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Seetusee was a glassware manufactured in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada from 1960 until 1975. It was inspired by Mexican painting on glass but was perfected by George Hill and Foss Giffin. George Hill was the son of a prominent Portage druggist and was the force behind several entrepreneurial ventures, including the Mayfair Hotel, Mauna Loa Lounge, and a car dealership. The hotel burned down in 1969 but the building that housed the manufacturing facility (which was also a bakery) still stands and is now occupied by a drafting firm.
All Seetusee pieces are unique as they were hand painted, cured and carefully sealed with a pigskin backing with a distinctive finish of gold paint that sets them apart from Mexican pieces. The colours are mixed, exciting and vibrant and have stood the test of time. Like many styles of art or craft they have gone through periods of popularity and decline. Each of the huge variety of shapes are identified by a number (with or without an ‘M’ prefix) stamped on the pigskin backing. The brand (Seetusee by Mayfair Glass) is also named on the backing, either in the form of a stamp or via a sticker label.
Look out for them, they are very beautiful and are becoming quite collectible.
-G F Hill
I have included a number of examples of the colours and shapes available. The colours are absolutely stunning and the oddity of including a gold pigskin back makes these pieces truly unique.
50 comments — Leave a Comment
Is there a market for seetusee. I have one that I may sell. Thanks.
I recently purchased a piece a a yard sell for a dime… How did I do? Was hoping it was worth more than the dime I paid for it! My husband assured me it was’nt worth anything but I thought it looked neat!
As a member of the family that produced Seetusee I am actively collecting. If you are interested in selling let me know. The pieces aren’t worth a lot but more than a dime.
GF Hill
I have a peculiar compulsion for Seetusee, and would be very interested in learning more of the history behind the making & the name. I’ve found very little info other than speculation & what is mentioned here (which has been copied over and over). I’ve put together a little catalog of sales I’ve found online over the last 8 months to track their value over time. I’ve also spent many, many dimes trying to learn and collect these interesting works of art.
Does anyone have any suggestions on obtaining more information?
I have collected Seetusee for the last 5 years. Pieces seem to show up on Ebay quite often. I have approximately 15 pieces and love each and every one. I suspect there are quite a few people who collect Seetusee as the more rare pieces(size, color, shape) seem to go quickly and for much higher prices. The first piece I bought at an Antiques store for $50. This is the most I have paid for any one piece and this piece is also my show stopper as it is very large and absolutely exquisite.
the pig skin bakcing on the one one I purchased is cracked, is there any way I can repair it, I’m worried it will start to tear away from the plate, also, it is marked “guinea pig skin” backing, it has beautiful blue colours, the design almost looks like butterfly wings,
thanks for any info you can provide me with
I own an exquisite piece of Seetusee Leather Art Glass bowl. It is moka chocolate colour with some gold, green and a llittle bit of violet. It is in great condition, only two little tears in the leather. If you are interested in buying it, send me an email. I live in Canada’ Quebec.
The piece with the red (4th) is absolutely stunning! (as they all are) I have one piece that I inherited from my mom. She had 2 but the glass broke on the one. I would love to find a larger plate/tray that has the reds in. Anyone have ideas for me? I fell in love with Seetusee when only a child.
Good Morning,
Wow, it is so interesting to see so many people who know about Seetusee Glassware. Gerge Hill was my Great Great Uncle and Foss GIffin, my great grandfather. It was my great uncle Darrel Giffin and grandfather Kelly Giffin who created most of the seetusee peices, here in Portage La Prairie, MB. Mayfair Farms, where we are currently still marketing fresh fruit and Vegetables is the sole remaining business from the Mayfair enterprises created by Hill. Please visit our website for more info on the history,www.mayfairfarms.ca, I will try to include more. Surprisingly our family does not own very much seetusee and so I am personally trying to find some pieces to collect, but to date only have a few very small dishes. So if anyone is interested in selling, Please let me know. Thanks!
Long time ago I received a gift from my employer when I left the service…….I have 2 pieces a big and un small bowl with a blue background and genuine leather back . I would like to know what they are worth . Thank you very much the number of the pieces are M – 70
Diane (excuse my english but a made my best)
I have 23 and I love them all!!
Are there any resources on how to make pig skin glass ?
Back in January of 2004 I was in touch through email with Karen Griffen who told me that her husbands Uncle George Hill started the Seetusee Glassware in Portage La Prairie.
I was glad to find this site that gave even more information about this family through their own vegetable farm site.
I wish there was a catalogue that showed a listing of all the patterns Seetusee was made in. I have three pieces, M58, M70 and M95.
Two were from my parents who lived in Winnipeg for the last years of their lives and one piece I picked up at a flea market where I live, Milton Ontario.
Nice to see people collecting something made right here in our own country.
Regards to all.
Hello Again,
I just received a broken M59. It’s 23 inches X 11 inches and stunning, but cracked throughout. I now have 4 broken items. I haven’t been able to find anyone who can repair them if that’s even possible. I can’t bring myself to just get rid of them out of hope for future repair.
Please contact me with any suggestions or insight — Thank you.
I have 2 pieces of “Mayfair Glassware” with genuine leather backing. I’m not sure it’s this Seetusee that everyone is talking about, but they are gorgeous pieces (they have no stamped number on the back that I can see, just a gold emblem). My one platter face got broken and I am trying to find out if I can get the face repaired, but have had no luck. Can you help me?…thank you,Donna
If anyone would like to see my pieces, I have them on my FaceBook page, send me a friend request and I’ll give u access to view them. Jennifer Fischbach Calhoun
Love the seetusee…rumor has it that the Hudson bay company sold these wares out of their stores..have an ongoing search with HB archives but wont know for at least 3 months from this post date..today I have over 50 pieces..and still growing…amazing detailing and how virtually all of them seem to blend into each other , one small colour and then leads to another on a different piece..Proud to call myself Canadian and proud to own a piece of out art glass history…
WOW! what great information you have all posted. I live in the Puget Sound area about an hour from Seattle and picked up a lovely piece, a divided tray about 13 by 9 inches, a number of years ago. It is No 65 and is all shades of green and blues with black and gold streaks. It would be grand if there were a catalog and/or a “recent sales history” available. I don’t really want to sell mine but the economy has made it hard for some family members – you can all relate to that, I assume! Good day to all.
I have in my posesion a Seetusee Glassware by Mayfair M107 can anyone give me any more details about it?
I have figured out that numbers somehow relate to the size..for example M72 which there seems to be alot of typically is a 7″ ruffled bowl..ones in the 90’s seem to be miniatures in a variety of shapes but finding that most of the 90’s are small squares, ones marked in the 100’s seem to be divided trays..I dont beleive the numbers on the backs are related to the year. I am trying to get more info so I can create an article about Seetusee Glass so everyone has a clear understanding about canadian art glass. If anyone has more to add please do drop me a line..I am trying to locate the aritst that worked out of the factory but very time consuming. I am also interested in buying seetusee’s to help me complete a resource catalogue so if anyone is wanting to sell their seetusee’s please do send me pics inc. the stamp or label on the back.
I just bought a peice at second hand store M59 because it reminded me of a similar bowl my late mother had that was broken and thrown away. It looks fantastic on my dining room table.
For more info email me…more “new” news about these stunning pieces..Hudson Bay Co. has confirmed that they have no records of Seetusee being sold through their retail stores..soon I will have enough info to create a new website dedicated soley to Seetusee..
Hi from Kent in the UK. I picked up 2 perfect triangular 88 pieces at a car boot sale. Beautiful colours 1 oranges the other green & turquoise. Am so pleased to have them and looking out for more. Happy collecting!
I have had a interest in seetusee since I first purchased a piece at a garage sale in 1999. It was owned by an artist in our small town. My sister, an avid Ebayer has since purchased 12 more pieces for me…paying less than 15.00 each for all of them, I have some very beautiful large pieces. I display them as art. Down to small pieces the size of coasters. The large ones are round, oval, leaf shaped. rectanglue and the smaller ones are round and wavy.
I too had a interest in Mayfair Glass and could not find any info on, I was glad to see this blog after all these years with so much info.
I traveled across Canada, going thru Portage La Prarie CA in 1979
I wished I would have known about it then, would have loved to look up the factory. Where is it located in the town? If anyone would like to contact me for the info on my pieces for their cataloging efforts. Not quite ready to part with mine tho…
I also have a Seetusee wavy glass bowl M69, in very good
condition. Would you believe I found it in a house that was
being torn down!? I spotted it, left in a cupboard. I was attracted
to the deep beautiful colors, I picked it up to see it had a leather
bottom. I knew it must have some sort of value, to me very
unusual. But, I don’t think I could part with it, I love it! One of
my very best finds….
hi…..i have a collection of seetusee plates.numbered over 50….i remember growing up near the plate factory…wondering if a facebook page has been set up ?
i own 6 and love them and ive had them for years I WANT MORE
I have Seetusee No. 78, green with orange. Willing to sell. Wondering if anyone has any idea how many were made and sold over the years?
I have a beautiful bowl green, gold and bronze inside and gold leather on back. It is in perfect condition. I have been trying to find out what it was called and now I know. The red printing on the back is faint, but you can read some of it clearly. Mine is number 64. Caroline
Love it but would like to sell for right price
I have 3 seetusee mayfair glass dishes.
2 are broken–one the glass has cracked, the other the painting has chipped away.
Is there anyway to repair them?
I have a plate for sale M69- perfect condition, beautiful red and some green.
All offers welcome.
Thnx
Lisa
I have a 7″ wavy Seetusee bowl in red-orange-metallic gold colors (stamped 8 2). It belonged to my mother. She received it from a friend in NJ who purchased it in early 1969 on a trip to Hawaii. I wondered why “folk art” from Manitoba was acquired as a souvenir in Hawaii. Then I learned that George Hill traveled extensively and had a business in Manitoba called the Mauna Loa Lounge. Does anyone know whether he had a distributor in Hawaii? KC (2-04-2010) tells us that Hudson Bay Company did not selll Seetusee, but the Mayfair Farms website says they did. Can anyone clarify this? Also, the Mayfair Farms website says that “when pigskin became too expensive [Seetusee] changed to a similar product.” Does anyone know when this occurred and what that product was? Since my bowl is not stamped “Genuine Pigskin Backed,” I assume it has this different product, although it looks like leather. Finally, I want this bowl to have a good home. Any suggestions?
I have just acquired a piece of Seetusee art glassware #97 (square 4″) absolutelly gorgeous, with subtle hints of Navaho red in the background, beautiful turquoise and aqua green with patches of dark lavender purple, and of course, the signature pig skin leather backing, what an amazing find!, and where else would you find such a thing? Why Value Village of course, so be on the look out for fine pieces like this at your local Value Village, price paid for this piece – $2.99
I have a M58, Seetusee, hanging tray, deep reds and blue. Genuine PS backing stamp. No cracks, roughness
Willing to sell. Edm AB
Hey found a piece of Seetusee glassware it is a M77 with a stencil plaque on front I think as a dedicationpiece to City of Winnepeg Commerce prudence Industry? Any info would be great it is leaf shape with a mazing color combo.
I have just bought a piece of Seetusee Glasswear 53 in Scotland I bought it because I loved the colours. Thankyou for all information contained in this blog. Is there another site set up now ??
My Seetusee is 12 1/2 inches in width – dark greenish color with some turquoise and red swirls – number 51 in excellent condition. I was told it was purchased from a Birks store here in Ottawa.
I would be willing to part with it, if anyboby interested in it.
I recently discovered Seetusee and think the pieces are amazing!
What would a piece like the 3rd picture – wavy bowl cost?
Thank you for all your information!
Marian
It is very interesting to see the comments that have been posted regarding Seetusee wares. I worked in the factory making these plates after school and weekends. All firings did not go as one would plan so I was able to have some of the rejects if I wanted and did get a few here and there. The colours were always amazing. It was very interesting employment to be involved with and I always remember Mr. Hill & Mr. Giffin as two very great gentlemen to say the least.
Harold Cress
I have a vintage retro and antique shop in Edmonton, and we occasionally get these in our shop. ( just got 2 in today !) What i love about them is that always different and a real joy to have on the wall with their vibrant colors and unique patterns. They liven up any display and usually don’t last very long. Good going Portage la Prairie !!..
Margaret
Junque Cellar
Edmonton
I just got a m71 which looks like a tray with a blue red yellow brush looking stokes through the glass.. it was obviously hung up as it has a hanger attatched still when i got it.. And an M79 which is an absolutely amazing bowl with gold green red and has wavy edges just amazing.. They are in remarkable shape and wonderful works of art. I got them from yard saling today in winnipeg
I grew up in Winnipeg in the 70’s. My friend Susan Keller’s father worked at Stony Mountain Prison. They had several of these pieces in their home. He was very proud of them because he taught the prisoners how to make them. When I saw and purchased one in a used goods store yesterday, I immediately knew that the “Genuine Leather Back” was pigskin. Mr Keller told me so.
I received one from my mother, it’s beautiful. Are they worth any kind of money, whether it is or not it’s still one of my favorite items. I just wonder if I should keep it on the table or put in the cabinet . They’re so cool!
Hello – I live in Washington, England and own 4 Seetusee plates. I love them because they are so individual, and collect them from antiques fairs and Ebay. I also have 2 similar plates, but they are more sparkly and seem to have a flock type backing. I can’t find any marks on them at all, and would love to know anything about them.
It has been really interesting hearing about everyone else’s plates…keep collecting!
I have a beautiful piece that I inherited from a lady in my hometown at the time of her passing. I was only a child but have carried this piece with me over the years knowing nothing at all only that I love it dearly and have had many remarks on it. I was dusting today and was looking at it and it struck me to look online to see if I could find anything out about it. And here I am.I am just finding out that it is actually older then I,
I would appreciate any information you may have on these dishes.
Thank You
I purchased one of the Seetusee trays at a second hand store in Calgary. It is beautiful red, green, gold and orange M76. When I saw it, I fell in love with the vibrant colors and when I looked at the back and realized it was from Mayfair Glass in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, I was surprised because that is where I was born and I remember the Mayfair.
I have a Seetusee candy bowl M 69 in great condition for sale. I will entertain offers. I live in Eastern Ontario. I can send those that are interested a photo.
I have one that was owned by Paul Rogers of the bands Bad Company & Free. It was part of his personal art collection. If its good enough for the stsrs then it must be good! I personally love Seetusee Glassware & think that it should be demanding much higher prices. Mine is number 90 a stunning Teal coloured piece that is like looking into the ocean or a cenote.
I found a Seetusee numbered M55, dark red, black and green. 13”X10”. From Montreal. Very much interested in sharing information about it.