Albert Marth discovered NGC 7540 = m 544 on 3 Nov 1864 and noted "F, vS, stellar." His position is accurate.
400/500mm - 17.5" (7/17/93): very faint, very small, round, very small slightly brighter core. A mag 13 star is 1.9' ENE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 7551 11.1' E. The close companion just 44" W (misidentified as NGC 7551 in the RNGC and PGC) was not seen.
17.5" (7/19/90): very faint, very small, round, small bright core. A mag 13 star is 2' E. NGC 7567 lies 25' ESE.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb