Check,Please! Chess Dining & Decor
Carman Fruits vs. Veggies Chess Set 1996 King size: Corn: 4 ¾ in.; Pineapple: 5 in. Board: 26 5∕8 x 26 ½ in. Clay and glazed ceramic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
Shannon Bailey Chief Curator
Food, like the game of chess, brings people together. Check, Please! Chess Dining & Decor highlights food and drink-themed chess sets and chess-inspired home decor from the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame. Many of the latter date from the 1960s and 1970s, when American grandmaster Bobby Fischer brought attention to the game through his phenomenal performances on the international and national stages.
With a mission to promote the cultural aspects of the game of chess, the World Chess Hall of Fame seeks to demonstrate that chess is everywhere! Though chess is often seen as a competitive sport and a game of war, there is also a very fun and whimsical side of the ancient game. Check, Please! is an immersive exhibition designed to pull visitors into light, fun, familiar environments decorated by food and drink-themed decor inspired by chess. Perhaps you will recognize one of these vintage items from your own childhood or dream about living in a home surrounded by kings and queens!
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Maker unknown Highball Glasses c. 1960s 5 5∕8 x 2 3∕8 in. dia. Glass Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Maker unknown Etched Tumblers Date unknown 3 ¾ x 2 7∕8 in. dia. Glass Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Maker unknown Cutting Board Date unknown 14 x 7 in. Wood
Paragon Tablecloth and Napkin Set Date unknown Napkins: 11 ¼ x 11 ¼ in. Linen Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
Ruta Chess Pattern Rolling Pin 2020 16 x 2 ½ in. dia. Wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
Leacock Prints Tea Towel c. 1950s 29 x 15 ½ in. Linen Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
Maker unknown Serving Platter and Snack Plates Date unknown Serving Platter: 11 ¾ x 11 ¾ in. Plates: 5 ¾ x 5 ¾ in. Glass Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park Frank Dadd Those Laugh Who Win 1885 11 x 15 9 ∕ 16 in. Paper Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Martha Lasker Hand Embroidered Tablecloth Commemorating the 1935 Moscow Chess Tournament 1935 41 ¾ in. dia. Muslin and embroidery thread Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of John Donaldson Photo by Carmody Creative
Maker unknown Chessboard TV Tray c. 1950s-1960s 25 1 ∕8 x 15 ¼ x 23 ¼ in. Metal and laminate over masonite Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Photographer unknown Family Picture Time! c. 1970s 3 ½ x 3 ½ in. Photograph Collection of World Chess Hall of Fame
Maker unknown Salt and Pepper Shakers Date unknown King: 4 ¼ x 1 7 ∕8 in. dia. Queen: 3 ¾ x 1 7 ∕8 in. dia. Ceramic Two’s Company Serving Dish Date unknown 12 7 ∕ 16 in. dia. Glass Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame For more gift ideas, visit www.shoptwoscompany.com Photo by Carmody Creative
Fine Dining Carman Fruits vs. Veggies Chess Set 1996 King size: Corn: 4 ¾ in.; Pineapple: 5 in. Board: 26 5∕8 x 26 ½ in. Clay and glazed ceramic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative André Breton and Nicolas Calas Wine Glass Set and Board, exhibition replica, 2016, of lost original c. 1944 King size: 9 ¼ in. Board: 36 x 36 in. Mirror glass, wood, glass, red and white wine Reproduction by the World Chess Hall of Fame ©Nicolas Calas Estate, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark ©2020 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Roostery Cocktail Napkins 2020 10 x 10 in. Linen and cotton Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park Maker unknown Salt and Pepper Shakers Date unknown King: 4 1 ∕4 x 1 7 ∕ 8 in. dia Queen: 3 7 ∕ 8 x 1 7 ∕ 8 in. dia Ceramic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park Staffordshire, England Transferware Plates c. mid-19th century 7 3 ∕ 8 in. dia. Porcelain Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Rothschild Photo First Piatigorsky Cup Dinner 1963 8 1 ∕ 16 x 10 in. Photograph Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of the family of Jacqueline Piatigorsky
Rothschild Photo Lena Grumette, Helen and Isac Kashdan, and Jacqueline and Gregor Piatigorsky at the Second Piatigorsky Cup Dinner 1966 5 13 ∕ 16 x 7 in. Photograph Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of the family of Jacqueline Piatigorsky
Photographer unknown Marshall Chess Club Dinner in Honor of Larry Evans and James T. Sherwin Held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, New York October 24, 1951 9 15 ∕ 16 x 19 7 ∕8 in. Photograph Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of the family of Jacqueline Piatigorsky
Dinner Menu from the 1924 International Chess Tournament, New York, NY 1924 6 ¼ x 5 ½ in. Paper Collection of the U.S. Chess Trust
Maker unknown Goblet Chess Set Date unknown King size: 7 ½ in. Hand blown and etched glass Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park
Yury Garanin Chess Collectors International Gzhel Teapot Chess Set 1996 King size: 1 3 ∕8 in. Board: 7 ½ x 7 ½ x 3 ½ in. Gzhel porcelain Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Exclusive distributor of all Gzhel products in the United States and Canada: St-Petersburg Global Trade House, www.FromRussia.com. Photo by Carmody Creative
New York Ball, Black, & Co. and Eoff & Sheppard Paul Morphy Silver Service 1857 Goblets: 6 ½ x 3 1 ∕8 in. dia.; Pitcher: 12 ¾ x 4 ½ in. dia. Coin silver Collection of the U.S. Chess Trust Photo by Sam Watkins Park
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Skandinaviska Etuifabriken - Malmo, Design Phillipp Rocks Glasses and Coaster Set 1972 Glasses: 2 ¼ x 2 ¾ in. dia.; Coasters: 3 3 ∕ 16 in. dia.; Box: 2 3 ∕ 16 x 10 1 ∕ 8 x 1 5 ∕ 16 in. Wood, leather, velvet, and glass Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Sam Watkins Park Swank Bar Tool Set c. 1960s Pick: 8 ¼ in.; Bottle opener: 4 3 ∕ 8 in.; Spoon: 7 ¼ in.; Jigger: 8 ¼ in. Metal and plastic Maker unknown Cocktail Mixing Glass Date unknown 6 ¼ x 3 1 ∕ 8 in. dia. Glass Thin Line Textiles Cocktail Napkins c.2010s 10 x 10 in. Linen and cotton Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative Sadler Beer Stein Date unknown 5 ½ x 4 in. dia. Glazed ceramic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Tom Glenn Maker unknown Coaster Set Date unknown Coasters: 4 ½ x 4 ½ in. Box: 2 ¼ x 5 x 5 in. Plastic canvas and yarn Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Louis Axeman Photo by Carmody Creative Maker unknown Rocks Glasses c. 1970s 3 5 ∕ 16 x 3 1 ∕ 8 in. dia. Glass Maker unknown Food Picks Date unknown 3 in. Plastic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Maker unknown Coaster Set Date unknown Coasters: 4 ½ x 4 ½ in. Box: 2 ¼ x 5 x 5 in. Plastic canvas and yarn Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Louis Axeman Photo by Carmody Creative Maker unknown Highball Glasses c. 1960s 6 ¾ x 2 ¾ in. dia. Glass Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative Maker unknown Wine Stopper Set Date unknown Red pieces: 4 ¼ in. Yellow pieces: 4 in. Board: 6 ¾ x 6 ¾ in. Plastic
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Anheuser-Busch Collectors Chess Set c. 1998 King size: 3 ½ in. Board: 13 ½ x 13 ½ in. Pewter, brass, and marble Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame ANHEUSER-BUSCH and the A & Eagle are registered trademarks of Anheuser-Busch, LLC used with permission. Photo by Carmody Creative
Diner Suzanne Soliman Ice Cream Chess 2014 King size: 11 1 ∕ 2 in Table: 22 x 24 1 ∕4 in. dia. Chairs: 32 5 ∕8 x 16 1 ∕ 2 x 20 in Plaster, sculpey, modeling paste, tacky glue, wood, paint, and metal Courtesy of Suzanne Soliman York Coffee Co. Colonial Restaurant Coffee Bag 1940s 9 ¼ x 3 5 ∕ 16 in. Paper Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame World Chess Hall of Fame Staunton Standard Mug 2018 3 7 ∕8 x 4 ¾ x 3 ¼ in. dia. Ceramic Courtesy of Q Boutique Photo by Carmody Creative Maker unknown Insulated Coffee Pot Date unknown 9 ¾ x 6 in. dia. Plastic US Chess US Chess 50th Anniversary Mugs 1989 3 ½ x 3 7 ∕ 16 in. dia. Glazed ceramic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative US Chess US Chess 40th Anniversary Mugs 1979 3 ¼ x 3 ½ in. dia. Glazed ceramic Paragon Tablecloth and Napkin Set Date unknown Napkins: 11 ¼ x 11 ¼ in.; Tablecloth: 37 x 37 in. Linen Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
TheBrianJ3D Breakfast Chess 2020 King size: 1 ¾ in. 3D printed plastic Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
In-N-Out Burger In-N-Out Burger Chess Set 2011 King size: 3 in. Board: 2 7 ∕8 x 14 ¼ x 14 ¼ in. Glass and wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
In-N-Out Burger In-N-Out Burger Chess Set 2011 King size: 3 in. Board: 2 7 ∕8 x 14 1 ∕4 x 14 1 ∕4 in. Glass and wood Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Photo by Carmody Creative
Check,Please!
Chess Dining & Decor
June 3, 2021-January 30, 2022
Curated by Shannon Bailey, Chief Curator, World Chess Hall of Fame The World Chess Hall of Fame acknowledges Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield, whose generous support makes our exhibitions possible. The World Chess Hall of Fame would like to thank all of the talented and generous people who contributed to this exhibition, including lender, Suzanne Soliman and donors Louis Axeman, IM John Donaldson, Tom Glenn, Christine M. Hrastich, Sam Newman, The Piatigorsky Estate, and Harvey and Teddi Robbins, and Tony Rich, Rebecca Buffington and the staff of the Saint Louis Chess Club. MIND. ART. EXPERIENCE. Related programming and a pdf of this brochure are available for download at worldchesshof.org. Donations support our exhibitions, education, outreach, and events. World Chess Hall of Fame 4652 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108 (314) 367-WCHF (9243) | worldchesshof.org @WorldChessHOF #CheckPleaseChess The mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame is to educate visitors, fans, players, and scholars by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting the game of chess and its continuing cultural and artistic significance. The Museum does not discriminate or permit harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the treatment of individuals with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs, or activities. WCHOF STAFF General Manager Joy Bray Chief Curator Shannon Bailey Curator Emily Allred Assistant Manager James Knapp Curatorial Assistant and Program Manager Brittany Mosier Development Lauren Stewart Ryan Chester
Education, Outreach & Events Rebecca Buffington Brittany Mosier Tara Meyer Kathryn Adamchick Exhibitions Manager Nick Schleicher Finance Norah Friel Cathy Gallaher Gallery Manager Matt Dauphin Graphic Design Sam Watkins Park Sam Balmer
Installation & Research Jim Gildehaus Steven Coplin Brittany Jasin Elizabeth Allison Emily Billhartz Sloan Brunner Alexa Clavijo Christine Cooper Suzi Eberly Melanie Harvengt Erin King Mary McGuire Chloë Olliff Adam Presswood IT Specialists Erik Arnson Jesse Richardson
PR & Marketing Brian Flowers Courtney Suthoff Q Boutique Brian Flowers Lauren Castillo Luke Byrnes Registrar Nicole Tessmer