ALS, one page both sides, 5.75 x 8.25, March 15, 1969. Letter to a friend. In part: “Forgive my being so long in answering your delightful letter…During January and February I developed some bad effects of eye strain and had to cut down strictly on reading and writing. Operations for cataract this year or next, I am told…I have returned to Vienna twice…once for the premier of Die Alcestiad at the Burg…The play was not a success anywhere and I have withdrawn it from the market except as an opera. Louise Talma wrote beautiful music for it. As you may have heard I have become more and more, with the years, a sort of hermit. I’ve had some bad health, but now I’m fairly well, cheerful, and hard at work.” Staple holes to the upper left corner, light scattered creases, and a pencil notation to the top, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a carbon copy of the initial two-page letter, with the return address panel from the original mailing envelope affixed, partially filled out in Wilder’s hand. RRAuction COA.