Inscribed photograph

Superb black and white photo of Welles in costume as Othello, in front of an Italian set (perhaps painted by Eugene Berman) apparently designed for this Christmas card, with "Othello / Buon Natale" on the banners at the top. Circa 1951. Inscribed in white ink "Dearest Dadda and Hazel: God willing this is the last Christmas in a long time - we'll spend apart --- All my love as always Orson". Maurice Bernstein ("Dadda") became Orson's legal guardian after the death of Welles's mother (when he was 9) and his father (when he was 15.) Bernstein called the young Welles "Pookles" and gave him two most influential gifts: a magic set and a toy theatre.