(Conjoined Twins) | Six striking presentations, including broadsides and sheet music

(Conjoined Twins)

A group of broadsides and sheet music

The Biddenden Maids. Short but concise account of Elisabeth and Mary Chulkhurst, who were born joined together. Biddenden: R. Weston, [ca. 1808]. Letterpress broadside (360 x 220 mm) [with] letterpress fragment (140 x 90 mm) tipped on to a sheet of paper. Engraved portrait of the Biddenden Maids to head, flanked by two engraved decorative motifs, broadside ruled in decorative border; some creases, short marginal tear. — The Biddenden Maids. A Short and Concise Account of Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst. Tenterden: W. Thomson, n.d. Letterpress broadside (345 x 215 mm). Engraved portrait to head, ruled in engraved border; two old folds, short marginal tear and small chips to margins, light spotting. — Chang and Eng. Siamese Twins ... The United Brothers. New York: J.M. Elliott, [ca. 1830s]. Letterpress playbill (405 x 325 mm). Seemingly two playbills on one uncut sheet, large engraved portrait of Chang and Eng to head of each playbill, ruled in two different decorative borders, type set differently on each; old vertical fold to center where playbills would have been split, small open tear along fold at head, small stains not affecting prints, browned. — Chang and Eng. Eng-Chang. New York: P.A. Mesier & Co., 1839. Lithograph print (355 x 262 mm). Portrait of Eng and Chang holding a book; closed tear to left margin, browning at margins but not affecting print, crease to foot. — Chang and Eng. New Horticultural Hall ... Siamese Twins. Boston: F.A. Searle, [1866]. Printed playbill (515 x 125 mm). Two engraved portraits, one at head depicting Chang, Eng, and their children, the other at foot depicting Hoomio and Iola; old horizontal folds, closed tear along central fold. — The Hilton Sisters. Log Cabin Lullaby by Cal DeVoll. Chicago: Ted Browne Music Co., nd. Sheet music (302 x 232 mm). Pictorial wrappers, cyanotype portrait of Daisy and Violet Hilton to center; wrapper a little rubbed, torn along foot of spine but holding. Sheet music printed on verso of upper wrapper, recto of bottom wrapper, one leaf of sheet music loosely inserted, printed verso and recto; marginal closed tears.

Six striking presentations of conjoined twins. Of note in this group are the Biddenden Maids broadsides. Both contain the same image and text, which describes their death: "one of them was taken ill, and in a short time died; the surviving one was advised to be separated from the body of her deceased Sister, by dissection, but she absolutely refused the separation, by saying these words, as we came together, we will also go together, and in the space of about six hours after her Sister's decease, She was taken ill, and died also." They further note that in their will, "they bequeathed to the Churchwardens of the Parish of Biddenden and their successors Churchwardens for ever, certain pieces of Land in the Parish of Biddenden"; the fragment included with the broadside printed by Weston gives an account of a free school, endowed by a donation from the Biddenden Maids.

Also of interest is a charming visual detail in the lithograph of Chang and Eng: in the portrait, the twins hold a book displaying a miniature version of the same lithographic portrait.

Sold as group lot, not subject to return.