Ralph Copeland, while an assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 3746 and 2 other members of "Copeland's Septet" on 9 Feb 1874. He noted "pB; cL; glbM; E 90° +/-" and labeled it Gamma on the constructed sketch made on 13 Apr 1876. See NGC 3753.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/11/96): this member of Copeland's Septet appears very faint, very small, round. Brightest of close trio with similar NGC 3748 1.6' NE and NGC 3745 just 0.7' N.

17.5" (3/19/88): first of 7 in Copeland's Septet and second brightest in the group. Very faint, very small, round. Brightest of a close trio with NGC 3745 43" NNE and NGC 3748 1.6' NE.

900/1200mm - 48" (4/16/15): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core. The 0.6'x0.4' halo has a low surface brightness. NGC 3745 is 40" N with NGC 3748 1.6' NE.

The 9th member of the group, 2MASX J11373896+2202269, lies 2.1' NW. It appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter. This galaxy is not a member of HCG 57.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb