Lewis Swift discovered IC 1258 = Sw. VII-89, along with IC 1259, on 19 Jul 1887 and logged "pB; pS; R; sp of 2 [with IC 1259]." His position is 1' too far northwest.

400/500mm - 18" (6/7/08): at 260x appeared faint, small, irregularly round, 25" diameter, very small brighter core, gradually increases to the center. Surrounded by two or three very faint stars. With averted vision the shape is irregular and knotty. Forms a pair with IC 1259 (double system) 2.2' NE.

600/800mm - 24" (7/22/14): at 375x appeared faint to fairly faint, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, ~0.4'x0.3'. A mag 15.3 star is off the north side [27" from center] and another mag 15 star is off the southwest side [44" from center]. At 500x, a mag 15.5+ star is at the east edge, just 10" from center!

24" (8/15/12): at 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, very small bright nucleus increases to center. The view with confusing with several very close stars. The brightest is a mag 14.9 star 45" SW. A mag 15.2 star is 30" NNE. A mag 15.7 star is attached at the east edge of the core, just 10" from center and fainter than the nucleus of the galaxy. Very interesting group with the double system IC 1259 2.3' NE, IC 1260 2.0' ESE and PGC 2579433 3.6' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb