Stephane Javelle discovered IC 1685 = J. 3-868, along with IC 1687, on 1 Dec 1899 and reported "F, R, 20" to 25", diffuse, weakly condensed." The identification is not in doubt, though the galaxy wasn't catalogued in RC3, CGCG, PGC or MCG. Megastar software shows it as anonymous.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/4/97): this very difficult object is located 2.5' NE of NGC 494 in a cluster. Just glimpsed with averted vision at 280x and appeared as a 10" fleeting spot with no concentration. A mag 14.5 star lies 45" SSE.

600/800mm - 24" (10/4/13): very faint, extremely small, round, 10" diameter. This member of the NGC 507 Group is situated just 2.5' NE of NGC 494 and 4.6' WSW of NGC 504.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb