Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1451, along with NGC 1449, on 9 Oct 1864. His position (measured on 4 nights) matches MCG -01-10-033 = PGC 13801 and he measured a mag 12 star that precedes by 12 seconds of time. WH probably saw NGC 1449 and 1451 in an observation of NGC 1441 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638). He mentions "I suspected two more following; but quite uncertain, not having been out long enough." Due to his uncertainty, they were not assigned internal discovery numbers.

300/350mm - 13.1" (12/18/82): faint, very small, round. In a trio with NGC 1441 6.2' WSW and NGC 1449 4.2' SSW within a group. Located 7.9' SW of NGC 1453.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb