A wonderful post indeed Glen, thank you so much for sharing this.
What an amazing story, both in finding this piece and the history behind it's origins.
Being one of my favorite periods, I doubt my strength in making the decision to part with something so wonderfully old even given the appraised value. I truely hope this doesn't end up in someones private collection.
On a personal note, you have given me just what a needed to pick up where i left off a few years back on my ancestry.
thanks Glen!!