... is to find them in their original state of preservation w/o any nicks, cracks or fractures (if worn a little, is ok w/ me).

But, about being delicate. I once bought a huge piece from a woman in France, and I stressed that she please take every precaution in packaging the piece in order to protect it to the fullest. She assured me she will. It turned out she gave it to her husband to prepare for shipping, but the dumb schmuck simply put it in a white paper envelope and mailed it... and you know how thin their envelopes are over there. Anyway, the piece arrived undamaged; as if it was hand-delivered.

Every time I see someone post a damaged clay chip that was shipped in a padded envelope, I'm reminded of this...

JB