Moreheid's Scarce Pamphlet on Chang and Eng Bunker, the "Siamese Twins" of North Carolina

Hon. J. N. Moreheid. LIVES, ADVENTURES, ANECDOTES, AMUSEMENTS, AND DOMESTIC HABITS OF THE SIAMESE TWINS: ONE OF THE GREATEST WONDERS OF THE PRESENT TIME, BEING TWO PERFECTLY FORMED PERSONS, WHOSE BODIES, BY A SINGULAR CAPRICE OF NATURE, ARE UNITED TOGETHER AS ONE. Raleigh, N.C.: E. E. Barclay, 1850. Paper pamphlet. 8vo; [1-4], 5-24. Complete with frontispiece with "Adelaide. Chang. Eng. Sarah," and vignette title page with "Residence of the Siamese Twins, Surry county, N. C."

8 1/8 x 4 3/4 in.

From a Significant Boston Silver Collector

The twins, Chang and Eng, were born conjoined at the chest in Siam (today's Thailand) in 1811. They first came to the United States in 1826 and toured the U.S. and Europe for more than a decade as the "Siamese Twins." They came to Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1836, and several years later settled in the state. They became U.S. citizens despite laws prohibiting it, adopted the last name "Bunker," married the Yates sisters, and eventually had a total of 21 children. The brothers built two houses in Surry County for their growing children, dividing their time equally between the two, and turned to farming for their vocation for many years before returning to touring in the 1860s and early 1870s. This pamphlet was first printed in 1848 for the cost of 10 cents. (Source: UNC University Libraries, "Chang and Eng: The Original "Siamese Twins," https://library.unc.edu/exhibition/chang-and-eng-the-original-siamese-twins/)

Typical light toning, foxing (heaviest on first and last leaves, otherwise quite light), and edge wear with chips and small tears; damp staining; small holes in first few leaves likely from an old staple, with associated rust marks; many leaves detached or partially detached; considering its age, an overall good copy of this extremely scarce title with (18) copies in libraries at time of evaluation according to WorldCat.