Hans Geismar Glass Identification Guide + Gallery

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Hans Geismar Ltd was a British company owned by a man of the same name, who imported art glass to the United Kingdom from various countries including Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, Poland and Yugoslavia during the 1940's - 1980's. Hans incorporated the company H. Geismar Ltd on the 6th March 1943. Maurice R. Wilkins was a director at the company during the 1960's and possibly earlier / later. The Hans Geismar showroom was located at Kimberley House, 14-17 Holborn Viaduct, London. At some point in the 1970's, they relocated to 91-93, Gray's Inn Road, London, due to Kimberley House being demolished as part of redevelopment in 1976/77. Hans Geismar the man himself, was born in Germany in 1903, and married Liesel Sara Heineberg at Barnet, Herts in 1939. He died at Haringey, London in 1989.

Glassware imported by Hans Geismar can still be found bearing labels with the initials H.G. and the words "Swedish Art Glass", "Venetian Art Glass" etc, depending on the origin of the glassware. These labels were long thought to be for another British importer of art glass, named "George Hardy" or "Geo Hardy". However new information has come to light, thanks to a very helpful fellow named Kenneth Blackmore, who worked for Hans Geismar in 1962 - 1965. Kenneth remembers sticking lots of these labels on to customer samples, showroom exhibits and trade fair displays. He also still has an envelope, addressed to himself, postmarked 1962, and printed on the reverse with the company name, address and logo (pictured below). The logo matches perfectly with the labels, indisputable proof that this glassware was imported by Hans Geismar, and not George Hardy.


Hans Geismar Ltd envelope with company address and logo

Hans Geismar Ltd envelope with company address and logo.

Hans Geismar Ltd envelope with company address and logo

Close up of Hans Geismar address and logo.

Gold foil <b>Hans Geismar</b> 'HG Swedish Art Glass' import label

Gold foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label. Used on glass from Swedish factories such as Aseda, Elme and Gullaskruf.

Silver foil <b>Hans Geismar</b> HG Swedish Art Glass import label

Silver foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label. Used on glass from Swedish factories such as Aseda, Elme and Gullaskruf.

Green foil <b>Hans Geismar</b> 'HG Swedish Art Glass' import label

Green foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label. Used on glass from Swedish factories such as Aseda, Elme and Gullaskruf.

Blue foil <b>Hans Geismar</b> 'HG Swedish Art Glass' import label

Blue foil Hans Geismar "HG Italian Art Glass" import label. Used on Italian glass outside of the Venice / Murano area, such as Empoli / Florence.

Red foil <b>Hans Geismar</b> 'HG Swedish Art Glass' import label

Red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label. Used on Italian glass from the Venice / Murano area.

Red foil <b>Hans Geismar</b> 'HG Swedish Art Glass' import label

Red foil Hans Geismar "Lido HG Venetian Art Glass" import label. Lido refers to Lido Di Venezia, a 7 mile long barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon.


Below are some examples of glassware with the Hans Geismar HG Art Glass labels. These inlcude Swedish factories Sea Glasbruk, Aseda Glasbruk, Elme Glasbruk and Gullaskruf. Also shown is Italian glass from Murano, Venice, and the region of Empoli, near Florence.

Sea Glasbruk 1970's Swedish Blue & Green Glass Stem Vase

A blue and green Swedish glass vase by Sea Glasbruk. Bears a gold foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Sea Glasbruk 1970's Swedish Orange Glass Vase - Label

An orange and clear Swedish glass vase by Sea Glasbruk. Bears a gold foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Swedish Aseda Blue Glass Jack In The Pulpit/Bone Vase

A blue and clear Swedish glass vase by Aseda Glasbruk. Bears a silver foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Gullaskruf Vintage 1950's Swedish Red Glass Ribbed Bowl

A red Swedish glass bowl by Gullaskruf. Bears a green foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Elme 1970s Scandinavian Orange Cased Glass Striped Vase

An orange and white Swedish cased glass vase by Elme Glasbruk. Bears a silver foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Elme 70s Scandinavian Blue Cased Glass 'Flattened' Vase

A blue and white Swedish cased glass vase by Elme Glasbruk. Bears a green foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Elme Vintage Swedish / Scandinavian Red Glass Vase

A red Swedish glass vase by Elme Glasbruk. Bears a silver foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Aseda Swedish Blue Glass Bamboo Vase by Bo Borgstrom #B5/80

A blue and clear Swedish cased glass "bamboo" vase. Made by Aseda Glasbruk, designed by Bo Borgstrom, pattern number B5/80. Bears a gold foil Hans Geismar "HG Swedish Art Glass" import label.

Galliano Ferro Murano Sommerso Purple & Uranium Glass Stem Vase

A purple and uranium yellow green Murano sommerso glass stem vase by Galliano Ferro. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "Lido HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano/Venetian Red & Uranium Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A red and uranium green Murano sommerso glass jug. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano/Venetian Green & Yellow Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A green and yellow Murano sommerso glass jug. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Sommerso Turquoise Green Uranium Glass Stem Vase

A turquoise blue and uranium green Murano sommerso glass vase. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A red and amber Murano cased glass sculpture bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A red and amber Murano cased glass sculpture bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Blue/Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A blue and amber Murano cased glass sculpture bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Blue & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Cockerel Figurine

A turquoise blue and uranium green Murano sommerso glass cockerel figurine. Bears a foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano / Venetian Blue & White Cased Glass Boat Shaped Bowl

A blue and white Murano cased glass bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Vintage Red & Amber Venetian Glass Swan Sculpture

A red and amber Murano cased glass duck or swan figurine. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Alrose Massive Italian Empoli Blue & White Glass Vase

A large blue and white striped glass vase, made in the Empoli region of Italy. Bears a blue foil Hans Geismar "HG Italian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Red & White Glass Zanfirico Filigree Bowl

A red and white Murano zanfirico glass bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "Lido HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano/Sommerso 1950's Blue Glass Perfume/Scent Bottle

A dark blue and pale blue Murano sommerso glass perfume bottle. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.


Hans Geismar Glass on eBay UK

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Hans Geismar Glass on eBay USA

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