I left Germany for the endless sunshine and horizons of Namibia in 1967. And have never looked back. After a 14-year stint in South Africa, I returned home to Namibia again in 2003, and can now proudly look back on 36 years of collecting, researching and selling shells. My expertise is self-acquired – and at your disposal.

Many new species in the Marginellidae, Cypraeidae and Patellidae families have been described by me, and numerous species named after myself and various members of my family. In pursuit of the perfect shell, I have travelled to far-flung corners of the world, especially on the African continent. Whether living with the locals in Mozambique, being stranded in Angola, haggling at a marketplace in Zanzibar or living on the beach in Madagascar – my adventures have left me with unforgettable memories – and fascinating shells.

As an ex-professional football (soccer) player, I am still very interested in sports. My interests - besides shells - include football, dog training, table tennis and travelling.

Namibia: known to locals as “the land God made in anger”, because of its arid landscapes and harsh beauty.
Namibia is also a country of superlatives. It is Africa’s youngest nation, blessed with the world‘s oldest natural heritage and is also the most sparsely populated country on earth. Namibia can also proudly claim to be the cleanest and best organised country in Africa, and boasts an excellent infrastructure. The savannah grasslands and mountains of the high inland plateau are home to a spectacular variety of African wildlife. Nature conservation is a top priority!

The Namib Desert has the highest sand dunes in the world and stretches along the entire coastline. When one considers that the annual rainfall here is approximately 2 mm, it becomes clear why it is also known as the “Skeleton Coast.” The cold Atlantic Ocean, with its high nutrient and low oxygen contents, produces masses of molluscs, but only a low species diversity. Vast coastal areas are out of bounds due to restrictions for nature conservation or diamond production. The best shelling area in Namibia is in the South around the small town of Luederitz, which is built almost entirely on rocks.

Namibia is also a country of great diversity. The far North has a subtropical climate with permanent rivers and even swamps - ideal for crocodiles and hippos. But the top tourist attraction is one of the biggest game reserves in the world: the Etosha Pan. 

Swakopmund, my home and Namibia’s third biggest town and traditional “summer capital” seems almost unreal to the first-time visitor: After a long drive through the Namib Desert, Bavarian spires and elaborate German architecture suddenly emerge through the mists of the Atlantic...
No it's not a mirage.
You're in Namibia.