William Herschel discovered NGC 3259 = H II-870 = h715 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and logged "F, S, iR, almost of equal light throughout." On 2 Apr 1832 (sweep 411), John Herschel noted "F; R; gbM; 18"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, oval elongated SSW-NNE, broad moderate concentration. Located 10' WNW of mag 8.4 SAO 15220. NGC 3266 lies 20' SSE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb