DeLisle Stewart discovered IC 1953 = DS 213 from a plate taken in 1899 at Harvard's Arequipa Station. He reported "vF, cL, spir or ring neb." Based on photographs taken at the Helwan observatory in 1927-31, IC 1953 was described as "F, R, 2' dia, spiral with a pF ncl, vlE [bar] 160°, [spiral arms] showing condensations and absoprtion on the preceding side." ESO 548-040, 2.6' NW of IC 1953, was also reported as new.

300/350mm - 13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, very large, diffuse, oval WNW-ESE, weak concentration. Located 9' N of the bright star Tau 5 Eridani (V = 4.3) that detracts from viewing. Member of the NGC 1332 group?

600/800mm - 24" (11/23/19): at 375x; moderately bright, large, slightly elongated, 1.5'-2' diameter, small brighter core seemed offset north of the center. At times a brighter "spine" or central bar was visible extending in a N-S orientation. The surface brightness was fairly low and irregular with a patchy appearance. This galaxy is situated just 9' N of 4.3 magnitude Tau 5 Eri and it helped to place the star outside the field.

ESO 548-036, 6.1' SSW, was fairly faint (quite easy), elongated 5:2 ~N-S, ~40"x16", small bright core. A mag 12.7 star is 1.4' N. This galaxy is situated just 6' NW of the mag 4.3 star!

Notes by Steve Gottlieb