Arnold Schwassmann discovered IC 3381 = Sn. 192 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. Frost noted "bM, R magn 14 (Sch 192)".

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/18/87): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Located 2.2' S of a mag 7.7 SAO 10014 that detracts from viewing. Forms a pair with NGC 4452 7.2' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb