Finding aid for the Thornton Wilder letters 6082
Stephanie Cipres
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Thornton Wilder letters
creator:
Wilder, Thornton
creator:
Joseph, Elfy Stoeger
creator:
Joseph, Rudy
Identifier/Call Number: 6082
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1946-1962
Abstract: This collection consists of correspondence between Elfrida “Elfy” Stoeger-Joseph, her former husband Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph,
and Thornton Wilder, 1945-2011. The correspondence of this collection ranges from about 1945 to 1974, which also corresponds
to the years of Elfy and Rudy's marriage. Topics discussed in the letters include opera, writing, film, and every day matters.
The letters provide a small glimpse of the lives of Elfrida, Rudolph, and Wilder.
Thornton Wilder was an American writer and a graduate of Yale and Princeton. He won three Pulitzer Prizes during his lifetime
and is widely regarded as one of America’s great literary talents. Elfrida Stoeger-Joseph and Rudolph Joseph were friends
of Wilder's, who divorced in 1974. Wilder maintained an epistolary friendship with Elfy after the divorce.
Container: 1
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder no. or item name], Thornton Wilder letters], Collection no. 6082, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of correspondence between Elfrida “Elfy” Stoeger-Joseph, her former husband Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph,
and Thornton Wilder, 1945-2011, with the bulk of the correspondence dating from 1945 to 1974. The collection also contains
memorials for Elfy upon her death, and a few photographs. Topics discussed in the letters include opera, writing, film, and
every day matters. The letters provide a small glimpse of the lives of Elfrida, Rudolph, and Wilder.
Biographical note
Thornton Wilder was an American writer and a graduate of Yale and Princeton. He won three Pulitzer Prizes during his lifetime
and is widely regarded as one of America’s great literary talents. Elfrida Stoeger-Joseph and Rudolph Joseph were friends
of Wilder's, who divorced in 1974. Wilder maintained an epistolary friendship with Elfy after the divorce.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
Wilder, Thornton
Wilder, Thornton -- Archives
Joseph, Elfy Stoeger
Joseph, Elfy Stoeger -- Archives
Joseph, Rudy
Joseph, Rudy -- Archives
Box 1, folder 1
Wilder to Elfy
1945 5 August
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder to Elfy Stoeger. It appears that at the time that this letter was written, Wilder was not
aware that she had been married the day before and moved to Los Angeles.
Wilder mentioned his hearing continued to deteriorate after they had lunch together. Wilder says that he wasn’t writing to
her just to thank her for her letter, but also to encourage her to pursue singing. Wilder tells Elfy that she has the talent,
beauty, and grace to sing the works of Mozart and Schubert. Thornton ends his letter with a reference to Wagner’s Meistersinger
von Nurnburg.
Box 1, Folder 2
Wilder to Mr./Ms. Joseph
1945 28 August
Scope and Contents
Short letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Joseph. During the time that this letter was sent,
Wilder was in Miami Beach on military duty and was able to send his letter free of cost. In addition, the war had just ended
in the Pacific theater earlier that month. Wilder informs his friends that the news of their marriage made him very happy.
He wishes them the best and congratulates the couple.
Box 1, folder 3
Wilder to Mrs. Rudolph Joseph
1945 8 October
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Mrs. Rudolph Joseph
Wilder writes that he was very happy to hear that Mrs. Rudolph was dedicating herself to music. He gives her advice and says
that the best thing one can do is to be disciplined, love, and be creative. Wilder ends the letter by informing Mrs. Rudolph
Joseph that he will be in the Carolina mountains to finish Alcestiad.
Box 1, Folder 4
Wilder to Joseph
1946 10 January
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder addressed to Rudolph Joseph, Elfy’s husband. Wilder often called Rudolph Joseph “Mochven”
which means “little seagull” in German. Wilder mentions Elfy’s charming letters and jokingly says he should become a singer
himself. Wilder mentions that he has a British film offer, as well as 3 American ones. He says he is almost at a point of
accepting a film offer and visiting Los Angeles.
Box 1, folder 5
Wilder to Joseph
1946 4 March
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder addressed to Rudolph Joseph, Elfy’s husband. Wilder writes to inform Rudolph, or “Mochven”
as Wilder calls him, that a certain matter is in suspension due to pending negotiations with London bidders. He mentions that
his latest interest is Existential Philosophy and Jean Paul Satre. Wilder concludes his letter by asking Rudolph whether he
is an “existialiste” and sends his best regards.
Box 1, folder 11
Christmas Card to Elfy
1961 December
Scope and Contents
Brief letter written by Thornton Wilder to Mrs. Elfy Joseph. Item is a Christmas/New Year card with an image of a Christmas
tree. Wilder writes to Elfy to inform her that he is in opera world and that she ought to be a part of that world. He lets
her know that his short opera by Hindemith opened in Mannheim, while his long opera by Louse Talma opened in March in Frankfurt
with Frau Inge Borkh. Wilder mentions that Elfy has a beautiful voice and that if she were not so shy she could be a wonderful
addition to the world of opera. He ends the letter by thanking her for the beautiful card she sent him.
Box 1, folder 6
Wilder to Joseph
1947 26 June
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Rudolph Joseph, Elfy’s husband.
Wilder greets Rudolph and says he is pleased that he has been enjoying Cabala. He tells Rudolph he has an obsession with creating
film adaptations based on works of literature. Wilder informs him that his translator Herbert Heilischtra is trying to interest
him in a publishing company Albatross, which will publish German books in London. Lastly, he mentions that he has heard no
news of Gnadige Frau and jokes that he punished her by making her sing aria from Re Pastore and Pamima’s lament three times.
Box 1, folder 7
Thank you Letter to Rudolph Joseph
1948 12 August
Scope and Contents
Thank you letter addressed to Mr. Rudolph Joseph
The writer of the letter thanks Rudolph and his wife for the Piaf records. The writer states that he has heard of them but
has never listened to them.
Box 1, folder 8
Wilder to Elfy and Rudolph
1949 5 March
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Rudolph Joseph and Elfy Joseph. Item is a brief letter from Wilder in which
he answers Rudolph and Elfy’s questions. He offers them both a reading recommendation titled Fear and Trembling The Concept
of Dread. In addition, he mentions that Dr. V. Frisch of Graz gave a great lecture on how bees communicate with each other.
Box 1, folder 15
Wilder to Elfy and Rudolph After Divorce
1945-1952 August
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Rudolph Joseph and Elfy.
Wilder writes that he was delighted to hear that Maxwell Perkins had granted Rudolph the rights. Perkins was senior editor
of Schribner Publishers and was instrumental in the making of writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway among many
others. Wilder asks Elfy about her singing and whether she has been keeping up with her singing exercises.
Box 1, folder 9
Wilder to Thornton
1949 14 March
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Rudolph Joseph, Elfy’s husband.
Wilder starts off his letter by apologizing for not being able to write much, he states he received a large stack of mail
while he was in Europe. He mentions that his new play is about halfway done. Wilder writes that he has had ongoing contact
with Vittorio de Sica and would love to collaborate with him. He tells Rudolph that charming and beautiful Elfy ought to
be singing for them. Wilder concluded the letter by telling Rudolph that Hollywood is not a good place to live and that they
should consider living in the east.
Box 1, folder 16
Wilder to Elfy Joseph
1960's-1974
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Elfy Joseph, who at the time was divorced from Rudolph Joseph. Letter is dated
after 1952, between the 1960’s and up to 1974. Wilder thanks Elfy for her last letter, but says that she wrote very little
about herself and too much about him. He tells her that he is happy that she surrounds herself with music, although she doesn’t
sing much. Wilder tells Elfy that she came to mind during the time that he was in Vienna during Christmas, while having a
talk with Frau Seefried after a Wolf recital.
Box 1, folder 10
Wilder to Joseph
1954 26 April
Scope and Contents
Item is a postcard from Thornton Wilder to Mr. Rudolph Joseph. Wilder thanks his friends for the birthday greetings. He writes
that he will think of them when he is in Vienna next year after being at the Berlin Festival. During the time of this letter,
Elfy and Rudolph Joseph had divorced in 1952. Rudolph moved to Santa Barbara, whereas Elfy remained in Los Angeles for the
remainder of her life.
Box 1, folder 18
Re: Aug 27/11 Memorial Service For Elfy
2011
Scope and Contents
Joan sends an additional letter in which she provides the exact location of Elfie’s unmarked grave. The letter provides with
information that Elfy was living at the vintage Retirement Home on Tiverton in Westwood. She acknowledges all of Elfy’s dear
friends who attended her memorial services despite the 100 degree weather that day. Joan included a copy of 2 photographs,
one a portrait of Elfy by herself and the other accompanied by two friends.
Box 1, folder 20
Photograph of Elfina
undated
Scope and Contents
Item is a colored photograph of Elfy.
Box 1, folder 21
Photograph of Elfina "Elfy" Joseph and Friends
undated
Scope and Contents
Item is a
Box 1, Folder 12
Wilder to Mrs. Elfy Joseph
1962 19 April
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder to Mrs. Elfy Joseph.
Item is a brief letter in which Wilder thanks Elfy for a book. He addresses her previous letter and tells Alfy that she is
her usual charming self. In addition, he brings up an opera and lets Alfy know that he greatly enjoyed the music and hopes
to hear it often. Wilder concludes by thanking Alfy for the photographs and for remembering his birthday.
Box 1, Folder 13
Wilder to Elfy Joseph
1974 9 January
Scope and Contents
Letter is written by Thornton Wilder and is addressed to Mrs. Elfy Joseph.
Wilder thanks Elfy for her letter and informs her that he has not been able to keep up with his correspondence due to the
deterioration of his eye sight. He ends by sending his best regards to Elfy and Rudolph.
Box 1, Folder 14
Wilder to Rudolph and Elfy Joseph
11 November
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Thornton Wilder, addressed to Rudolph Joseph and Elfy Joseph. In this item, Elfy is the main subject. Wilder
tells Elfy that her presence in a university would be beneficial and very much appreciated. He suggests that she start off
by volunteering first, and then getting involved with the production of elements at universities such as UCLA, Pomona, and
Scripps College. In addition, he suggests that she try to approach television and states that she may use his name as a reference.
Wilder concludes by encouraging Alfy and telling her not to waste time.
Box 1, folder 19
Letter from Joan Newman to Alice
14 July
Scope and Contents
Item is a letter from Joan Newman to Alice.
Box 1, folder 22
Guide to Letters of Elfy Stoeger Joseph Clifton Barret Library
undated
Scope and Contents
Item is a guide to Thornton Wilder correspondence in the Special Collections Department of the Clifton Waller Barrett Library
in Virginia.
Box 1, folder 17
Remembrance of a Lovely Friend
2011
Scope and Contents
Letter written by Joan Harding Newman who was a friend of 30 years with Elfrida Joseph, known as “Elfy” by her dear friends.
Joan describes Elfy’s memorial service at Hollywood Forever cemetery on August 27th 2011. Elfy is described as an artistic
and musical woman who blessed others with her voice. Joan acknowledges Nedra, Elfy’s closest friend of 45 years and says she
can only image how hard their loss may be to her and all of her friends and loved ones. She concludes the letter by stating
that Elfy will was dearly loved and her musical voice and presence will be missed.
