Chang & Eng Performing in Amsterdam in 1836

Lithographed portrait of Chang and Eng.

A Unique Spectacle in Amsterdam

In the spring of 1836, the people of Amsterdam had a rare opportunity to escape their boredom and satisfy their curiosity: the twin brothers Chang and Eng were in town. Connected by a band of tissue and born in Siam (now Thailand), they became known as the Siamese Twins.

From Siam to America

Chang and Eng Bunker (1811–1874) were brought to the United States in 1829, where they adopted the American surname Bunker. They were exhibited as exotic "freaks" and toured extensively across America.

Dissatisfied with their management, they decided to take control of their careers after a few years. They organized independent tours across America and Europe, which not only brought them fame but also considerable wealth.

Retirement in North Carolina

In 1839, after achieving success as businessmen, Chang and Eng retired from touring and settled in North Carolina. There, they married sisters Adelaide and Sarah Yates, started large families, and even owned enslaved people.

However, during the American Civil War, they lost much of their fortune, forcing them to return to touring in 1860. This time, they were managed by the legendary showman P.T. Barnum. They continued to perform intermittently until their deaths in 1874 at the age of 62. They left behind a remarkable legacy, including 21 children and two devoted wives.

Chang and Eng in the Netherlands

Wetenswaardige bijzonderheden omtrent de Siamesche tweeling-broeders Chang en Eng.

The Dutch booklet shown above was published during their 1836 tour of the Netherlands and was likely sold at their performances. Wetenswaardige bijzonderheden omtrent de Siamesche tweeling-broeders Chang en Eng contained a short biography of the brothers and described their visits to Paris, Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, and The Hague before arriving in Amsterdam.

Naturally, their arrival was widely covered in Dutch media. Advertisements in the Algemeen Handelsblad from May 31 to June 13, 1836, reveal that the twins performed in Amsterdam from June 3 to June 14 at club Tecum Habita, located at Herengracht 248. They could be seen between 12:00 and 15:00, with an admission price of 75 cents, which seemed quite high for the time.

An ad in the Algemeen Handelsblad, 13 June1836, promoting Chang and Eng.

Portrait by Ruurt de Vries Jr.

A beautiful portrait from the same period also exists, created by Amsterdam lithographer Ruurt de Vries Jr. (1813–1874), and was undoubtedly available for purchase at their performances. The portrait shows Chang and Eng at around 25 years of age.

The twins are depicted in Western clothing, with one of them holding a book—a symbol of their education and refinement. In this way, they challenged the stereotypes of their time, proving they were more than just a curiosity.

References: Catalogus der Bibliotheek van het Koninklijk Zoölogisch Genootschap, Natura Artis Magistra (1899), 2353; Algemeen Handelsblad (1836), May 31-June 13; Orser, The Lives of Chang & Eng, pp. 73-74.