William Herschel discovered NGC 5074 = H III-309 = h1575 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "eF, vS." JH made a single observation and measured a fairly accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/1/02): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter. Fairly low even surface brightness. Located 10' S of mag 8.0 SAO 63458. Possible outlying member of AGC 1656.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb