3-053-194 - The London Archives (City of London)/Heritage Images

'The Siamese Youths., (aged 18), as now exhibited at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly', 1829. Poster advertising an attraction at the Egyptian Hall in London, showing Chang and Eng Bunker, conjoined twin brothers. Chang and Eng were widely exhibited as 'curiosities' globally. Their fame caused the expression 'Siamese twins' to become synonymous for conjoined twins in general. Born in what is now Thailand, the brothers were brought to the United States in 1829. The same year they were on show in London, for which they received a share of the profit. At the time they were described as 'two youths of eighteen, natives of Siam, united by a short band at the pit of the stomach - two perfect bodies, bound together by an inseparable link'. They returned to London in 1869.