R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5895, along with NGC 5896, on 23 May 1854 while observing NGC 5893 at Birr Castle. He noted "about 3' nf [of NGC 5893] is a small nebula [NGC 5895], lE, vF with a third vvF neb NGC 5896] close north; I suspect the two novae to be connected, as they are very close, and the n one exactly in a line with the axis of the small one. 2 stars close sf the novae, the f being vS." The description and diagram clearly identifies the two small galaxies. The CGCG lists a single entry for NGC 5895 + 5896 with a combined magnitude of 15.5.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/30/00): very faint, small, slightly elongated, ~25" diameter, no concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' E. Forms a pair with difficult NGC 5896. Located 4.2' NE of NGC 5893.

17.5" (7/12/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Apparently I only viewed the center of this elongated galaxy through thin clouds. Located 1' W of a mag 14 star. At moments I suspected a marginal glow close north which might have been NGC 5896. Located 11' SSE of mag 6 SAO 45445.

17.5" (5/2/92): extremely faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE. A mag 14 star is 1.1' E of center. Forms a pair with NGC 5893 4.2' SW.

600/800mm - 24" (6/21/20): at 375x; very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 25"x8", even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 1' E. Forms a close pair with NGC 5896 1' N.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb