Edward Holden discovered NGC 5496 on 23 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory and noted "E 180°, bM, 6'-8' long." His position (measured more accurately on 8 May 1882) matches UGC 9079. It's unusual that the Herschels missed this relatively bright galaxy.

Based on photographs taken at the Helwan observatory between 1919-20, it was described as "pB, 4.5' x 0.5', E 170°; rather irregular patch spiral seen almost edgewise, no nucleus"

200/250mm - 8" (6/30/84): extremely faint edge-on N-S, moderately large. Requires averted vision as the surface brightness is quite low.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, large, very thin edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, ~3.5'x0.6'. Low surface brightness with only a weak concentration towards the center. A mag 15 star is embedded on the following side of the NNW extension [50" from center].

Notes by Steve Gottlieb