Stephane Javelle discovered IC 881 = J. 1-241, along with IC 882, on 22 Jul 1892. His position is just off the west side of the galaxy (similar offset error as IC 882).

600/800mm - 24" (6/3/19): at 322x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 4:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.2'm well concentrated with a small bright core. IC 881 is the brighter and larger of a pair with IC 882 3.9' NE. Both are at a distance of ~320 million l.y.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb