William Herschel discovered NGC 7137 = H II-261 = h2132 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 319) and logged "F, iR, less than 1' dia." JH made two observations, noting on sweep 166, "F; R; vglbM; 30"; r." His mean position matches UGC 11815.

200/250mm - 8" (8/5/83): very faint, small, round, diffuse.

300/350mm - 13.1" (8/5/83): fairly faint, moderately large, round. Fairly low surface brightness.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/2/89): moderately bright, moderately large, oval SSW-NNE. Mottled appearance with an irregular surface brightness and an impression of knots involved.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb