DATE: Vintage, c.1960

Most unusual vintage cigarette case dating from the 1960s. The outer cover is a laminated envelope with stamp and the address of one:

The stamp features a young queen Elizabeth the 2nd, first issued in 1960 so provides a rough date. However, the only fragments I can find linking a Lady Bell to Mongreenan, a centuries old stately home in Ayrshire, refers to "Sir James and Lady Bell of Montgreenan provided a grand Christmas treat for the children on the estate and others in the hall at the mains." (The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald files 1903). The question of who made this and why will more than likely remain unanswered... of course, it's possible the paper and writing do indeed date from the aforementioned Lady Bell's era, and someone made up this case with a later stamp. The Montgreenan estate was inhabited at least as early as 1604, described by Timothy Point as: 

"ane old strong Dunijon veil and pleasantly planted ye inheritance of Cuninghame Laird thereof sone to the abott of Kilwinin quho wes brother to James Earle of Glencairne”

MEASUREMENTS 

4.25 x 3.25 inches

MARKS 

PHV&Co (P H Vogal & Co)

Made in England

CONDITION 

Very good