Albert Marth discovered NGC 7551 = m 548 on 3 Nov 1864 and noted a "neb. star 13m." His position is less than 1' south of LEDA 3978375, which has a very faint star superimposed on the southwest side. Interestingly, Edward Fath reported in his "A Study of Nebulae" (1914) there was a double star in the position of NGC 7551, based on plates taken with the 60-inch at Mt. Wilson in 1909-1912. Apparently the galaxy was stellar-like on the plate.

RNGC misidentifies a close companion 20" NE of NGC 7540 as NGC 7551. This identification is clearly wrong as Marth placed NGC 7541 45 seconds of RA following NGC 7540 (both were found on the same night). Malcolm Thomson reported this error in his unpublished "Catalogue Corrections", as well as Harold Corwin in his NGC identification notes.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/17/93): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, very small brighter core, stellar nucleus. Located 11.1' E of NGC 7540.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb