|
|
Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
|
|
|
|
|
Microscope
155 (Flatters
& Garnett; dissecting microscope; first half of 20th century)
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 155 is a
dissecting microscope sold by Flatters & Garnett and can be dated to the
first half of the 20th century (Figure 1). This instrument should
be a version of the Cornex dissecting
microscope made by R&J Beck, for which Flatters & Garnett were
distributers. The dissecting microscope is made of solid mahogany with
tapered ends that form rests for the hands. There is a white glass plate
located underneath the glass stage, placed at a 45-degree angle for
illumination. The lens is held in a fitting which swings over the stage plate
and slides up and down for focussing. This type of microscope was used mainly
to study small flowers and plants as well as small animals.
Figure 1. Dissecting
microscope as featured in a 1929 Flatters & Garnett’s catalogue. |
