John Herschel discovered NGC 2771 = h561, along with NGC 2769, on 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329) and logged, "vF; S; lE; 10"." The next night he also recorded NGC 2767. His mean position (2 sweeps) is 8 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 4817, but the identification is certain.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/5/97): the largest member of a small trio with NGC 2767 4.6' WNW and NGC 2769 3.4' NNW appears faint, round, 1.5' diameter with a fairly low surface brightness. Broad concentration with a very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 13' SW of mag 6.6 SAO 27165.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb