Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4764, along with NGC 4761, in March 1882, and reported it in his 5th paper near NGC 4776 and 4778. The NGC description reads "eF, eS, sf Dneb 4759." As Tempel didn't mention any direction in the Astronomische Nachricten article, this information was perhaps communicated directly to Dreyer.

NGC 4764 is probably HCG 62D = PGC 43760, located 3.5' due south of the double system NGC 4759 = NGC 4776/NGC 4778. If this identification is correct, HCG 62D would be the faintest galaxy Tempel discovered (V = 15.0). RNGC and MCG identify HCG 62C = NGC 4761 as NGC 4764. The identifications are discussed by both Malcolm Thomson and Harold Corwin.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/13/96): HCG 62d appears extremely faint and small, round, requires averted but once located can hold at least 50% of time. Located 1.9' SSE of a mag 9 star. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.3' SW. Faintest of four in HCG 62.

17.5" (5/17/90): extremely faint and small, round, almost stellar, glimpsed for moments only. Located in a compact galaxy group 3.5' S of double system NGC 4759 and 2' S of mag 9.1 SAO 139019. A mag 14 star is 1.5' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb