Max Wolf discovered IC 2850 = W. VII-222, along with IC 2853 and 2857, on a Heidelberg plate taken on 27 Mar 1906. He reported "pB, S, E at 120°, bM, * 13 sf 1/2'."

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/28/87): very faint, elongated NW-SE, very small, requires averted. A mag 14.5 star is just off the SE edge 33" from the center. Fifth brightest in the IC 698 group and forms a pair with IC 2853 5.1' N.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb