Jody,

Just re-read the end of your message about how to deal with shippers.

There is no 'standard' was to deal with them.

I ship ALL boxes via AIR...either UPS, FED EX or Air Freight.  ALL
overseas goes via AIR FREIGHT.

If you ship overseas, then putting the word "antique"  is a good idea
as most countries do not charge duty on antiques.  HOWEVER, some
companies will not take anything with that word on it!  Fed Ex only
insures up to $500 on an antique....no matter how much insurance you
ask for!   UPS will usually require you to unpack or pack the piece in
front of them so they know it is packed OK.  Air Freight will sell you
as much insurance as you pay for, usually without much questioning.

ALL packages are going to get bounced around...  if they are packed
correctly the will sustain NO or very minimal injury.

 <unrelated text snipped>

I just wrote all the packing stuff...'off the top of my head'.  I might
have forgotten something...  If you see any 'holes' in it, let me know
and I'll fill them in!

That's it for now!

Nancy

 [ Editor's Note:
 [
 [ My thanks to Nancy for these two messages on Music Box shipping,
 [ and also the invitation to pose more questions on the topic.
 [ This may be a good time to get some _OTHER_ music box topics
 [ going too.  Recent discussions on the Digest have focused on
 [ pneumatically controlled instruments.  However, there are quite
 [ a few music box collectors here and the discussion of music box
 [ issues is not off the topic for the group.  Please start some
 [ new discussion threads!
 [
 [ Jody