John Herschel discovered NGC 5291 = h3535 on 8 May 1834 and recorded "vF; R; vlbM; follows a bright double star." His position is 1' too far north.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core. Forms a double system with MCG -05-33-005 just 0.6' SSW. MCG -05-33-005 appeared very faint, very small, round, nearly attached to the south end of NGC 5291. The companion is known as the "Seashell Galaxy" due to its unusual "whelk" appearance on photographs. Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb