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Hi. I don't know when they started, but they are still very much in business. Google 'SDSSeapoot Group' and you will find that they are based in San Francisco (I must have just about driven past their offices when I flew in and hired a car there a few years ago).
They are also described as an importer for products from Zibo (Shandong, China), who are one of several well known Chinese manufacturers of art related items, and glassware including paperweights.
Alan