Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6612 around 1886. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer, who referenced his 6th discovery list which was under preparation when the NGC was published. But Swift didn't include this object in either in his 6th or later 9th list, which included several objects Swift discovered prior to the publication of the NGC. His description reads "eeF; eS; R; v diff." and his position is 12 seconds of RA west and 3' north of CGCG 200-014 = PGC 61665, the only nearby galaxy.

Bigourdan measured an accurate position for this galaxy on 3 Jul 1897. Howe reported "I was unable to find anything at the NGC position for this "v. diff." object, but I measured a supposed nebula about 5' away, making at the time of observation the note "eF, eS"; a little question whether there really is nebulosity here." Possibly 6612 is identical with [IC] 1279, with an error of 5 minutes in R.A." His position for the measured nebula matches CGCG 200-014.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/1/89): very faint, extremely small, slightly elongated. A mag 16 star is involved at the NE edge, a mag 15 star is 1' NE and a mag 13.5 star is 1.6' SSW. Located 4.5' NNE of a mag 10 star.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb