Stephane Javelle discovered IC 1704 = J. 3-881, along with IC 1698, 1700 and 1706, on 18 Jan 1896. He described this nebula as "pB, 40" to 50" diameter, diffuse, irr form, weak and gradual concentration." There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin and Malcolm Thomson note that Javelle misidentified his reference star for IC 1704 and 1706. Once his offsets are applied to the correct star, there is an exact match.

Malcolm Thomson notes the CGCG, UGC and MCG all misidentify IC 1704 as IC 1706 (this is pointed out in the PGC), while having no listing for the correct IC 1706. RC3, PGC, HyperLeda, NED and Corwin's lists have the correct identities and coordinates.

600/800mm - 24" (12/1/13): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, ~42"x28", irregular surface brightness, increases to an elongated core. There was a strong impression of structure due to mottling in the halo. A mag 10.7 star lies 3' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb