The 8aR absolute stereochemistry of Wieland-Miescher ketone (-)-I was established by the X-ray structure analysis of its bis(4-bromobenzoate) derivatives (1R,6R,8aR)-(+)-IV and (1R,6S,8aR)-(-)-V. The absolute configuration of (-)-I was corroborated further by the application of the CD exciton chirality method to bis(4-bromobenzoates) (+)-IV and (-)-V.