John Herschel discovered NGC 174 = h2333 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "F, S, lE, among several bright stars." The next sweep he noted "vF, S, R.". Finally on a third sweep he recorded "vF, R, 25", near one or two stars." His mean position matches ESO 411-001 = PGC 2206.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is just off the SE edge. Situated among a group of mag 10-11 stars including mag 9.5 SAO 166412 3' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb