Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1203 = LM 1-85 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is a good match with MCG -03-08-070/071 = PGC 11603/11599. This is a close double system with the brighter component (identified as NGC 1203A in NED and MCG) on the south side. The magnitudes are reversed (brighter mag associated with the northern component) in several sources. It's likely Leavenworth saw the combined glow of both objects as I could pick out the northern component. Howe called this object "extremely faint and very small", with no indication of a companion.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/13/90): very faint, very small, round. A very close contact pair NGC 1203B is attached at the NE end. The fainter companion appeared extremely faint and small, round. Located almost at midpoint of mag 8.2 SAO 148753 2.6' SE and mag 9.5 SAO 148757 3.1' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb