A.V. Nyman & J. Bergman Olsson (19th Century Swedish Mariners)
From Baltic Waters to Atlantic Ambitions: The Story Behind a 19th-Century Pilot Book Inside the worn cover of a 19th-century Atlantic Pilot, a pair of inscriptions and a stamped seal offer a glimpse into the lives of two Swedish mariners A. V. Nyman and J. Bergman Olsson and their possible ambitions beyond the Baltic Sea. The Inscription: A Signature of Purpose On one of the opening pages, a handwritten note reads: “Timbâin A. V. Nyman Ombord i ‘Gotland’ 1884” This inscription, dated the same year the book was published, suggests that A. V. Nyman was its original owner. The phrase “Ombord i ‘Gotland’ (Onboard the Gotland) confirms he was aboard the steamship Gotland in 1884, likely using the guide for professional navigation. The enigmatic word “Timbâin” may have been a personal label, a ship name, or a stylised reference its meaning lost to time but still evocative. Just below, another name appears: “J. Bergman Olsson 1887” While this might initially sug...
