Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC and William Herschel's description ""A course scattered cluster of stars, not rich." is not specific enough to pin down his intended "cluster".

William Herschel discovered NGC 2358 = H VIII-45 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "A course scattered cluster of stars, not rich., not compressed" JH did not record an observation of this "cluster" and it was not observed at Birr Castle. There is a large (~20') Milky Way field (described in my observation) including a number of mag 10 stars close to WH's position. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

400/500mm - 18" (3/13/10): gorgeous low power Milky Way field at 72x (63'), though nothing stands out distinctly as cluster-like. At the given position (07 16.9 -17 07 (2000), is a weak enhancement, roughly 20' diameter, with a nice quardruple group of mag 10-11 stars on the south side. This field enhancement is only noticeable as the Milky Way is weaker or dusty to the north and south of the group and the background glow brightens near the position of NGC 2358.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb