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1921 Conjoined Bohemian Twins Rosa Josepha Blazek Original Press Glass NegativeItem Specifics
Type: Glass Plate Negative (Original Camera-Exposed Negative)
Subject: Conjoined ("Siamese") Twins Rosa & Josepha Blažek with Son/Nephew Franz
Date: February 23, 1921
Location: New York / Boston (Arrival on the S.S. Manchuria)
Format / Size: Approx. 4" x 5"
Original Envelopes Included: Yes (Outer production envelope & inner embossed linen sleeve)
Description
Overview & ProvenanceOffered here is an extraordinarily rare, museum-grade original camera-exposed 4" x 5" glass plate negative capturing world-famous Bohemian conjoined pygopagus twins Rosa and Josepha Blažek alongside Rosa’s 11-year-old son, Franz, photographed upon their arrival in the United States aboard the American Line steamship S.S. Manchuria on February 23, 1921.
Note on Status: This is an original camera negative—a unique primary-generation artifact exposed on location by a press photojournalist. It exhibits true camera-holder rebate margins, tack-sharp focal detail, and rich, natural silver tonal depth, rather than a secondary darkroom copy.
Original Envelope & Sleeve Transcriptions
The negative is accompanied by its complete, original period newspaper archive filing sleeves:
Image & Historical Context
Born in Skrejchov, Bohemia (now Czech Republic) in 1878, Rosa and Josepha Blažek were joined at the lower spine and pelvis (pygopagus). Internationally renowned vaudeville and exhibition performers, they created a global sensation in 1909–1910 when Rosa gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Franz—the only documented case in medical history of a conjoined twin carrying and delivering a child.
In February 1921, the sisters returned to the United States aboard the S.S. Manchuria with Franz for an American theatrical and exhibition tour. Tragically, this tour would be their last; just one year later, in March 1922, Rosa and Josepha fell ill in Chicago and passed away within minutes of each other.
This remarkable outdoor dockside photograph shows Rosa and Josepha dressed in stylish feathered hats, matching plush fur coats, and high-button boots, holding clutches and smiling toward the lens, while young Franz stands attentively beside them in knee socks, an overcoat, and a knit cap. Curious onlookers peer through the background window.
(The inverted digital positive scans shown in the listing photos are provided for visual reference only to illustrate image sharpness, contrast, and depth; the item sold is the physical antique glass plate negative itself).
Physical Condition Assessment
Glass: Complete, solid, and intact with no structural cracks, hairline fractures, or glass repairs. Extreme glass margins show typical minor handling chipping along the rebate edges, completely isolated from the primary subject area.
Emulsion Layer: Outstanding clarity, crisp contrast, and rich tonal definition across the three figures. Emulsion is clean and well-adhered, exhibiting only standard, light peripheral age-silvering and minute friction wear along the extreme outer rebate borders.
Envelopes: Both the outer brown production envelope and the fine, watermarked "Japanese Linen" inner sleeve with Tower Bro's N.Y. blind stamp are exceptionally well-preserved, featuring clear, dark period ink notations and authentic handling patina.
The glass plate negative measures 4 x 5In.
If you collect glass negatives, please check out our collection in our store. We are currently listing thousands of original glass photo negatives from this DJD collection through the remainder of the year. Follow our store, and feel free to reach out about any questions about the negatives in this collection.
Ships with extreme care in archival materials to ensure safe transit. Feel free to reach out with any requests or questions).
Combined shipping is available (with other glass negatives)
