William Herschel discovered NGC 4256 = H II-846 = h1174 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and logged "pB, mE, BN, 5' long and 1/2' broad from sp to nf." JH recorded "pB; vmE in pos 218.2°; 90" l." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/20/93): bright striking galaxy, large, very thin edge-on 4.0'x0.5' SW-NE, elongated bright core, almost stellar nucleus, thin tapering extensions. NGC 4210 lies 21' WNW and NGC 4332 25' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb