Lewis Swift discovered IC 642 = Sw. VII-15 on 12 Apr 1888 and reported "vF; pS; lE; forms a curve with 2 st. f[ollowing]." His RA is 9 seconds too large, but the description fits and the ID is certain.

600/800mm - 24" (4/13/18): at 200x and 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, slightly out of round, 50" diameter, contains a bright core that increases to a relatively faint stellar nucleus. Situated in a sparce star field.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb