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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
504 (Flatters
& Garnett; small dissecting microscope; 1920s)
Abraham
Flatters and Charles Garnett established their company in 1901 to supply microscopical
equipment. The first location of the company was as a chemist shop at 46
Deansgate, Manchester, displaying the microscope and lantern slides made by
Flatters. By 1906, the company sold the chemists on Deansgate and moved to 32
Dover Street, near the University and opposite the Manchester High School for
Girls. In 1909, a serious rift developed between Flatters and the other
directors. The Garnetts agreed to buy out his share
and Flatters set up a business with some other members of the staff under the
name of Flatters, Milbourne and McKechnie. In 1913,
Flatters and Garnett Ltd moved to larger premises at 309 Oxford Road,
opposite the University. Flatters & Garnett Ltd expanded its business
steadily during the 1920s, increasing their range. In 1932, the firm acquired
a large Victorian house on Wynnstay Grove in Fallowfield where it moved the
microslide, specimen, photographic and chemical departments. In 1950, the
company introduced the Mikrops industrial
projector. This replaced the microscope for routine examination in many
laboratories. Due to financial problems, the company went into liquidation in
1967. Microscope 504 is a small dissecting microscope engraved with “FLATTERS
& GARNETT LTD, MANCHESTER”. The instrument should be dated to the 1920s
and came with its original wooden box.
Figure 1. Flatters &
Garnett’s small dissecting microscope, as featured on a 1929 catalogue of the
firm. |
