William Herschel discovered NGC 4181 = H III-777 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "eF, S, stellar neb." His re-reduced position is 1' south of MCG +09-20-111 = CGCG 269-041, so this identification is certain. The RNGC data is confusing. Based on the comment "companion 1' N" (but not the position), the RNGC misidentifies NGC 4187 as NGC 4181.

400/500mm - 16" LX200 (4/14/07): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. A mag 11 star lies 1.5' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb