Herbert Howe discovered IC 1897 = Ho III-12 on 24 Jan 1900 with the 20-inch refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory. He noted "eF, vS; near [NGC] 1238" and his micrometric position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/28/94): faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.5' S. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1238 3.3' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb