| Description: | Designed and sculpted by Disney Legend and chess aficionado Ralph Kent in late 1994, the "Walts Cargo" chess set has become a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of Disney artists. The set features Western themed Disney characters divided in a "good guys against bad guys" struggle for control of the Old West in the form a game of chess. Each piece in the set was meticulously designed and sculpted by Ralph Kent, then cast and hand painted in bright cel vinyl colors as part of a very limited set that marries the magic of Disney, the fun of the Old West, and the classic game of chess. Only a very small number of these sets were ever created for sale (rumored at much less than 500). Production difficulties with the delicately sculpted details on some of the pieces and the sheer cost of such a large and detailed set kept Disney from producing and selling many of these masterworks. As a result, the set has become a near-impossible find.
The sculptor and Disney Imagineer, Ralph Kent, was a wonderful human being whose contribution to the Walt Disney Company is immeasurable. With Ralphs recent passing at the all-too-young age of 68 (2004), the Disney community lost a master artist, ambassador, and link to Walt that can never be replaced. Ralphs many years with the Walt Disney Company in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World elevated character merchandise and design to new levels. His careful attention to detail and flawless rendering of Disneys menagerie of characters, in both two and three dimensions, made him an asset to the Company and created a legacy of artistry and quality that continues to this day. From designing the first, limited-edition, adult Mickey Mouse watch to creating character poses, profiles, and models still used to this day, Ralph was both an innovator and a brilliant artist. One of his favorite pieces and one of the most detailed creations that came about from his time at Disney was the "Walts Cargo" chess set. As a Disney devotee and a fan of the game of chess (Ralph was an avid Chess player and member of CCI - Chess Collectors International), Ralph put his heart and hands into the sculptures that adorned each chess piece. Each piece stands individually as a wonderful sculpture of a classic Disney character in a unique Old West environment and as a wonderful piece of very limited artwork created by one of Disneys most lauded artists. Sold |
