Original costume designs for the 1936 Centenary Pageants and theatre productions. Many were for Heather Gell's 'Heritage', others for the street pageant 'Pageant of Progress' and the 'Landing at Glenelg and the Proclamation'.

In 1986 Thelma Afford donated to the Mortlock Library 80 of the original costume designs which she had created for the 1936 South Australian Centenary pageant. Thelma Thomas Afford was a gifted teacher of art and a prolific costume designer, working in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney from the 1930s to the 1950s. She was married to the playwright Max Afford.

In 1936 South Australia celebrated 100 years since the foundation of the state as a British colony, producing histories, plays and exhibitions to mark the achievements of the century. The grand finale of the year's celebrations was the 'Pageant of Progress', held in December.

Thelma Afford was a talented designer, exploring uses of various media for her costume work, and was a recognised authority on the history of costume and theatre in Australia. Her designs for the 1936 special events included innovative interpretations of technology as well as agricultural products and flora and fauna. With her background in the history of costume she also brought authenticity to her designs of the dress of significant early settlers.

The staff member who nominated the Afford sketches for the 'staff favourites' exhibition wrote: 'I found the drawings to be utterly exquisite and think it would be a great item to display...'