Ormond Stone discovered NGC 59 = LM 1-1 on 10 Nov 1885 and recorded "pS, iR, lE 120°". His very rough RA (to nearest tmin) is coincidentally just 0.2 tmin E of ESO 539-004 = PGC 1034 and the position angle matches. In the paper "Southern Nebulae" from Leander McCormick Observatory, the position was micrometrically measured and pinpoints ESO 539-004.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, large bright core. There are four mag 13-14 stars to the west.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb