William Herschel discovered NGC 4387 = H II-167 = h1250, along with NGC 4388, 4413 and 4425, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Two nebulae NGC 4388 and 4387]. The most southern NGC 4388] extended." His position is between the two galaxies. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 4 different nights (#255 in AN 1537).

300/350mm - 13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S. A faint star is close north.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is 1.4' NNW. This member of the Virgo cluster is located in the center of the triangle formed by M84, M86 and NGC 4388 with NGC 4388 9' S, M84 10' NW and M86 11' NE.

600/800mm - 24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:4 NNW-SSE, 25"x20", gradually increases to a stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NNW and a mag 15.5 star is 50" S of center. At the center of M84, M86 and NGC 4388, ~10' from each galaxy.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb