William Herschel discovered NGC 3266 = H II-871 = h717 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and noted "F, vS, mbM." His position matches UGC 5725. On 2 Apr 1832 (sweep 717), John Herschel wrote, "vF; R; psmbM; almost to a star."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated small bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 3259 lies 20' NNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb