Registrar

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) seeks an experienced Registrar for a minimum 12-month period. Relocation assistance may be provided. The Registrar will support the WCHOF’s exhibitions program by overseeing and managing all aspects of the permanent collections care, safety and documentation of the museum’s collection, which numbers over 3000 objects in compliance with professional museum standards. The Registrar will also develop a database of the collection using PastPerfect, as well as arrange national and international loans and monitor environmental conditions in galleries. Other possible duties will include assisting with loaned objects for a traveling exhibition.

The Registrar will report to the Chief Curator and work closely with two Assistant Curators as well as a team of Gallery Attendants. 

No chess playing skills required.

EOE

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The anticipated start date for the position is June 15, 2013. Qualified applicants should send a letter outlining their interest and qualifications for this position, resume or CV, and three references to:

Shannon Bailey, Chief Curator

World Chess Hall of Fame

4652 Maryland Avenue

Saint Louis, MO 63018

(314) 367-9243 x103

Shannon.bailey@worldchesshof.org

For Email submissions, please put REGISTRAR SEARCH in the subject line. 

Click here for the complete job listing and downloadable PDF.

Or watch the games and commentary live at livestream.com/uschess

SALES ASSOCIATE/GALLERY ATTENDANT

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is searching for a qualified & enthusiastic associate to function as a salesperson in our gift shop and also perform duties as a gallery attendant. It is anticipated that time will be split evenly between the two functions but this is subject to change depending on WCHOF/Q Boutique needs. This is a part-time position.

The associate will be responsible for the following (but not limited to):

Sales Associate

• Provide excellent customer service at all times.
• Greet each customer in a timely and professional manner.
• Proven ability to sell a variety of products.
• Drive sales by engaging guests on the sales floor, answering questions, offering suggestions, etc.
• Remain current on all available merchandise and research product information.
• Ability to merchandise product in a creative, aesthetically-pleasing manner.
• Accurate operation of the POS system, including data entry, cash handling, and drawer reconciliation.
• Perform general cleaning, dusting, and upkeep as needed.
• Organize and merchandise product.
• Process merchandise—assist with receiving, tracking, and pricing product.
• Execute proper opening and closing procedures for the store—responsible for alarm codes, banking, and deposits.
• Maintain daily logs—daily sales, store traffic, guest feedback, and customer follow-up.
• Update social media as requested.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel preferred.
• Previous experience in retail and/or sales required; supervisory experience preferred.

Gallery Attendant

• Monitor the security of the permanent collection and special exhibition galleries.
• Identify potential risks to the security of the permanent collection and special exhibitions and makes recommendations accordingly.
• Ensure the enforcement of World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) rules with public and staff.
• Inspect artworks on a daily basis and report damage or concerns to the appropriate staff member.
• Assist in conservation of objects with proper handling, cleaning, and installation.
• Assist in moving, packing, and storing objects.
• Maintain tactful interactions and act as a professional representative of the WCHOF with the public and staff at all times.
• Provide accurate information about the WCHOF, the permanent collection, and special exhibitions to the public.
• Assist in preparing galleries for exhibitions.
• Facilitate emergency evacuation procedures when necessary.
• Work evening and weekend events when necessary.
• Move light furniture as needed.
• Attend and successfully complete WCHOF training sessions.
• Superior work ethic—demonstrating a high level of ownership, accountability, and initiative.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and be able to multi-task efficiently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adapt to last-minute changes.
• Be comfortable working as part of a team, as well as individually.
• Punctuality.
• Be able to stand and work comfortably on your feet for several hours at a time.
• Perform other duties assigned.

Click here for the complete listing and instructions on how to apply

From February 1st-28th , just purchase a gift membership for the sweetheart in your life or encourage a new member to join. When you do, you will not only receive our sincerest thanks, but also a $10 gift certificate to Q Boutique at the World Chess Hall of Fame for each additional membership sale.

Q Boutique was named St. Louis’ ‘Best Gift Shop - 2012’ by the Riverfront Times and carries merchandise for all occasions. WCHOF members and joint members with the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis are entitled to a 20% discount in Q Boutique as part of their regular membership! Other membership benefits include invitations to special events such as Member Nights and discounts on programs.

For questions and additional information, please contact (314) 367-9243 x 104 or Kelly.Peck@worldchesshof.org or visit our membership page.

Assistant Curator/Collections Manager

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is seeking an Assistant Curator/Collections Manager to support its exhibitions program. The position will have the responsibility of assisting with or independently curating six exhibitions annually as well manage the collection totaling over 3000 objects. The position will report to the Chief Curator and will work closely with the Program Manager, Graphic Designer, Director, and COO. Additionally, the position will interact with borrowers, lenders, insurance representatives, shipping and transport agents, consultants, and independent curators.

The Assistant Curator/Collections Manager is responsible for preparing loan forms, incoming/outgoing receipts, accessioning objects, executing condition reports, coordinating shipping arrangements and other duties associated with mounting temporary exhibitions. The Assistant Curator/Collections Manager is responsible for unpacking, environmental monitoring, developing exhibition timelines, and installing and deinstalling works of art in collaboration with the Director and Chief Curator.

Accepting applications through January 25, 2013. Review of applications will begin immediately. This is a full-time appointment. Salary commensurate with experience. Initial review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The anticipated start date for this position is February 1, 2013.

Click here for the complete job listing and downloadable PDF.

January’s “Featured Chess Set” is loaned to us by Saint Louis native Phil Natta. With a fascination for the game of chess and a love of collecting sets, Phil is a great friend to the World Chess Hall of Fame as well as one of our enthusiastic Gallery Attendants! 

 

”This 1970’s Avon Products, Inc. chess set was collected a few pieces at a time over the course of a year. An unexpectedly discovered piece in a house I had recently moved into led to a quest for completion of the entire set, aided by antique shops, friends, and online sellers. Most bottles are still full of their original men’s colognes and after-shaves, and some original boxes are also on display.

The sets are comprised of amber-topped characters on silver-covered glass bases, with inverted colors for the other side of the completed set. Interestingly, switching tops or bases produces a completely different looking but equally attractve set, with all-silver and all-amber opposing sides.

The Wheaton Glass Company of Millville, New Jersey made the glass bottles for these 1970s Avon chessmen. Anticipating great public interest in the 1972 World Championship Match that pitted American Bobby Fischer against defending champion Boris Spassky , Avon produced the silver topped pieces in the early 70s, and the amber topped pieces in the mid-70s. The first chessmen created for the 1972 product line were individually boxed and described as “3 oz., dark amber bottles with silver-toned tops.” This 16-piece set represented the “black” chessmen. In the mid-1970s, Avon Products, Inc. again sold several of their men’s colognes and after-shaves in a select group of amber-topped pieces. These opposing pieces, available between 1975 and 1978, were also individually boxed and sold with silver-colored glass bases and amber tops, representing the “white” chessmen.

Plastic figural tops cover the twist-off caps topping the bottles, creating the chess characters. Pieces with amber bases came in colorful checkered boxes and were simply labeled as “The King,” “The Queen,” “The Bishop,” etc. Pieces with silver bases came in tan-checkered boxes and were labeled as “The King II,” “The Queen II,” “The Bishop II,” etc.

Also produced was a limited edition knight, now very rare, with an amber horse-head topper over a clear glass 3 oz. bottle, displayed here filled with the original cologne; it is the discovered piece that launched the completion of this full set.

These vintage Avon pieces are not exceptionally rare, but a large complementary Avon original chess board is, and was only available to high-grossing Avon sales reps, but not to the general public, in 1976. The squares of the plastic 24”x24” board are dark brown with contrasting squares in white. The National Association of Avon Collectors logo is featured on each of the four center squares.”

—Phil Natta

 

Included Colognes and After-Shave Lotions:

King:  Oland After-Shave

Queen:  Wild Country After-Shave

Rook:  2 Wild Country After-Shaves

Bishop:  1 Wild Country After-Shave, 1 “Blend 7” After-Shave

Smart Move Knight:  1 Oland Cologne, 1 Wild Country After-Shave

Pawn:  1 Electric Pre-shave lotion, 7 Wild Country After-Shave

 

King II:  Spicy After-Shave

Queen II:  Spicy After-Shave

Rook II:  2 Wild Country After Shaves

Bishop II:  2 Spicy After-Shaves

Smart Move II Knight:  2 Wild Country After-Shaves

Pawn II:  8 Spicy After-Shaves

Enjoy discounts and offers on select merchandise from Dec. 12th thru Dec. 23rd, simply by liking us on Facebook. While you’re there—be sure to sign-up for our daily in-store giveaways! 

Click here to view all of our deals and stay updated on our daily giveaway posts.

In addition to the great deals and fun, Q Boutique offers a variety of gifts like nowhere else in the Central West End. We have a variety of commemorative World Chess Hall of Fame items including coffee mugs, custom magnets, and the most recent addition—Collectible 2012 Chess Ornaments—and, as always, all proceeds from Q Boutique benefit the educational and cultural programs of the World Chess Hall of Fame.

Like us on Facebook and shop Q Boutique during our 12 Deals/12 Days/12 Giveaways event from December 12 - December 23, 2012. During this time, only customers who have liked Q Boutique (at the World Chess Hall of Fame) are eligible to receive the product deals featured on our Facebook page. These deals may not be combined with any other offer or discount. Customers are eligible to enter the daily drawing for giveaways once per day, with same-day in-store purchase. Winners will be notified the following day via email and announced on our Facebook page.

The Central West End Window Walk kick-off was last weekend, and the World Chess Hall of Fame is showing it’s competitive side! Businesses in the CWE decked their windows with hopes of being crowned the winner of 2012, and the hall of fame is no exception. In 2011, we won second place in the juried category—and this year we plan to take first!

Competitors can place in either (or both) the juried or the People’s Choice category—that’s where you come in! Vote for the World Chess Hall of Fame before December 22nd! Not only can you support your favorite non-profit, but you’ll also be entered to win $50 in CWE retailer gift certificates! How can you resist those adorable chess piece holiday characters?

The World Chess Hall of Fame board and staff would like to thank to our generous donors, members, and patrons whose support makes our educational and outreach programs possible. Because of the generous contributions of these individuals, the WCHOF has welcomed over 15,000 visitors since opening in September 2011 and continues to offer interpretive programs that provide visitors with context and meaning to chess and its continued artistic and cultural significance.

Donations and memberships directly benefit the World Chess Hall of Fame educational and outreach programs. Your gift may also be processed online—donate or become a member with just a few clicks of your mouse! All donations are 100% tax deductible.

To make your end-of-the year gift on or before December 31st, please contact Kelly Peck at (314) 367-9243 ext. 104 or kelly.peck@worldchesshof.org.

Your gift will ensure the World Chess Hall of Fame continues to offer innovative outreach programs that are offered at reduced cost to the public.

Thank you for your support!