?douard Stephan discovered NGC 1612 = St XI-31 (along with NGC 1613 = St XI-32) on 21 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, small, round, very faint stellar nucleus. Faintest of three with NGC 1613 6.5' SSE and NGC 1611 7.5' SSW. Member of the NGC 1600 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb