Details
Creator Germon, W. L. (Washington Lafayette), 1822-1877, photographer.
Title [Millie and Christine, the "North Carolina twins"] [graphic] / W.L. Germons, Temple of Art, 914 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
Publisher [Philadelphia]
Date [ca. 1866]
Physical Description 1 photograph : albumen on card mount ; mount 11 x 7 cm (4.25 x 2.5 in.) (carte de visite format)
Description Full-length portrait of the African American women conjoined twins and performers known as the "two-headed nightingale" and "Carolina twins." The twins wear their hair parted in the middle and tied at the back with decorative accessories on top and are attired in a short-sleeved dress with lace trim and bracelets. They stand posed in front of a pillar and beside a guitar. They were born in Whiteville, North Carolina on July 11, 1851, to Jacob and Monemia McKoy who were enslaved to Jabez McKay. Various enslavers and managers exhibited the twins nationally and internationally. They performed at the Assembly Building in Philadelphia in May 1866 accompanied by the 15 year old master pianist, J.W. Minnick.
Notes Title supplied by cataloger.
Photographer's imprint stamped on verso.
History and medical description of the two-headed girl:...(Buffalo, N.Y.: Warren, Johnson, & Co., 1869). (LCP Am 1869 Hist, 70318.D).
Purchase 2000.
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Biographical / historical note Germon was a Philadelphia engraver and early photographer who produced photographic portraits at his studio, the "Temple of Art."
Subject McCoy, Christine, 1851-1912 -- Portraits.
McCoy, Millie, 1851-1912 -- Portraits.
Carolina Twins.
African American women -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- Portraits.
African American women entertainers -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Conjoined twins -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Women.
Genre Cartes de visite -- 1860-1870.
Portrait photographs -- 1860-1870.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| cdv portraits - sitter - Millie [P.9790]
Accession number P.9790