William Herschel discovered NGC 39 = H III-861 = h7 on 2 Nov 1790 (sweep 975) and noted "eF, S." JH made three observations as well as two by d'Arrest.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, diffuse. A mag 14 star is at the south edge. Forms a pair with NGC 43 12' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb