The many experiences with opals, book collecting and a passion for Australia’s national gemstone, lead Hans to write his own book, A Century-Plus of Opal Publications: A Catalogue.

These pursuits not only allowed Hans the chance to gain more knowledge of the gemstone and its related industries, but afforded him the opportunity to make people aware of the many books written on the subject of opal. The 88-page catalog was launched at 1994 Opal & Gem Expo in the famous opal mining town of Lightning Ridge. “it contains well over 500 entries on opal books, articles and films from around the world. It fulfills a need for libraries, researchers and is an excellent reference for the opal book collector,” Hans said.

His book was printed as a limited edition and was privately distributed through a few appropriate outlets. “It found its way to libraries and museums, book dealers and antiquarians, and to the expensive opal community, from miners and dealers to collectors, and, of course, the opal book collectors throughout Australia and overseas,” Hans said.

A second edition-a much larger book-is a being considered for publication in the future. More of his own research and contributions from other book collectors and opal enthusiasts should make this second-edition a more valuable work. This will assist those in this special niche of book collecting, which is catching on, according to Hans.