This collection contains two photographs of the internationally recognized conjoined twin brothers, Chang and Eng Bunker.
Chang and Eng Bunker were conjoined twin brothers born on May 11, 1811, in the Kingdom of Siam (modern-day Thailand). Their unique physical connection—joined at the sternum by a small piece of cartilage—would lead to global fame and eventually to the coining of the term "Siamese Twins," which remains a common descriptor for conjoined twins today.
Their path to international recognition began in 1824, when a Scottish merchant noticed them and helped facilitate a tour through Asia, Europe, and eventually the United States. Though initially exhibited as curiosities, the brothers later gained autonomy over their performances and finances, becoming successful entrepreneurs.
In the 1830s, Chang and Eng became naturalized American citizens and settled in North Carolina. As they prospered, they became acquainted with the Yates sisters—Adelaide and Sarah—and despite significant public and community criticism, the twins held a joint marriage ceremony on April 13, 1843. Chang married Adelaide, while Eng married Sarah (nicknamed "Sallie").
By 1845, they had purchased a 650-acre plantation in Surry County, North Carolina, where they became successful farmers and slaveowners, embedding themselves firmly into the social and economic fabric of the antebellum South. Together, the families lived in separate homes, with the brothers alternating their time between the two. They fathered over 20 children in total: Chang and Adelaide had 10, while Eng and Sallie had 11. Remarkably, their first children were born just six days apart—Sarah gave birth to Katherine Marcellus on February 10, 1844, followed by Adelaide, who gave birth to Josephine Virginia on February 16.
The Bunkers supported the Confederacy during the American Civil War. One of Chang's sons, Christopher Wren Bunker, joined the 37th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry on April 1, 1863. This unit was recruited for General John McCausland's offensive on Chambersburg. Christopher was eventually captured and held as a prisoner of war at Camp Chase in Ohio until the war's end.
In their later years, Chang's health declined, especially after suffering a stroke. The brothers died on January 17, 1874, within hours of each other—Chang first, followed shortly by Eng.
Carte de visite depicting conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker (1811-1874). The first image includes the brothers posing with their respective wives and two of their sons (undated). The image is signed by the brothers to mount verso in ink. A rare signed view of the famous conjoined twins Eng and Chang Bunker (1811-1874) with their wives - sisters Adelaide and Sarah "Sallie" Yates - and two of their sons. The second image includes the two brothers posing (Circa 1870).
May 18, 2024 (processed), 0.25 cubic feet: Carte de visit depicting conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker (1811-1874). Image includes the the brothers posing with their respective wives and two of their sons. Purchased from Fleischer's Auctions
Purchased from Fleischer's Auctions
Processed by Patrick Cash and Lydia Brooker , 2025
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