Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6985 = LM 1-234 on 11 Jun 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, 0.2' dia, iR." There is nothing anywhere near his very rough position (nearest minute of RA). Harold Corwin identifies NGC 6985 with MCG -02-53-001 = PGC 65306 (based on his discovery sketch). This galaxy is located 11 minutes of RA west of Leavenworth's position! Bigourdan, of course, was unable to find this object.

The Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition) has no listing for NGC 6985 and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 6985.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/3/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, weak concentration to a small brighter core. A mag 15 star is just 40" ENE and a mag 13 star 1.2' W of center. Located 2.5' WNW of mag 8 SAO 163850 and 4.6' SSE of mag 7.5 SAO 163846! NGC 6985A, a companion (possibly interacting) at the southwest edge, was not seen.

600/800mm - 24" (7/28/16): at 260x; fairly faint, oval 4:3 ~E-W, ~30"x20", small bright core. A mag 15.2 star is just off the ENE side [36" from center]. Situated 2.5' WNW of mag 8.7 HD 197625. I looked for NGC 6985A (a contiguous Magellanic Irregular on the west end) and there appeared to be some haze extending off the southwest side, but I wasn't able to confirm in soft seeing conditions.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb