Family history has it that in 1880 the musical picture was donated during the Melbourne International Exhibition by a prominent Collins Street Melbourne doctor. The gift was on the basis that it was to be raffled at the opening of the Exhibition Building, to benefit "The Hospital For Women" (later the Melbourne Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne). Tickets for the raffle were sold for 3 pence each and the picture was won by a local Collingwood family.

It was discovered and acquired by the late owner in the 1950's