Arnold Schwassmann discovered IC 3311 = Sn. 185 on 12 Sep 1900 using a plate taken with the 6" astrograph at the Königstuhl Observatory in Heidelberg. Royal Frost also reported it on a plate taken at the Arequipa station on 10 May 1904. He noted "streak; 1.2' by 0.2' at 135° (Sch 185)".

600/800mm - 24" (5/29/14): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW, 0.5'x0.25', low even surface brightness. Located 24' SSW of NGC 4388 in the central region of the Virgo Cluster.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb