William Herschel discovered NGC 5536 = H III-731 = h1768, along with NGC 5541, on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) and recorded "vF, vS." His position is ~1' north of UGC 9136. JH made the single observation "F; R; the p of 2 or perhaps of 3."

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/15/99): faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.7'x0.5', very small brighter core. Located near the midpoint of two mag 11.5 stars 3.5' NW and 3.5' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 5541 5.5' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb