I think I figured it out, but in doing so I found either a significant error with the official Sigil tutorial, or a semi-bug in Sigil, not sure. I just happened to notice it when I was checking this page for replies, and just tested on a new file.
Here's the issue:
When you create the cover based on the tutorial directions for Sigil,
http://code.google.com/p/sigil/wiki/BasicTutorial
The cover page 'steals' the title declaration from your real first page. So, if you notice in the code in the OP, the cover page has a header for 'Title Page'. I never noticed because my title doesn't display.
I'll go report this in the Sigil forum, I guess, once I test it out on the Kindle itself (my wife has it right now).