Stephane Javelle discovered IC 1690 = J. 3-873 on 30 Nov 1899 and noted "faint, very small, round, 10" to 15", stellar ncl, mag 13.4 core. His micrometric position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 20"x10". Extended in the direction of a mag 12 star 1.5' SE. Member of the NGC 507 Group and located 6.4' SSE of NGC 507.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb