William Herschel discovered NGC 4877 = H III-299 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 372) and logged "pB, pL, mbM." There is nothing near his position, but 54 sec of RA due east is MCG -02-33-086 = PGC 44761 and the description fits. Wilhelm Tempel measured an accurate micrometric position (list V), which was used in the NGC.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core. Located 2.8' SE of mag 9 SAO 157648. Forms a pair with MCG -02-33-082 7.2' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb