American Historical Ephemera & Photography, including African Americana

Cabinet photograph of Millie and Christine McKoy. New York: Ollivier & Co., ca 1890s. 5 3/8 x 4 in. cabinet photograph on cardstock mount with photographer's gilt imprint and caption, "Millie Christine, the Two Headed Nightingale. Born 1851." The sisters are shown standing in a studio, wearing identical, floral-patterned blouses and sharing the same striped skirt.

Born into enslavement on a plantation in southeastern North Carolina, Millie & Christine McKoy (1851-1912) were sold several times while children and abducted twice by people looking to exploit them. Eventually, they came to be enslaved by Joseph Smith who toured the sisters through the United States, Canada, and Europe. They were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation and continued to tour internationally. The talented singers were successful enough to purchase the property where they were born and build a grand home where they lived until their death. In early October 1912, Millie died after contracting tuberculosis. Christine was unable to be safely separated and died the next day. Though they had separate personalities, they were often referred to with one name, "Millie-Christine" and are themselves quoted as saying, "Although we speak of ourselves in the plural, we feel as but one person."

[With:] COLE TALBERT, Florence (1890-1961). 10 x 8 in. silver gelatin photograph (including margins) of the operatic soprano, signed and inscribed at lower right, "Yours for Art, Florence Cole Talbert, San Diego 1929." Uncredited, ca 1920s.

[Also with:] WILSON, Ruby (1948-2016). 9 3/4 x 8 in. silver gelatin photograph of blues and gospel singer Ruby Wilson, "Queen of Beale Street." Memphis, TN: Ernest C. Withers, ca late 20th century.

Together, 3 photographs of African American singers of the 19th and 20th centuries.