William Herschel discovered NGC 4288 = H III-726 = h1191 on 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) and noted "eF, pS." JH made 3 observations and reported on sweep 138 "pF; R; vgbM; 60"."

400/500mm - 17.5" fairly faint, moderately large, oval NNW-SSE, gradually brighter halo. Located almost at the midpoint of a mag 13 star 3.3' NNW and a mag 13.5 star 3.7' SSE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 4288A 2.3' S. The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' S. Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb