Brandon Thomas's farce Charley's Aunt was produced at the Royalty Theatre from 21st December 1892 to 28th January 1893, after which it transferred to the Globe Theatre from 30th January 1893 to 19th December 1896. This souvenir was given to commemorate the third anniversary of the play and bears an image of W.S. Penley in the title role.

William Sydney Penley (1851-1912), known as W.S. Penley, was a trained singer and naturally gifted comedian who performed with the D'Oyly Carte Company in his early career. He made a hit on the London stage as the innocent young clergyman Reverend Robert Spalding in Charles Hawtrey's play The Private Secretary at the Globe Theatre, 19th May 1884, a role originally created by Herbert Beerbohm Tree. It was a part with which his name was associated for years, although his greatest success came in Charley's Aunt.

Penley produced Charley's Aunt at Bury St. Edmunds, 29th February 1892, appearing as Lord Fancourt Babberley, the character who impersonates Charley's aunt. The play was performed 1,466 times in succession until it was withdrawn in December 1896, a record at the time and for many years after, earning Penley a considerable fortune. The role of Lord Fancourt Babberley was also played during its run by Edwin H. Wynne, F. Newton-Lindo and Stanley Cooke.