Lewis Swift discovered IC 1288 = Sw. VII-97 on 19 Oct 1887 and recorded "vF; S; lE; nearly between a double and a single star."

300/350mm - 13.1" (7/20/85): faint, thin edge-on N-S. A number of stars are near; two mag 11/13 stars are 1.1' W and 1.4' WNW of center. A mag 12 star is close NE, 0.8' from center, and a mag 15 star is at the north tip 22" from center. Located 9' SSW of NGC 6646 in a trio with IC 1289.

600/800mm - 24" (7/19/17): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 N-S. Resides within a group of stars including a mag 15 star at the north tip [22" from center]. Also nearby is a mag 12.7 star [49" from center] and a mag 12 star 1' due W. Located 10' SSW of NGC 6646 in a triple group (physical) with IC 1289.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb