Lewis Swift discovered NGC 73 = Sw. V-5 on 21 Oct 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "vF; S; R; vF D* close following." His position is 30" N of MCG -03-01-026 = PGC 1211 and his comment about the "vF D * close f" applies.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. A mag 14/15 double star is close following (separation of 24" oriented SW-NE).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb