Hermann Kobold discovered IC 3973 = K. 2-18 on 20 May 1895 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg and recorded "F, vS, R, N 13 mag.."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/21/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE. Located in the central core of AGC 1656 just 4.6' S of NGC 4874. Also first of three on a SW-NE line with NGC 4875 2.1' NE and NGC 4876 3.5' ENE. IC 3976 lies 2.1' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb