A smiling young woman, wearing a navy sailor uniform, poses for her portrait at the Silkworth studio in Brooklyn, New York. The attractive subject in this photograph may be an actress or a dancer. Is it a coincidence that she is being photographed in the some borough as the Brooklyn Naval Yard? The photographer, Amos W. Silkworth, married into the photography business. In 1885, he married Mary Biffar, and took over her father ‘s photography studio. His father-in-law’s name was Henry Biffar. The address on this cabinet card is 795 Manhattan Avenue and research found that he operated a studio in 1888 and 1899 from 261 Manhattan Avenue. This address was reported to be in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Silkworth had a letter published in “The American Annual of Photography” (1899). At an unknown time, he retired from business and relocated to Mattituck, Long Island, New York. In 1917, “The “Bulletin of Photography” announced Silkworth’s death from Brights Disease at age fifty-five. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
Very interesting photo – I’d love to know the story behind the sailor suit. Does she have a glove on her right hand? Her hand and fingers look very strange.
That is a rather brazen outfit for a lady of her time! I love it! 🙂
Having recently come across an original of Silkworth’s work in a Nevada thrift shop, and considering the print is over 125 years old, sharp as tack and no yellowing from time, I’d say he did some great work.
For a guy who married into the photography business, he apparently showed some respectable talent for the profession. Enjoy your Silkworth photograph.