William Herschel discovered NGC 4658 = H II-558 = h3414 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and recorded "F, E in meridian [N-S], nearly 3' l, following a cB star." NGC 4658 was discovered by WH (II 558). JH logged "eF; attached like a wisp to a * 16m; a * 9m precedes."

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, elongated ~N-S, appears mottled or irregular. Located 2.5' E of mag 8.6 SAO 138945. A faint mag 14.5 star is off the NW edge 0.6' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 4663 7.2' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb