This isn't a diamond related question, but I saw some good advice re: use of registered mail via USPS for shipping valuables on this website and I thought I'd ask for advice.
Here's my dilema. I am in Michigan, visiting my dad in a nursing home. I live in Alaska. He has given me two swords (a Civil War sword that belonged to my GG Grandfather) and a WWI officer sword that belonged to my Grandpa. They are both engraved with their names on them. The Civil War sword engraving states that the sword was made for him on orders of a famous Civil War general to honor his bravery in a certain battle, it lists the battles he fought in, etc.
I'd like to get these up to my home where I can store them in a safe, since at this point they are in my Dad's house that is unoccupied 24/7, has old 1950s wiring (he has some lights dangling by wires), etc. So status quo is not great ... makes me nervous.
So I was thinking about shipping, but these are irreplaceable items. An antique dealer told me today he could only give a general, non-written appraisal, since he isn't a civil war expert ... I'd need to go to an expert to get an appraisal that would hold up. After consulting with a friend who is more knowledgeable, he thought the older sword might be worth at least $15K. The newer WWI sword is worth about $2K. But to me they are priceless.
I can't hand carry on an airplane (these are weapons, after all) and I don't trust the baggage handlers, obviously.
These items have been in my family for generations, and the only other option I can see would be to rent a car, drive them out to my in-laws in Oregon, and store there until I can drive down via Canada and pick them up myself.
Suggestions? Do I bite the bullet, take more time off work, spend another thousand or so on the car rental, and do the big multi-day drive? Can anyone think of an alternative?
The antique dealer said if it was him, he would opt for hand delivery only, given the personal and historical significance.
I realize Registered mail works fine most of the time, the item has to be signed for at each step, etc. .. but it seems there are exceptions and losses/damage can occur.
I also looked into Navis Pack and Ship ... supposedly they handle shipping for art auctions, etc and specialize in valuable and/or difficult to ship items. But I don't know much about their security enroute. So I'm not really leaning in that direction.
The reason I'm posting on this forum is that many of you are used to shipping valuable items (and perhaps some that cannot ever be replaced). My apologies if this type of post is outside the Forum groundrules.
Thanks!
Here's my dilema. I am in Michigan, visiting my dad in a nursing home. I live in Alaska. He has given me two swords (a Civil War sword that belonged to my GG Grandfather) and a WWI officer sword that belonged to my Grandpa. They are both engraved with their names on them. The Civil War sword engraving states that the sword was made for him on orders of a famous Civil War general to honor his bravery in a certain battle, it lists the battles he fought in, etc.
I'd like to get these up to my home where I can store them in a safe, since at this point they are in my Dad's house that is unoccupied 24/7, has old 1950s wiring (he has some lights dangling by wires), etc. So status quo is not great ... makes me nervous.
So I was thinking about shipping, but these are irreplaceable items. An antique dealer told me today he could only give a general, non-written appraisal, since he isn't a civil war expert ... I'd need to go to an expert to get an appraisal that would hold up. After consulting with a friend who is more knowledgeable, he thought the older sword might be worth at least $15K. The newer WWI sword is worth about $2K. But to me they are priceless.
I can't hand carry on an airplane (these are weapons, after all) and I don't trust the baggage handlers, obviously.
These items have been in my family for generations, and the only other option I can see would be to rent a car, drive them out to my in-laws in Oregon, and store there until I can drive down via Canada and pick them up myself.
Suggestions? Do I bite the bullet, take more time off work, spend another thousand or so on the car rental, and do the big multi-day drive? Can anyone think of an alternative?
The antique dealer said if it was him, he would opt for hand delivery only, given the personal and historical significance.
I realize Registered mail works fine most of the time, the item has to be signed for at each step, etc. .. but it seems there are exceptions and losses/damage can occur.
I also looked into Navis Pack and Ship ... supposedly they handle shipping for art auctions, etc and specialize in valuable and/or difficult to ship items. But I don't know much about their security enroute. So I'm not really leaning in that direction.
The reason I'm posting on this forum is that many of you are used to shipping valuable items (and perhaps some that cannot ever be replaced). My apologies if this type of post is outside the Forum groundrules.
Thanks!