R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 74 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group. It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 29 Sep 1886, matching PGC 1219, as well as Hermann Kobold in 1898.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, small, elongated NW-SE, diffuse, even surface brightness. Located 6' E of NGC 71 at the east edge of the NGC 68/NGC 70 group.

600/800mm - 24" (9/15/12): faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.25', broad weak concentration. On the east side of the NGC 67-72 group, 5.6' due east of NGC 71.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb