The singer in this work is traditionally identified as Talbott O’Farrell whose song That Old Fashioned Mother o’ Minewas a major success in 1919-20, and this work was based on a painting of the same title. The print was exhibited at the Royal Society of Etchers and Engravers in 1928. There were three states, the final state bearing the title. The dramatic chiaroscuro was achieved by varying the cross-hatching.

Further reading:
Ruth Bromberg, Walter Sickert Prints, Yale University Press, New Haven and London 2000