Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4279 = Sw. III-64, along with NGC 4280 and 4285, on 6 May 1886. His description reads "eeF; vS; R; 1st of 3." There are only two galaxies near his positions for these three objects and only his position for NGC 4285 = Sw. III-66 lands directly on a galaxy. His first two positions are both to the south of MCG -02-32-003 = PGC 39812. Modern catalogues assign NGC 4279 = PGC 39812. See NGC 4280.

400/500mm - 18" (5/8/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, very small brighter core. Brighter of a close pair with NGC 4285 4' NE. A couple of faint stars are between the two galaxies (these are possibly Swift's NGC 4280).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb