Lewis Swift discovered IC 1147 = Sw. VII-63, along with IC 1146, on 2 Aug 1888 and reported "eeF; S; R; ee diff.; nf of 2 [with IC 1146]." His position is 1.5' too far NW, a similar offset error as IC 1146.

600/800mm - 24" (7/20/17): at 225x and 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak even concentration, faint stellar nucleus. Located 5.8' ESE of mag 9.3 SAO 16866. CGCG 338-022 lies 8.6' NW and Arp 109 = UGC 10053 is 13' SW. CGCG 338-022 appeared faint or fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb