The play dates from around or before 1848 (it was performed in Berlin in that year). The items are handwritten role books (actors' scripts) for the play, with the following parts represented: Kanzleirath von Busta; Wally, von Busta's Tochter; Ariana, Wally's Freundin; Frau von Falten, Wittwe, von Busta's Schwester; Nothnagel, quiescirter Rath; Jacob Unfall, Aspirant; Assessor Reh, Unfalls Freund; and Lorchen, Wally's Stubenmädchen. (The role books make reference to one additional character, Anton.) The items likely date from before 1870; a note on two of the role books about day and time of first rehearsal uses the spelling "Freytag" for "Freitag." In three instances, names are noted on the front covers, presumably of the actors assigned the roles. (The collection's holdings of theater newspapers and playbills contain no reference to this play.)
