This book was published in 1933 by the Shanghai Evening Post & Mercury Press. The author, Yu Muxia, was a native of Qingpu in Shanghai and had achieved the title of "Xiucai" in the late Qing dynasty's imperial examination. During the Republican era, he worked for various newspapers, including the 'Current Events News' and the 'Shanghai Morning Post.'

The term '鳞爪' (linzhao) metaphorically refers to fragments of events. The book 'Shanghai Moments' primarily focuses on the appearance of old Shanghai during the 1920s to 1930s. It covers a wide range of aspects of life within the international settlements of that time, providing intricate descriptions that encompassed various domains. The book delves into meticulous portrayals of life in the concessions, depicting characters from different strata of society. It also exposes the shadowy corners of society such as gambling houses, courtesans, and opium dens, unveiling the world of hidden creatures and spirits. Through the use of coded language and insider secrets, the writing vividly and engagingly captures the social landscape of old Shanghai, allowing readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the societal customs and human interactions on the bustling shores of that era.

本书于1933年在上海沪报馆刊印出版，作者郁慕侠是上海青浦人，曾在晚清考中秀才。在民国时期，曾在《时事新报》、《沪报》等多家报馆工作。
鳞爪二字，比喻事情的片段。而《上海鳞爪》一书则主要聚焦上世纪20~30年代的旧上海风貌，不限于某一领域，海纳百川的对当时租界生活的各个方面进行细致入微的描写，更有很多社会底层人物写照，以及赌场、娼妓、烟馆等社会阴暗角落的“魑魅魍魉”，种种暗语黑话、社会秘闻内幕，文笔异常生动有趣，可以带读者全方位了解当年上海滩的社会风貌，人情世故。