This book first appeared as a publication (in German) in 2003. This book was published in 2004 and it is in English and it is hardbound.. It is a great book and it is A4 size. It has 172 pages and pictures 1554 shells on its 62 full size color plates and 74 additional drawings. I like this book very much and as in the Tursch “Oliva” there are many views of each of these shells.