In order to expand its collections, the Museum of Ethnology Hamburg contributed to the financing of Leo Frobenius’ first trip to Africa (1904–1906). In January 1906, Georg Thilenius, the director of the museum, turned to the education authority with a request for additional funding: Instead of the expected 2,000 objects, 4,600 had already arrived at the museum. In addition, Frobenius required more money to continue his collecting activities.