Thanks guys, it really makes me want to give more custom to Weta. They were just thoroughly nice from start to finish.
Darren did stress that I got really lucky because he took the base in to be signed by Richard and PJ just happened to be visiting at the time for a meeting. Apparently, Peter just does not sign these things generally and has signed in total only about 3 pieces of Kong/LOTR merchandise worldwide. I guess he was in a good mood!
After some of the bad luck I've had with faulties and breakages this year, this one was a pleasant pick-me-up.