E.E. Barnard discovered IC 2199, along with IC 2194, 2196 and 2197, on 9 May 1888. These were his first discoveries with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. His position is 3.5' too far south (similar offset as IC 2194) and labeled "a" on the sketch.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, brighter along major axis. A small elongated group of eight mag 13 stars is close west. Preceded by mag 8 SAO 60192 7.7' WSW and mag 8.5 SAO 60197 6.3' SW. Brightest in a group of 4 IC galaxies with IC 2196 12' NW and IC 2193 24' NW. Located about 35' S of Castor!

Notes by Steve Gottlieb