GRIFFITH HUGH: (1912-1980) Welsh actor, Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in 1959 for his role as Sheik Ilderim in Ben-Hur. A scarce vintage signed 4 x 6.5 photograph of Griffith in a head and shoulders pose in costume as William Shakespeare's Sir John Falstaff. Photograph by Dominic of London and bearing their credit stamp to the verso. Signed by the actor in ink to the lower white border, 'Thank you for your nice letter, Sincerely, Hugh Griffith', and also adding his character name and the place and date, 'as "Falstaff" 1964 S[tratford]/[up]on/Avon' in his hand above his signature. VG

In 1964 Griffith appeared at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the role of Falstaff in Shakespeare's plays Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2, under the direction of Peter Hall.