MILLIE-CHRISTINE (Millie and Christine McKoy, 1851-1912). Millie-Christine CDV. Philadelphia: W.L. Germons, 1871. Carte-de-visite portrait of the African American conjoined twin sisters, potentially signed by the twins in graphite on the verso and dated Oct 6th 1871. Studio mount, with imprint to verso. 4 1/4 x 2 1/2”.

Also known as the “Two-Headed Nightingale,” “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” and the “Carolina Twins,” Millie and Christine were born into slavery in 1851 and sold to a showman before they were one year old. They were exhibited in the U.S. and abroad by several managers and owners. After the Emancipation Proclamation ended their slave status, they continued to perform, including in P.T. Barnum’s American Museum.