William Herschel discovered NGC 4448 = H I-91 = h1280 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and recorded "vB, E in the direction of the parallel [east-west]. It has a B, pL nucleus sending forth a ray to each side." JH made 4 observations, describing it on sweep 343 "B; L; mE exactly in parallel; smbM."

400/500mm - 18" (4/5/03): bright, large, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, 2.8'x1.2'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright, well-defined 35"x25" oval core. Located 27' NE of mag 4.3 15 Gamma Comae Berenices.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb