Good luck Barry - your reasons are precisely the same as mine were when I recorded my CD, and as reasons go they're as good as any.

There's a lot of satisfaction in preserving some of what you do for posterity, believe me, and it matters not one whit whether it sells in large numbers or not - leave the humbers game to those shallow people in the 'pop' industry - the important question is "Does it make you happy?". In my case the answer is a resounding "Yes, yes, yes!!", and I hope it will be the same for you.

Re: mastering - Guest QTWF is absolutely correct, proper mastering makes a huge difference to the finished product. It's the difference between a professional-sounding CD and one that sounds 'home-made' (and there seem to be tons of those about!). I was gobsmacked at the difference in sound between the 'final mix' version (the fourth attempt BTW!) and the eventual 'final mix and mastered' version - the whole thing was louder, smoother, 'rounder' (if you know what I mean!), the levels were all the same and the correct gaps inserted between tracks. Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar - find a good studio to master it for you.

Here in the UK, duplication, printing and packaging are easily sorted - plenty of studios on the web, although it's a good idea if you can get recommendations from others who have actually used some of these people.

Best of luck with your project Barry - and ENJOY!!
S:0)