William Herschel discovered NGC 4274 = H I-75 = h1185 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and simply noted "vB". JH made the single observation "vB; vL; E in parallel (E-W); 2' l, 1.5' br." On 24 Apr 1849, LdR or assistant George Stoney suspected a "faint tail following". This probably refers to part of the ring surrounding the core.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/98): bright, very large, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, ~5'x2' though difficult to trace the full extent as the outer halo fades into background. Well concentrated with a bright roundish core ~1' diameter which increases to a very small or stellar nucleus. NGC 4253 lies 22' NW, NGC 4245 29' W and NGC 4278/NGC 4283/NGC 4286 ~20' SSE. Observation in hazy skies.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb