Lewis Swift discovered IC 4296 = Sw. XI-158, along with IC 4299, on 30 Dec 1897 and reported it as "pF; pS; R." His position is 7' too far south, misplacing IC 4296 ~2' SW of IC 4297. Howe examined the field in 1900 and reported, "there is an error of about 7' in the declination given in A.N. 3517, the nebula being north of the position there given."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/21/01): moderately bright, moderately large, at least 2' diameter, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Brightest in AGC 3565 and group LGG 353 (part of the Centaurus-Hydra supercluster). Forms a pair with IC 4299 6' SSE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb