The play was first published in 1878. The file contains materials related to rehearsal and performance, including a published copy (Lustspiele von G. von Moser, sechster Band; Berlin: B. Behr's Buchhandlung, E. Bock, 1880), which has been annotated as a prompt-book; and 5 handwritten role books, for the following parts: Edith, Marslands Tochter; Harry, Marslands Neffe; Macdonald; Eva Webster; and ein Commissionair. (The majority of the roles are not represented here; among those missing are: Marsland, Gutsbesitzer; Lothair, Macdonalds Neffe; Gisbson, Schneider; and Robert, Bibliothekar.) The published copy is labeled as the property of Theodor Bloch, who was active in German-language theater in Philadelphia from at least the early 1870s until the mid 1890s, first as an actor and later as a prompter and proprietor of a theater lending library. The covers of some of the role books bear the names of cast members who played the roles. (The names could not be definitely placed as relating to performances in Philadelphia.) See the index in the collection's register for details about 2 theater newspapers advertising performances of the play in Philadelphia in 1886 and 1892 (folders 704 and 709), and one playbill from a performance in 1883 (folder 680).
