Chang and Eng the Siamese twins, aged eighteen, with badminton rackets. Coloured engraving by JLB, 1829.

For sitter see: C.J.S. Thompson, 'The mystery and lore of monsters', London 1930; L. Fiedler, 'Freaks', New York 1978; G.M. Gould and W. Pyle, 'Anomalies and curiosities of medicine', Philadelphia 1896, pp. 151-154

These conjoined-twins are the original Siamese twins, from whom the name derives. Born at Maklong near Bankok in Siam in about May 1811, of Chinese extraction; they were taken to America and then England in 1829, where they were exhibited causing great excitement. They were placed under the medical charge of G.B. Bolton, M.R.C.S., who made extensive observations along with others at the time. After visiting the principal cities in Europe they returned to America to settle as farmers in North Carolina, adopting the name of Bunker and marrying two sisters who bore each of them many healthy children. In 1869 they made another tour through Europe and took advice from eminent surgeons of Britain and France on the feasibility of being separated, with no ultimate conclusion. After having returned to their dual families (which they kept in separate houses) Chang developed bronchitis, which led to their death in mid-January 1874.

[London] (87 Charlotte St, Rathbone Place) : Artists Depository, December 1829.

1 print : line engraving and etching, with watercolour ; image 11.5 x 9.7 cm

Chang, & Eng. the Siamese Youths. Aged 18 ... JLB 1829 Lettering continues: " The bodies of these twins, are by a wonderful caprice of nature united. They arriv'd in England the 19th Novr 1829 & were examined the 26th. by the first rate medical men."

Artist's monogram "JLB" is unidentified

Wellcome Collection 2610i