William Herschel discovered NGC 1287 = H III-195 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and noted "eF, eS, verified with 240 power." His RA is 13 seconds too large. Heinrich d'Arrest noted the error and his mean position (3 nights) is close off the northeast edge of the galaxy.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, round, even surface brightness. Located 9' NW of mag 7.1 SAO 130415.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb