Thanks for all the reassurance on both the price I paid and the shipping!
It's good to know that even without the family connection I didn't do too badly and the history is certainly priceless. Now that the initial shock has worn off, I'm really looking forward to being the bible's caretaker, and sharing it with people who want to see the cherished bible of a very early colonial family. One thing I love about all those repairs is that they make it so human. It doesn't look like a relic that was kept behind a velvet rope in a museum. This was clutched to someone's heart when they sailed across the ocean, prayed over in times of fear and wept on in times of grief, then carefully stitched and cobbled back together because it had been through it all. Ya gotta love that!
I've never had problems receiving and I keep a PO box near my work because I'm in a rural area and things arrive wet and/or damaged here. It is the main post office hub, and I usually get things a day earlier because it is the sort facility. I looked at the tracking and they sent the package insured, with a signature required and proof of delivery. Still, I will be anxious until it gets here.
That said, I'm SO freakin' excited!!!!!!!
