Limited Edition Figures (1 Viewer)

[Empire MM]

Hi Everyone,

Just canvassing some opinions here please, nothing more at this stage.

If a manufacturer were to produce very limited runs of their figures (we are talking 12 to 24 worldwide) that sold at a higher price than standard figures from the majority of manufacturers, would people be interested?

Each would be painted to a high standard, fully made in the UK, boxed and certificated. Scale could be 1/32 and larger.

Please let me know, thanks.

Malcolm.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Malcolm

Interesting question. I would be interested in certain ranges, say a ceremonial range of Indian Army British Raj figures from the Delhi Durbar of 1903. There are other eras I enjoy as well but can you narrow it down a bit in scope?

All the best

Dave

 

[BrianW]

Hi Malcolm, I would be interested in figures from WW1 & WW 2 periods, especially summer/autumn Eastern front. Best wishes, Brian.

 

[waynepoo]

Like the idea, I would prefer non-combat Great War figures as that is my area of collecting, eg Tommies 'Brewing up' (making a cuppa) or shaving for example , I would go for any figures along those lines.
Wayne.

 

[zblang]

the short answer is yes, people would be interested. The long answers I'd say is the higher cost would have to be commiserate with the level of painting. the other thing is if this level of painting is so high, they would have to be figures that could be stand alone figures in a collection since they wouldn't "match" the collector's other figures in the range for diorama purposes. And of course, the range would matter too, but there is no way to predict what people would buy. For instance, I would not be interested in German figures, but there are many who would. I'd love Israeli figures, but there are others who would have zero interest.
Just my thoughts....

 

[zblang]

Like the idea, I would prefer non-combat Great War figures as that is my area of collecting, eg Tommies 'Brewing up' (making a cuppa) or shaving for example , I would go for any figures along those lines.
Wayne.

I'm in the same boat here - for a limited edition, higher priced figure, I'd like to see something different than what is already available.

 

[jazzeum]

Pardon me for asking but I thought you were going out of business. Is that not the case now?

 

[theBaron]

This topic sounds familiar; I think it's come up in the past. Do a search and I think you'll find more replies, too.

As you can tell from the replies in this thread, the response is very specific to the user, as to the subject and cost. However, you posted this in the general matte thread. If you're talking about issuing limited editions from your own catalog, then it's almost a given that you're going to start off restricted to your customer base. If this is going to be an Empire Miniatures limited edition, you might want to try a crowd-funding site to gauge interest. It might be more scientific/practical, than posing the question here. That is, here, everyone can reply, but no one is opening his wallet and deciding to pay anything. If you were to use crowd-funding, I think that's more of an indication of interest in the product.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Larry Allen]

Good Morning Malcom,

I have never been a fan of "limited" editions, for a number of reasons.

By design ... only a select few collectors will be able to acquire that figure.. (or vehicle, plane or what ever.) For some it will be a financial consideration, for others bad timing on the release, or simply they simply missed the chance.

You can clearly see the result of "limited editions" when some (so called collectors) buy an item (or multiples) and then immediately turn around and try to re-sell the item at 2X or 3X the original price. Simply look a eBay for 100's of examples of that tacit.

Many "limited" runs items are usually something special, like a personality figure or maybe a unique pose. If a collector was "into" a series and missed out on that special addition then he will always feel that the collection is incomplete. I have known folks who didn't start a series due to the fact that some figures were so hard to acquire (or way to expensive) that they never started that line.

I think Thomas Gunn figures are superb. Not to pick on him, but so many of his releases a limited (Romans) that it seems they are gone even before the "general collecting audience" even gets a chance at them. I love his planes but at the limited edition prices of $1200 - $1800 that is way out of my league. They are wonderful and God Bless the guys who can afford them, but .....

Okay, time for me to get down off the soapbox.

--- LaRRy

 

[Empire MM]

Pardon me for asking but I thought you were going out of business. Is that not the case now?

Just looking at options. Empire as you all know is ceasing but I MAY look to start something new in the New Year.

Like I said, just canvassing opinions currently.

Thanks J

Regards,

Malcolm.

 

[Empire MM]

Good Morning Malcom,

I have never been a fan of "limited" editions, for a number of reasons.

By design ... only a select few collectors will be able to acquire that figure.. (or vehicle, plane or what ever.) For some it will be a financial consideration, for others bad timing on the release, or simply they simply missed the chance.

You can clearly see the result of "limited editions" when some (so called collectors) buy an item (or multiples) and then immediately turn around and try to re-sell the item at 2X or 3X the original price. Simply look a eBay for 100's of examples of that tacit.

Many "limited" runs items are usually something special, like a personality figure or maybe a unique pose. If a collector was "into" a series and missed out on that special addition then he will always feel that the collection is incomplete. I have known folks who didn't start a series due to the fact that some figures were so hard to acquire (or way to expensive) that they never started that line.

I think Thomas Gunn figures are superb. Not to pick on him, but so many of his releases a limited (Romans) that it seems they are gone even before the "general collecting audience" even gets a chance at them. I love his planes but at the limited edition prices of $1200 - $1800 that is way out of my league. They are wonderful and God Bless the guys who can afford them, but .....

Okay, time for me to get down off the soapbox.

--- LaRRy

Hi Larry,

I hear you and agree to some point but there would be a way round some of the issues, trust me.

I am just getting opinions at the moment. I may or may not recreate Empire but I do want to / need to look at options.

Like you, I love the TG planes but man, beyond my budget

Take care. Thanks for your input.

Malcolm.

 

[Empire MM]

the short answer is yes, people would be interested. The long answers I'd say is the higher cost would have to be commiserate with the level of painting. the other thing is if this level of painting is so high, they would have to be figures that could be stand alone figures in a collection since they wouldn't "match" the collector's other figures in the range for diorama purposes. And of course, the range would matter too, but there is no way to predict what people would buy. For instance, I would not be interested in German figures, but there are many who would. I'd love Israeli figures, but there are others who would have zero interest.
Just my thoughts....

Hi Zach,

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. Hope all is well with you :smile2:

Just looking at ideas but your input is valuable to me so thank you.

Best regards,

Malcolm.

 

[jomartvr]

I could be interested, however, if your considering the following conflicts I will pass: ACW, Boer and Zulu Wars, WW I and WWII. That said they would probably sell well, LOL.

I would like to see figures from the following 19th century conflicts Afghan wars, Crimean War, Indian army, and may be Franco-Prussian War. For modern conflicts I would like to see the Bush War in Angola (South Africans, Unita, Cubans, Angolans, Soviets), French colonial conflicts in Algeria and Indochina, 1973 Arab Israeli war, and Iraq-Iran war.

Good luck with your endeavor!
Benjamin

 

[Vicknor]

Hi Malcolm,

I think it's a difficult area to be getting in to.

Many collectors will be reluctant to buy anything unless there is the promise of more sets in a similar or different vein in the future and you should take this into consideration.

Also, the oft-bandied 'limited edition' or 'strictly-limited' should mean just that. 600, or 999 I'd not really limited in my opinion as any manufacturer would probably be quite please to sell that many of a particular set.

There is also the issue of quality here that needs to be looked at closely. Empire Miniatures figures were nice sets that fit well into a certain price branding and you should be congratulated for getting in amongst it and producing them. However, if you go back and re-sculpt and re-paint figures whether it be from a new or existing line, just how far can you improve them?

From your original post, I've read it as if you mean somewhere in the First Legion to Russian producers range of quality? (Sorry I might have totally mis-read that)

I think it would be a good idea to sculpt up some pieces, master paint them to the level you are thinking and then pass them on through post or email to some suppliers, previous purchasers and even some of the 'narrow range' collectors on here.

Just my thoughts and apologies if if I've mis-read your meaning. It's 6:00am here

Good luck though and keep us posted

 

[Empire MM]

I could be interested, however, if your considering the following conflicts I will pass: ACW, Boer and Zulu Wars, WW I and WWII. That said they would probably sell well, LOL.

