 Humbert went on two archaeological expeditions, one to Carthage and one to Italy, as an agent for the Dutch government.Sending his reports and catalogs of collections on sale directly to Reuvens, the co-operation of the two men would bring important additions to the National Museum.In 1830 Reuvens published parts of a papyrus in the Leiden collection, and for that is credited with beginning the scholarly study of papyri.