Regarding the lettering, the cuts are narrow enough that you can fill them with JB Weld and then sand the top flush. (Obviously you'd scuff the surface and maybe wirebrush to get the paint off first.) Then a coat of hammered paint and you're golden.
Also, they are UPS-shippable as a pair. You could see if your local UPS place will take them strapping-taped together, maybe shrink-wrapped on top of that. Might not need boxes.
-- A