Stephane Javelle discovered IC 1041 = J. 1-308 = Sw. 10A-6 = Sw. XI-173, along with IC 1039, 1042 and 1043, on 28 May 1891. His dec is ~1.5' too far south but the identification is certain. Lewis Swift found it again on 17 May 1892 and noted Sw. 10A-6 as "eF, vS, lE. 1st of 3 [with IC 1042 and NGC 5718]." Swift reobserved it again on 16 Sep 1896 from Echo Mountain in Southern California and reported it as new in his 11th discovery list with a slightly modified position, probably to make sure Dreyer didn't miss this discovery. Dreyer assumed Swift's observation referred to IC 1039, but since his declination was 6' south of IC 1042, it probably refers to IC 1041.

600/800mm - 24" (6/18/12): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, well concentrated with a small bright core. Forms a close pair with IC 1043 1.4' E. Located 5.5' S of NGC 5718/IC 1042 in the MKW 8 cluster.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb