William Herschel discovered NGC 4720 = H III-611 = h1447 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 706) and noted "Suspected, vF, S. I did not stop to verify it." Nevertheless, his position is accurate and was verified on 11 Mar 1787 (sweep 709).

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration, fairly high even surface brightness. Located 3.7' SW of a mag 10 star.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb