William Herschel discovered NGC 252 = H II-609 = h59 = h60 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "pB, S, iR, gbM." John Herschel made 4 observations under h59 and a 5th under h60.

Both Herschels missed NGC 258 and NGC 260, which were found by Lord Rosse's assistant George Johnstone Stoney on 22 Dec 1848 ("3 neb in a line, 2 of the novae").

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, moderately large, large slightly elongated halo, bright core, stellar nucleus. Brightest and first of three with NGC 258 3.2' NE and NGC 260 8.4' NE. An uneven double star is 4' WNW (9.5/12 at 30").

Notes by Steve Gottlieb