Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1290 = LM 1-101 (along with NGC 1295 = LM 1-102) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA) but 1.2 tmin of RA east is PGC 12395. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

RNGC and MCG misidentify MCG -02-09-030 as NGC 1290. The correct identification is NGC 1295 = MCG -02-09-030.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/12/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Located 1.3' SE of a mag 13.5 star. Forms a pair with NGC 1295 9' due east. The identifications of NGC 1290 and NGC 1295 are reversed in the RNGC.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb