[A series on methods of encouraging people to enter the miniatures gaming hobby.]

Seriously, I wanted to mention that Chris has already taken a step in the right direction with his Parasite deal: for $10 you get a carload of 15mm SF figures and a copy of his rules. I would add a small painting guide and a couple of simple terrain projects [which I would be happy to write up for you, Chris], and the newbie is set to go. I realize this is not "historical", but it shows what can be done with a modest effort. Irregular Minis does this already with their 2mm ancients, and I recently bought an ACW skirmish set of theirs that had everything but the rules (i.e. figs and some terrain.)

It's been a long time since I was in retail, but it shouldn't be too hard to box up maybe three brigades and a battery of 15mm minis per side for ACW, plus a copy of F&F (or a similar HMGS intro set); or a similar Napoleonic or AWI or other period deal. Perhaps there could be a core package for a period, consisting of the rules and painting/terrain guide, with miniatures options to suit various budgets--20mm plastic, 15mm metal, 25mm metal, etc.