James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1917 = D 130 on 25 Sep 1826 and described "a small round nebula." His position is about 10' ESE of this cluster, certainly within his usual errors. JH independently discovered NGC 1917 = h2831 on 16 Dec 1835 and recorded "vF, L, R, gvlbM, 1'." His position (only recorded on this one sweep) is accurate.

600/800mm - 24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster (possible a globular) appeared fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1' diameter, with a broad concentration. A 1' string of 3 faint stars to the east is collinear with the cluster. S-L 397 lies 8' NE, and appeared as a compact, but relatively bright, elongated glow with an irregular or mottled surface, ~30" diameter.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb