Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 218 (Flatters & Garnett; dissecting microscope; first half of 20^th 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 218 is a dissecting microscope sold by Flatters & Garnett and can be dated to the first half of the 20^th 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.