I would like to see figures from the following 19th century conflicts Afghan wars, Crimean War, Indian army, and may be Franco-Prussian War. For modern conflicts I would like to see the Bush War in Angola (South Africans, Unita, Cubans, Angolans, Soviets), French colonial conflicts in Algeria and Indochina, 1973 Arab Israeli war, and Iraq-Iran war.

Good luck with your endeavor!
Benjamin

Thanks Benjamin,

That is all really helpful and interesting. Not sure what / if we will do anything, just canvassing opinions.

Best wishes,

Malcolm.

 

[Empire MM]

Hi Malcolm,

I think it's a difficult area to be getting in to.

Many collectors will be reluctant to buy anything unless there is the promise of more sets in a similar or different vein in the future and you should take this into consideration.

Also, the oft-bandied 'limited edition' or 'strictly-limited' should mean just that. 600, or 999 I'd not really limited in my opinion as any manufacturer would probably be quite please to sell that many of a particular set.

There is also the issue of quality here that needs to be looked at closely. Empire Miniatures figures were nice sets that fit well into a certain price branding and you should be congratulated for getting in amongst it and producing them. However, if you go back and re-sculpt and re-paint figures whether it be from a new or existing line, just how far can you improve them?

From your original post, I've read it as if you mean somewhere in the First Legion to Russian producers range of quality? (Sorry I might have totally mis-read that)

I think it would be a good idea to sculpt up some pieces, master paint them to the level you are thinking and then pass them on through post or email to some suppliers, previous purchasers and even some of the 'narrow range' collectors on here.

Just my thoughts and apologies if if I've mis-read your meaning. It's 6:00am here

Good luck though and keep us posted

Hi Vicknor,

Thanks for the detailed reply, a massive help!

The whole limited thing grinds my gears, what is limited? If you normally release say 2,000 pieces per figure then is 500 limited? It was one reason why I only used to release 100, hope that makes sense.

The conversations around this germ of an idea have been based on 12 to 24 pieces, 1/32 scale and bigger possibly. Released as a researched range, stand alone poses that would have to be individual. Standard of sculpt and paint would be far higher than anything I have released before, they were made to a budget and I think we hit the quality within that budget.

My only concern is the manufacturing costs for being 100% British made. That said, maybe that holds a value in itself. Anything would be right up with the top quality painting BUT only if we could make the few we made at an affordable price point, it's a tough one......

Let's see {sm4}{sm4}

Thanks,

Malcolm.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Malcolm

There are a few makers out there that do amazing work and are very limited in their edition size. Take a look at Medallion Miniatures, they produce some of the most amazing figures. Detailed and well researched and painted to the same standard as the top end Russian Houses. Their price isnt for the faint of heart and they limit their sets to anywhere from 5 world wide to I believe 100. I know one person who collects them and he has indicated that the price point is very high but I dont remember the bottom line. There is a dealer named Joe Saine (www.josephsaine.com) who carries them on his website but has no prices posted so you could contact him and see what he says. But again I believe a mounted figure from them will be in excess of 600 dollars so again you are talking a very select group of collectors.

Hope to hear more about what you plan to do. British Raj would be great...

Dave

 

[bromhead]

Hi Malcolm

There are a few makers out there that do amazing work and are very limited in their edition size. Take a look at Medallion Miniatures, they produce some of the most amazing figures. Detailed and well researched and painted to the same standard as the top end Russian Houses. Their price isnt for the faint of heart and they limit their sets to anywhere from 5 world wide to I believe 100. I know one person who collects them and he has indicated that the price point is very high but I dont remember the bottom line. There is a dealer named Joe Saine (www.josephsaine.com) who carries them on his website but has no prices posted so you could contact him and see what he says. But again I believe a mounted figure from them will be in excess of 600 dollars so again you are talking a very select group of collectors.

Hope to hear more about what you plan to do. British Raj would be great...

Dave

Those castles etc Saine shows look like the window Of vaughns in downtown Chicago in the 50s,,,Surrounded by britains on a turntable,,,I broke the glass with my nose