Rudolph Spitaler discovered IC 838 on 24 Feb 1892 with the 27-inch refractor at Vienna, although he confused the main object he reported as new. His description for Nova 61 (actually NGC 4849) reads, "Brightness and appearance like Nova 58. Probably identical with Nova d'Arrest NGC 4849]. Northeast of this nebula, at 1.5', there is still another nebula, but much fainter; Both together form a pretty double nebula." Dreyer realized that Spitaler 61 refers to NGC 4849, but Spitaler's second nebula to the northeast nebula was catalogued as IC 838.

600/800mm - 24" (6/3/19): at 322x; very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness, 15" diameter. This outlying member of AGC 1656 is located just 1.8' N of the center of NGC 4849.

24" (5/22/17): at 375x; extremely faint, very small, round, 10" diameter [core region only]. This faint galaxy forms a double with NGC 4849 just 1.8' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb