Most luthiers are very familiar with this historic tree- you kind of have to read the whole history and background as it is fascinating because the tree was massive and the only one like it in existence that had this “tortoiseshell” figuring. This was expensive to begin with in the 1980’s when it first went into circulation- my memory serves me correctly it was about $ 30 per board foot!!!!! Based on inflation that should be about $ 100 plus per board foot. But, that is not where it is at- it is not another zero added in and it is priced per quality of figuring. The whole tree was figured, however there are the 5A curl grade to even an A grade from what I have seen.
I would personally spray it with shellac/denatured alcohol mix at proper proportions so it flows better. The nice thing about that is that you can use denatured alcohol and will come off with a rag……..meaning you don’t need to strip it with a machine to get it off.