Albert Marth discovered NGC 6697 = m 390 on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "F, vS, stell." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/1/89): faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, small bright core. A mag 15 star is just off the SW edge 14" from center, rich star field. Several bright stars near including three mag 10 stars 1.9' ESE and 4.2' ESE on a line and also 2.3' SSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb