John Herschel discovered NGC 2888 = h3166 on 30 Mar 1835 and logged "pF R; smbM; very dilute at edges; 30"." His position (on 2 sweeps) matches ESO 434-002 = PGC 26768.
400/500mm - 17.5" (2/28/87): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb