E.E. Barnard discovered IC 1274, along with IC 1275, on 25 Jun 1892 on a 4-hour plate using the 6-inch Willard lens. His article "Photographic Nebulosities and Groups of Nebulous Stars" in AN 3111 includes a rough visual sketch (with the Lick 12" refractor) of the field including NGC 6559 to the south.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/17/93): located north of the NGC 6559 nebular complex. At 100x and OIII filter appears as an irregular nebulosity surrounding a group of stars mag 8-9, roughly circular outline. Located about 20' N of NGC 6559.

17.5" (6/20/87): at 88x with UHC filter appears fairly faint, large, includes several stars with three or four brighter stars, irregular shape. Located 22' NNW of NGC 6559.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb