Albert Marth discovered NGC 4287 = m 238, along with NGC 4249, 4252, 4266 and 4282 on 26 May 1864. His position is 1' south of CGCG 042-037 = PGC 39860.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/24/90): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, low surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star on the west edge slightly hampers the view. NGC 4282 lies 6' SW.

600/800mm - 24" (4/28/14): faint to fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 or 5:1 WSW-ENE, 35"x8", fairly low even surface brightness. A mag 14.3 star is attached on the northwest side and detracts from viewing. NGC 4282 lies 7' SW and IC 782 is 14' NE (the trio is collinear). In addition, NGC 4266 and 4270 are both ~18' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb