?douard Stephan discovered NGC 1654 = St XII-33 (along with NGC 1657 = St XII-34 and NGC 1661 = St XII-35) on 21 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, oval slightly elongated ~E-W. NGC 1657 4.6' E not seen.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad mild concentration. Brighter of a pair with NGC 1657 4.6' E. Located 10' WSW of mag 9.0 SAO 131483.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb