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Hello.

I couldn't think of a title that made sense, so hopefully that made sense!

Although table top games are just that, games, I do think its important to preserve the history and product lines of long running systems (like GW stuff for example). The issue with collecting retro models as apposed to collecting comic books, vintage video games, Keller aliens etc, is that your likely not going to find many old models that are not assembled and painted.

If you were to start collecting old out-of-print minis, or if you already do, what are the rules you would follow/do follow in regards to what is a collectable and what isn't?

For instance, does the model have to be un-assembled and in original packing/sprue? Maybe just unpainted? Maybe assembled and painted in official colours and with no modifications?

I have been wanting to launch into a big collecting project for a while because we humans like collecting things (and it will be far cheaper than buying new models from certain entitys).

The reason I ask is because in 20 years time, if somebody wanted to know what an orc model from 1st edition Warhammer looked like, or a Chainmail knight, would their be any models/pictures of models that gives an accurate representation of what they were like?

Fortunately most retro miniatures are metal, which means that they're not too difficult to strip if needed.

I've never been the sort of person who keeps things in packaging so for me that wouldn't be an issue as I'd only be taking it out and painting it myself anyway.

Official colours? What is this madness?

I'd treat it like any other form of collecting

Get to know the subject, there are a fair number of websites dedicated to parts of the subject

eg http://www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

think of other ways to find out about things like old gaming magazines, mini manufacturers catalogues, adverts etc

Choose something you like (bit obvious, but worth repeating)

buy the best you can afford, a mint in pack item will be more desirable and possibly in better condition than a loose item will be worth more than a stripped item...

although many of the really old minis were sold loose (unless you could afford a fabled Box Set) so there may not be any packaging to find. Also some of the rarest and most desirable stuff are test pieces and other casts that never made it to full manufacture for one reason or another and again these may well be without packing

Another thing to look out for is legal recasting. As companies closed or moved on they often sold on the masters/moulds/rights to others, you may be able to tell who did what by what metal mix was used, or if you're lucky by markings on the base but a lot will be blank.

If it's still being cast a mini will be a lot less desirable so try and get to know where a company's (that you intend to collect) early stuff went to

a good example is these early slota base mercenaries from citadel that have just been re-released on integral bases by Wargames Foundry (who have a whole bunch of as yet un catalogued old citadel/GW moulds)

http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/our-ranges/ex-citadel/mercenaries/

Learn how to store your collection (don't use wooden boxes or expose them to acid cleaners) and beware of lead rot

http://realm-of-lead-addiction.blogspot.co.uk/2008/08/lead-rot-101.html

decide whether you'll paint your old gems (it may devalue them, but it may be part of your collecting fun to give life to old minis with modern paint jobs)

and most important collect what you like rather than what you think might be worth more money in the future, you'll have much more fun

I always try to keep figures in their packaging until I am ready to paint them. This has proven to bring favorable value in some trades i've made.
I gave a CD player some new blunderbuss troops (in their blisters) for Christmas a few years ago and by his reaction you would have thought I gave him a million bucks.

Your collection, so condition is entirely up to you. It's not a pre-painted collectible, so there's a pretty wide range of kinds of collectors. Some folks want stuff that is NIB, some prefer bare metal, some prefer well-painted examples.

Put a different, way, almost everything (though not all) miniatures-related is collectible in whatever condition to a given sub-set of gamers. I assume that unpainted or NIB stuff is going to appeal to traditional collectors more of course.

As for "will there be a record" There already are pretty good records for most brands of miniatures. Lost minis wiki and "The Stuff of Legends" are pretty comprehensive (though not complete) records.

Lost minis is pretty neat in that if you have stuff they don't have pics for, anyone can submit them and grow the collection. Especially nice if you have a passion for cataloging the hobby.

I don't collect for the sake of collecting. If you can't use it, it's worthless. I understand the investment argument, but if that's what you've got a collectible item for, then put it in a safe deposit box like you would any other high value commodity.

That being said, I LOVE old GW models, and collect them at every opportunity. (In order to play with them!) I'm even willing to chop them up and convert them. (I just picked up a set of three rogue trader dreads, and I'm already planning on slicing them up to make them field legal.)

Rule 1: Do I like the model?

Rule 2: Can I use the model with something actually?

Rule 3: Is it affordable?

If I get to answer yes to at least 2 out of 3, Then I'll snag it.

There's also this site for old minis though it hasn't been updated for awhile.

http://www.solegends.com/

Personally if I like an old model I'll try and blend it in with my current ones which may result in some conversion work. If it's too different in style then I sell it. I sold some metal Asterix figures awhile back. I'd only ever painted Obelix, but the buyer painted them and sent me a picture of them which was cool.
I don't collect retro minis myself, I've just got some from ages ago. The 1st ed Space Marines for instance have awesome character. I don't much like the minis, mainly because they don't fit that well with the current range, but I'd like to do a tribute to the style at some point using curent marines. That said, there are folks out there who've painted up the old style figures and breathed life into them. I think retro minis, if you are going to have them should be painted. Whether that is in a style common today or based on a style used when the minis were first released would be up to you. Keep maybe one or two unpainted for comparison of what you got from the shop.

I'm sure there are sites out there dealing with antiques that would tell you how best to present and preserve white metal.

^ Same as him.

Actual game rules to play it under fall under Rule #2.