Herbert Howe discovered IC 4401 = Ho. II-11 on 10 May 1899 and recorded "vF, S, mE 200°." His position matches PGC 51173. Malcolm Thomson argues that this galaxy was the first of two discovered by Lewis Swift (IC 997 and 998), and hence should be identified as IC 997, but Harold Corwin disagrees. See IC 997 for more.

400/500mm - 18" (6/18/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~SW-NE, though the orientation shifted slightly with averted vision. Weak concentration to a small, slightly brighter core. Visible with direct vision, though mostly the small core remained. Second brightest of trio with much fainter IC 997 9' ENE and IC 998. Malcolm Thomson argues that this galaxy was likely the first of two observed by Swift and should be identified as IC 997.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb