William Herschel discovered NGC 6252 = H III-975, along with NGC 6251 on 1 Jan 1802 (sweep 1106) and recorded "Two, the preceding NGC 6251] cF, S, bM. The following [NGC 6252] vF, vS. The place is that of the first. The 2nd is about 3' more north, and only a few seconds of time following, they being nearly in the same meridian." This is the most northerly galaxy that WH discovered.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/1/86): fairly faint, round, weak concentration, can hold with direct vision. NGC 6252 is slightly smaller and has a much smoother surface brightness than NGC 6251 2.4' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb