William Herschel discovered NGC 5875 = H II-755 on 1 May 1788 (sweep 840) and recorded "pB, pL, lE." His position was just off the northwest edge of the galaxy and Engelhardt measured a precise micrometric position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, brighter core. Forms a 5.6' pair SSW with much fainter CGCG 274-026, which was logged as "very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE".

600/800mm - 24" (7/28/19): at 322x; fairly bright, fairly large, well concentrated with a relatively large bulging core. The nucleus was stellar and indistinct. The central region is noticeably uneven in surface brightness, probably reflecting spiral structure. (confirmed). A string of 4 stars, each increasing in brightness, extends to the SE with mag 8.3 HD 134809 9' SE. Brightest in a group (WBL) 549.

CGCG 274-19, 12' W, appeared fairly faint, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, 0.5'x0.3'. Contains a faint but sharp stellar nucleus.

CGCG 274-22, 16' SW, was nearly fairly faint, elongated 5:2 N-S, 0.5'x0.2', small bright core, fainter extensions.

NGC 5875A (UGC 9745), 15' SSW, appeared fairly faint, roundish, 30", very weak concentration, no distinct core or nucleus.

CGCG 274-24, 7' SW, was almost fairly faint, round, 18" diameter, compact.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb