Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6291 = Sw. II-47, along with NGC 6290 and 6286, on 13 Aug 1885 and recorded "eeF; eS; R; s of 2 [with NGC 6290]." MCG fails to label this galaxy as NGC 6291, though the identification is certain.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 6290 2.0' N and part of a group (LDCE 1228) that includes NGC 6285/6286 (Arp 293).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb