WILDER, THORNTON. (1897-1975). American novelist and playwright; author of The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Our Town and The Matchmaker. APCS. (“Thornton Wilder”). 1p. 12mo. Martha’s Vineyard, October 20, 1975. To ROBERT A. WILSON, (1922-2016) owner of the Phoenix Book Shop of New York City.

“Martha’s Vineyard – returning this week to 50 Deepwood Drive Hamden Conn…Thank you for your letter and the courtesy with which you expressed your request. I am just recovering from a serious operation in Boston and am returning to my home in Connecticut for … care. I shall not be able to sign books and ‘deal with’ mailing etc for some time. I am very sorry but again thank you...”

After attending Yale and Princeton, Wilder studied archeology in Rome and taught dramatic literature and classics for seven years at the University of Chicago. His first novel, The Cabala, was published in 1926, followed by The Bridge of San Luis Rey, for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. In 1937, Wilder left his post at the University of Chicago and penned The Skin of Our Teeth and Our Town, both of which also earned him Pulitzer Prizes. Considered experimental at the time of its writing because it lacked scenery or props, Our Town remains popular, in part, because of its humanistic exploration of American life and values. Wilder later returned to academia, holding Harvard’s Charles E. Norton chair of poetry.

Wilder mentions his Hamden, Connecticut, home designed by Alice Trythall Washburn and built on the outskirts of New Haven in 1929 with the proceeds from The Bridge of San Luis Rey. Wilder’s sister occupied what he called “the House the Bridge Built,” and which he used as a home base. It was there that he wrote his last novel, Theophilus North, and the property is listed on the state’s historical register of creative places. Wilder died there, less than two months after writing our postcard, on December 7, 1975 of heart failure.

The ink postal markings in the lower left corner affecting a one word as well as some scattered staining and wear. In very good condition.