I though I'd add that the first visual observation I'm aware of was made by Dana Patchick back in April 1982, just using an 8" f/6 reflector in southern California. I assume he was using a UHC or...
I can contribute a 4" observation from 2012, Hakos, Namibia (40x, 1.8° field).
I almost forgot to draw NGC 5139 on our first trip to the south. So I was in a hurry to get it done. And I managed to...
The Jewel Box was the first object I drew on my first trip to the southern hemisphere. I already decided at home that I want to draw on our first night as well. And that my target would be NGC 4755....