Lewis Swift discovered IC 81 = Sw. VII-2 on 18 Oct 1887 and reported "eF;, S; lE; * close nf." His position is 2.8' WNW of CGCG 385-010 = PGC 4127. Herbert Howe reobserved the galaxy in 1900 and reported, "I could find no "* close nf." A star of mag 11 follows 3s, 0.3' south." He also corrected the position, which was repeated in the IC notes/corrections section. The MCG lists this galaxy (-00-04-013), but doesn't identify it as IC 81.

600/800mm - 24" (9/22/17): at 375x; fairly faint, small, round, sharp stellar nucleus, surround by a small 15" halo that was better seen with averted vision. A mag 13.2 is close southeast [0.8' from center]. Forms a pair with UGC 726 9.4' ESE. The UGC appeared faint, moderately large, elongated NW-SE but irregular with a low surface brightness, weakly brighter center. A mag 9.6 star is 5' WSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb