This sheet music for the ballad Villikins and his Dinah is illustrated with an engraving of the diminutive ballad singer, actor and comedian Frederick Robson as the character Jem Bags, the bedraggled Cockney street singer that he played in the one act farce The Wandering Minstrel at the Olympic Theatre in May 1853. Jem Bags sang Villikins and his Dinah at the end of the farce. It became the hit of the season and the song became known in English speaking countries around the world. The Musical Bouquet used the same illustration on the dance music it published based on the ballad including the Villikins and Dinah Quadrille, and Villikins and Dinah Polka (sometimes spelt Vilikins)

Robson (1821-1864) who was born in Margate Thomas Brownhill, became a star of the Olympic Theatre and eventually one of its managers. He had a great talent for burlesque, or performances that parodied the originals, and one of his starring roles was his imitation of Adelaide Ristori as Medea. He became a great favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who invited him to Windsor Castle for several command performances.