William Herschel discovered NGC 4220 = H I-209 = h1151 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "cB, cL." John Herschel made the single observation "pB; pmE in pos 314.4°; psbM. (Foggy)" His position is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, edge-on 7:2 NW-SE, brighter core, stellar nucleus. Located 12' S of mag 8.3 SAO 44096. NGC 4218 lies 15' NNW. Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb