Albert Marth discovered NGC 7838 = m 598, along with NGC 7837, on 29 Nov 1864 and simply noted "eF, D neb [with NGC 7837].
400/500mm - 17.5" (8/2/86): very faint, very small, round. Forms a very close pair with NGC 7837 just 38" W of center. Located in the NGC 3 group with NGC 7834 4.5' WNW and NGC 3 8' SE.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb