Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3459 = LM 2-429 on 5 Jan 1887 and recorded "mag 14.0, 1.0'x0.3', gbsbMN." His position is ~20 sec of RA west of MCG -03-28-022 = PGC 32782 and the description matches.

400/500mm - 18" (3/29/03): appeared as a ghostly streak 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.3', slightly brighter center but no well-defined core. Collinear with a mag 14 star 2' NNW of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb