Hermann Kobold discovered IC 5307 = K. 2-40, along with IC 5305 and 5306, on 26 Oct 1897. He simply noted "vF, vS", but his position is accurate enough to clearly match LEDA 214932. This galaxy is mentioned in the notes to UGC 12485 (NGC 7594) but was not identified as IC 5307. Kobold identified this object as Kobold 23 (his 23rd discovery) in his 1907 compilation of positions in Strasbourg Annales, Vol. 3, 1907.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/18/95): extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter. Faintest of four in NGC 7594 group and requires averted to glimpse. Located 2.7' ESE of IC 5306 and 4.3' SE of NGC 7594.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb