Albert Marth discovered NGC 4252 on 26 May 1864, along with NGCs 4249, 4266, 4282 and 4287. He noted "F, E." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/24/90): extremely faint, small, edge-on SW-NE, low surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 4249 7' WNW. Located at the west side of the large NGC 4261 group.

600/800mm - 24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 42"x14". even surface brightness. NGC 4249 lies 8' WNW, NGC 4257 is 13' NE and NGC 4266 is 18' E.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb