Diamonds in the rough then - While Mr. Tennant was a masterful painter, there has been much work to get them into this condition. Perhaps your friend has given you a canvas on which you can work some magic. I hope so because stripping old paint is a real pain!
I have considered this prospect. There's just 'something' about those vintage minis. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the minis that are being produced nowadays, yet sometimes ultra realism can be a pain, and a waste. The old minis bring back memories as to why I fell in love with wargaming to begin with. It might sound odd, but many of the games played today, especially at conventions and events, look as if the people are playing with a diorama; and I thoroughly enjoy them as well. But when you go back to the older minis, and the older rules - from the '70s especially - there's just something special about it. Does that make sense? Really like your blog as well!