Chang and Eng were born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811 and connected by a short band of flesh in the chest area and barely escaped death by execution by order of King Rama II. When they became teenagers, the brothers began traveling around the world with two agents. The twins became well known, and the use of the term ‘siamese twins’ to describe conjoined siblings resulted from their fame. They retired to Traphill, NC and married the Yates sisters in 1840, and produced 21 children between them. The brothers lived in separate houses, spending three days apiece at each house. They died in 1874, at the age of 63. Chang predeceased Eng by two and a half hours. Vintage fountain pen signatures, “Chang Bunker Eng Bunker, Mount Airy N. C.,” on an off-white 5 x 7.5 lightly-lined sheet with an original news clipping reporting the death of the twins affixed to bottom portion of the sheet. A repaired vertical separation through end of Chang’s signature and some scattered light toning and soiling, otherwise fine condition. RRAuction COA.
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