Letters received for the Centenary (1947) of Charles Davis' business in Hobart.

The Centenary of the firm had been discussed as early as 1937, and money was put aside for it.    The first item organised for the centenary was the history of the firm, "A Century of Progress" which was published and widely distributed to customers, other businesses and schools.  Charles Davis Ltd's employees all received a copy, as well as an extra weeks' pay added to the usual bonus, making five weeks in all.  For the centenary itself, the disply Department organised the largest display it had ever produced, depicting life a hundred years earlier - a drawing room, a street scene, model ships and relics of whaling days.  The theme was a lamp, because Charles had been a lampmaker, and a special exhibit was a candlestick made in the firm's workshop in 1847. 

Many interstate guests were invited for the centenary and their first function was the Staff Centenary Ball, attended by the directors and about 350 members of staff.  The following evening the Centenary Dinner was held.  Present were the Govenor, the premier, the Mayor of Hobart, nearly 200 Tasmanian businessmen, interstate guests and the directors and senior emloyees of Charles Davis Ltd.

Saturday saw the grand finale of the celebrations - the Centenary Sports Carnival at the Elwick Show Ground.  It had been widely advertised and any employee, shareholder or customer could apply for an invitation: over 3,000 people attended and it was a day enjoyed by all.