William Herschel discovered NGC 4700 = H III-524 = h1438 = h3426 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and noted "cF, 4' long and 3/4' broad." His position matches MCG -02-33-013 = PGC 43330. From the Cape of Good Hope, JH logged "pB; mE; vlbM; 30" l; 15" br."

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, thin edge-on 5:1 SW-NE. A mag 12 star lies 2' W of center. NGC 4708 lies 21' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb