R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 876 on 22 Nov 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72", during his observation of h210 = NGC 877. He noted this nebula as "sp [h210 = NGC 877] I suspect a vvF patch" and labeled it on the sketch as Delta. Copeland computed a micrometric position on 15 Nov 1873. The field of NGC 870, 871, 876 and 877 was observed at Birr Castle 14 times from 1850 to 1875.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/18/89): extremely faint, visible for moments with averted, very small, almost round. A pair of mag 14.5 stars lie 1.5' S. Located just 2' SW of NGC 877 and 4' NW of mag 8 SAO 92878.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb