Lewis Swift discovered IC 300 = Sw. VIII-23 on 15 Sep 1888 and recorded "eF; S; R; 8 mag * in field sp; p of 2 [with IC 301]." There is nothing at his position but 2.5' SE is LEDA 2198416, which Corwin identifies as IC 300. He remarks, though, "his description should read 'bet 2 sts 9, np and sf" instead of "* 9 sp.'" Also, this galaxy is at least a magnitude fainter than IC 301, though both were described as "eF". So, Corwin mentions its possible the position is well off and this is not the intended object.

I noticed that if Swift recorded or transcribed his RA by 1 minute too large, then his position would correspond with UGC 2590. And there is a bright star to the southwest as required, though HD 19736 (11' SW) is 6th magnitude, so a couple of magnitudes brighter than Swift suggested.

600/800mm - 24" (2/8/18): at 375x; faint, very small, round, ~15" diameter [core of the galaxy], nearly even surface brightness. This member of AGC 426 is situated 9' SW of mag 6.1 HD 20063 and 13' NNW of IC 301.

Alternate identification of IC 300: UGC 2590 at 03 13 03.1 +42 27 26

24" (2/8/18): at 375x; faint to fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, stellar nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is barely off the SW side [30" from center]. Located 11' NE of mag 6.2 HD 19736.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb