William Herschel discovered NGC 4204 = H III-397 = h1141 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and recorded "vF; vL, irr, about 5 or 6' from np to sf and 4 or 5' broad, unequally bright but brightest towards the middle." JH noted "eF; L; vglbM; 45"." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE. Brighter along the major axis but no distinct core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb