William Herschel discovered NGC 1058 = H II-633 = h255 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) and logged "F, cL, R, lbM, 4' diameter. In Oct 1828 (sweep 188), John Herschel recorded, "pF; L; R; glbM; 50"." His RA was 9 seconds too small. This galaxy was observed 4 times at Birr Castle. On 24 Nov 1854, R.J. Mitchell remarked "L, R. Susp Nucl or * in centre, 2 conspicuous stars inv in the preceding side." Hermann Kobold measured a fairly accurate position in 1899 at Strasbourg (published in 1907).

300/350mm - 13.1" (11/29/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, almost even surface brightness. A faint star mag 14.5 star is superimposed on the NW edge.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/8/90): moderately bright, moderately large, round, almost even surface brightness, no distinct core, possibly mottled. A mag 14 star is involved at the NW edge and a mag 15 star is involved at the south end. A mag 11.5 star lies 2.3' SSW of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb