Albert Marth discovered NGC 4493 = m 241 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS, iR." His position is accurate, though he didn't notice the faint companion off the southeast end.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/24/90): faint, small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness. Located 4.7' SE of mag 8.6 SAO 119442.

600/800mm - 24" (5/20/17): at 200x and 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 30"x25". Contains a small slightly brighter core and brighter nucleus with direct vision. Located 4.7' SE of mag 8.5 HD 108916.

At 200x an extremely faint "knot" (companion) was suspected off the southeast side [50" between centers]. The companion was definitely glimpsed at 260x and appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, stellar nucleus. At 375x it was just visible continuously with averted (V = 15.2, B = 16.1) and was round, 12" diameter, possible stellar nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb