William Herschel discovered NGC 4739 = H III-515 = h1455 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536) and reported "vF, S, E." His position is at the southeast edge of MCG -01-33-029 = PGC 43571.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, gradual central brightening, possibly contains faint stellar nucleus. Located 10' NW of mag 8.8 SAO 139005.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb