[5] Dutch collectors developed an interest in natural history specimens that were collected on worldwide expeditions since the 16th century.

[5] Schepman was both a collector and a methodical scientist, which combination "made his collection of great value to the entire malacological community."

He was given the opportunity to study a collection by Max Carl Wilhelm Weber, Director of the Zoölogisch Museum Amsterdam (ZMA).

[6] Eduard von Martens was involved in mollusk identification from the first expedition, and he "probably recommended Schepman for the work on the second."

Eventually sold in 1920 to the Zoological Museum Amsterdam for ƒ7,205, the collection consisted of 9,000 species and 1,250 genera of shelled freshwater, marine, and land molluscs.