijah Craig 18-year-old

Almost heathery nose, with some saddle soap/leather and rich nuttiness. Soft, rich fruit on the palate and a balancing spicy pepperiness. Excellent. *****

Evan Williams Single Barrel 1989 86.6° proof

A leafy nose, with a nice balance between lemon leaf, dry nut, white pepper, varnish, cedar wood, herbs, honey and a touch of sesame oil. Soft yet fresh. ****

BARTON

Ten High 80° proof

Assertive nose, with plenty of dry spice (nutmeg/cinnamon) and some lemon notes. Whipcracks into the mouth, with light caramel fruit and a zap of high-toned rye on the finish. Uncomplicated but fine. **

Very Old Barton 6-year-old 80° proof

A charred, slightly sooty nose with some Olde English marmalade notes. That sootiness is on the palate as well, followed by a short sharp shock of rye on the finish. ***

JACK DANIEL'S

Jack Daniel's Black Label 80° proof

Very sweet and clean, with a touch of licorice, smoke and caramel. A good mouthful with a great, sweet finish. ***

Gentleman Jack 80° proof

Even sweeter, with black fruit and a sooty rich finish. ***

DICKEL

George Dickel No. 12 90° proof

Lightly honeyed, with a little touch of cedar and some basil and mint. Lovely length. Stylish. ****

George Dickel Special Barrel Reserve 90° proof

A good unctuous nose, with sweet butterscotch/caramel notes. Cinnamon, nutmeg and cumin on the palate, with ripe fresh fruit - apple, orange and tangerine. Sexy. *****

CANADIAN WHISKY

CANADIAN CLUB

Canadian Club

Delicate, with a crisp and lightly smoky nose. There's a hint of rye and a soft, easy palate. A good all-rounder. ***

Canadian Club 12-year-old

Gentle, with cream toffee notes. A ripe, soft start with lots of vanilla/custard and a ripe maltiness. The palate is silky-smooth, like chocolate-chip ice cream, with a bite of rye on the end. ****(*)

SEAGAM

Seagram's VO

An aromatic, delicate nose leading into a soft yet complex palate, with some lemon, sweetcorn, malty notes and mature pulpy fruit. ***(*)

Crown Royal

More succulent, with lots of light spice and creamy toffee fruit. Elegant and gentle, yet mouthfilling. *****

KITTLING RIDGE

Forty Creek Three Grain

Light amber in colour, this one needs dilution to reveal a vibrant mix of light honey, dry spices, vanilla, sandalwood and lemon zest. Soft and smooth on the palate before a good zap of rye on the finish. A whisky (and distillery) to watch. ***(*)

Forty Creek Barrel Select

Mellow and soft on the nose with silky toffee/vanilla notes combined with plump rainined fruit and dry spiciness. The flavour is softer and more chewy than the 3 Grain with mix of prune and custard. ***(*)

By Dave Broom

A HISTORY OF VINTAGE WATCHES

AUDEMARS PIGUET

This dual name is on the dials of some of the greatest classic watches ever to be designed and constructed, and, for many enthusiasts, it has the same resonance as the words Rolls-Royce do for automotive buffs. Indeed there are many fascinating parallels to be found within the contexts of the two meetings between Jules Audemars (1851-1918) and Edouard Piguet (1853-1919) in Le Brassus in the Swiss Jura mountains in 1875, and between Sir Charles Rolls and Henry Royce in England at the turn of the century. It is never a surprise to find an Audemars Piguet on the wrist of a Rolls-Royce owner; such a purchaser undoubtedly appreciates beauty in movement.

At the time of their meeting in 1875, Audemars was a maker of dial frames and Piguet was just starting as a finisher. Apparently they stated collaborating immediately. Their trademark was officially registered in December 1882, and by 1889 Audemars Piguet & Cie SA was in business, with ten employees, making both simple and complicated unsigned movements for other local watchmakers and for export to America, where the import tax on complete watches was then very high. The two gifted pioneers continued their business together until 1918, when Jules Audemars died; his partner died the following year. To this day the company has remained in the hands of the descendants of the founders, together with those of a few other original investors in La Vallée de Joux.

