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http://hdl.handle.net/11134/110002:256
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Description
Carte de visite photograph of Chang and Eng Bunker along with two of their children. An older son stands on the far left, dressed in a large suit jacket and baggy trousers. Chang and Eng stand in the middle of the photograph, both in pinstriped suits, facing the camera. Chang has an arm around his younger son on the right, who wears a buttoned up coat. Cartes de visite are photographs, usually mounted on a paper card and measuring about 2.5 by 4 inches, popular from about 1850 to the 1870s. Individuals could collect the cartes de visite of various celebrities from different backgrounds including entertainment and politics or sit for portraits themselves. In the case of performers whose claim to fame was related to their physical appearance or a developmental disability, the staging of cartes de visite helped to emphasize their differences. This was accomplished by consciously manipulating clothing, props, the backdrop, and all other elements of the photograph in order to draw attention to their particular traits. The question of who was responsible for the staging, be it photographer, manager, or performer, varied greatly. Chang and Eng Bunker (May 11, 1811- January 17, 1874) were conjoined twins from Siam (present day Thailand) who rose to fame for their unique nature. They were joined together at the sternum by cartilage, and shared a fused liver. They were discovered as children and exhibited, before they took over their own management. After a while they settled down in the American south, marrying and having a combined total of twenty two children. They lost their fortune with the conclusion of the Civil War and returned to show business. Cartes de visite are photographs, usually mounted on a paper card and measuring about 2.5 by 4 inches, popular from about 1850 to the 1870s. Individuals could collect the cartes de visite of various celebrities from different backgrounds including entertainment and politics, or sit for portraits themselves. Measures 2.5 by 4 inches. No photographer is named. Dates to about 1856-1874.
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Use and Reproduction
This item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. Images and data from The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library are intended for public access and educational use only. This material is owned, held, or licensed by The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library and is being provided solely for the purpose of teaching or individual research. All other use, including commercial reuse, mounting on other systems, or other forms of redistribution requires permission of the appropriate department of The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library; fees may be applicable.
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