Yup, the similarities between our situations are extremely similar. Hopefully I'll have some pics to post later this week regarding repairing folds in paper.
I'm insanely sorry to hear this, Bird and insanely frustrated. This type of negligence on something so valuable is mind-blowing...and it's not like the auction house didn't know how valuable it was. It would be like sending an envelope with 7K in cash overseas without sealing it. Not only is this negligence, this is stupidity on a whole 'nother level. A SIX DOLLAR @#%$'N TOPLOADER AND TWENTY DOLLARS WORTH OF MASONITE BOARDS TO SHIP A SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLAR MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!! That's it. It's that simple. I can't say I feel your pain, Bird, but I have an understanding of what you're going through. At the bare minimum, you should receive a full refund. Keep us posted on the replies you get from them, Bird, because if they come up with anything short of a complete refund, they need to be held accountable.