Audemars Piguet has always maintained a detailed register of every watch made and sold; thus, as with Rolls-Royce chassis numbers, each product has a unique serial number, which makes a fake watch difficult to pass off (unless to unwary or uncaring buyers in, say, Hong Kong, to whom a ridiculously huge saving is all).
In its early years, when wristwatches were in the first stages of development, the firm naturally concentrated on pocket watches. Today some of them command astonishingly high prices in the auction rooms. The most famous of these are La Grande Complication, of which only 100 have been made between 1915 and 1989; the Grand Sonnerie, the Perpetual Calender Watch with Minute Repeater, and the Skeleton Watch. However, after the First World War had finally established the wristwatch industry, most Swiss makers turned their attention to the worldwide non-military requirements of the market in the 1920s - good design, jewels, beauty, watches as fashion accessories, and so on. Audemars Piguet had been early into the market; in 1909 they made a wristwatch with a minute repeater which was sold in 1925 to Metric Watch Company, New York, then their American agent. Its design is elegant and simple - a cask-shaped face on which no name or logo appears, only bold Arabic numerals, and the hour and minute hands.

Early on, Audemars Piguet adopted the policy of delivering quality watches and complete movements to internationally renowned houses, who could sell them under their own names. Audemars Piguet's name does not appear on the face and, sometimes, not even on the movement. Among the prestigious companies for whom the Swiss firm produced watches in the first three decades of the century were Van Cleef & Arpels of Paris and Tiffany of New York. Novice collectors should be aware that some of the early wristwatches bearing these names may be, in fact, made by Audemars Piguet. Checking the movement number and Audemars Piguet's record book can confirm this.

From the beginning of the century until the 1930s, finished watches were rarely imported into the USA. Audemars Piguet, along with other Swiss watchmakers, provided only movements, usually equipped with dials and hands. These were to be inserted in cases actually made by the importer - the reason being to avoid the very high American customs duties on gold and finished watches. To maintain quality, Audemars Piguet always provided a detailed plan of the case, so that there would be no difference between the finished watch and the original model.

Another Audemars Piguet speciality also dates from just prior to the First World War. From about 1910 onwards, the company, in keeping with current fashions, concentrated on a range of men's and ladies' wristwatches, which appealed to the tastes of their wealthy clientele. One striking, if not to say extravagant, example from these early days was a small ladies' wristwatch, made in 1911. It was richly set in diamonds, with a minute repeater and central second hand; the lugs were also diamond-studded. Similar but even more spectacular was a ladies' wristwatch produced in 1920. This was placed inside a case set with diamonds and measured barely 18mm in diameter. The watch's minute repeater worked by pressing on the diamonds of the case set at 6 o'clock. The owner of this miniature marvel could also remove the watch and insert it into the pocket watch case supplied with it.

Audemars Piguet watches like this now fetch fabulous prices when they turn up in salerooms, but, during this period, Audemars Piguet also produced high-quality watches of more sober design. Catalogues and advertisements show simple watches with top-quality movements, as well as watches with special features, such as digital display with alternate hours, or various complications such as calendars, chronographs and striking cases, the white faces featuring mainly boldly legible Arabic numerals. In design terms, these are timeless classics, as functional and stylish now as they were then. Eminently wearable, with no hint of vulgarity, these are aristocrats among antique watches and very much in demand among those with taste as well as money.

Another charming range from this period were ladies' sports wristwatches. Designed for daytime, casual use, as opposed to formal wear, these are something of a misnomer, since they are not 'sports' watches in the modern sense with chronograph, shock-resistant qualities and so on - although, no doubt, ladies went motoring or played golf while wearing them. Usually in slender rectangular cases, these are undeniably feminine and decidedly chic in the then fashionable Art Deco style. Linear or geometric patterns are inset in the case in shimmering, often brightly-coloured enamel, while, on some pieces, part of the face itself is enameled. Small and slim, these were ma