[Finlay Dunn, one of the first of the ‘stand-up comedians’.] Autograph Original Rhymed Poem about himself [sent to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope], with reproduction of photographic portrait of him affixed.

From the Macqueen-Pope papers, and evidently received by him. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) Of Dunn an online source states: ‘On the 10th of November 1917, the Stage Gossip feature in the Yorkshire Evening Post recounted the career of Finlay Dunn, a stage actor. According to the report, Dunn performed as what he refers to as a stand-up comedian. [...] despite performing as a comedy piano act for the majority of his career, one of his favourite strands included joking about his large physical size, which was described as good buffoonery in evening dress, with no accessories whatever.’ In The Stage, September 1912, Dunn was described as ‘manager and stage director’. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and folded once for postage. Dunn has affixed a portrait of himself, apparently cut out of a newspaper or magazine, to the head of the page. Beneath this he writes: ‘I have a gift to write in rhyme / And though a Pro; think it no crime / To write & try to make folk laugh / With my idea of fun & chaff / Which I have done for many years / Spreading laughter, without tears / With one piano & one strong chair / Still fit to do so, anywhere / Maybe, you know me - Finlay Dunn / Telephone - Canonbury - 2801. / If not in, then wet or fine / Please leave particulars, with Miss Hine.’