I'm not a "collector", but I do play miniatures and from that I can offer a few comments.
I'm not sure what "size" soldiers you are interested in.
If it's larger 54mm figures, that would be used for individual displays, I've seen some great looking figures from a company called something like "St Petersburg". My recollection is there figures cost around $200 each mounted on an eloborate base. I'm sure there are other compaines with products in this so called "toy soldier" range. There is also a group of "toy soldier" collectors that hold shows throughout the US, and a local one might provide an opportunity to see a number of products.
I think a number of people use 25mm table top gaming figures for diorama type displays or parade ground displays. These figures tend to the at the upper size range of what people table top game with. There are numerous individuals and companies that paint figures. Most of the time their customers are buying "units" of perhaps 10 to 25 figures, but the individuals who do this will paint anything you want. For purchases of "units", I think you would typically find the better painted figures for around $5 apiece - but $20 for a mounted General would not surprise me. Whether it is the qulatiy you want is an individual decison. You can find a number of painters on the web, including companies in India that do mail order business. There is an annual weekend miniatures gaming weekend in Lancaster, Pa, usually the third weekend of July. It's called Historicon and the sponsor is HMGS. At this event are a few hundred dealers, I would guess at least 25 figure painters. Note: other popular sizes for gaming are smaller 6mm and 15mm figures so a good percentage of the painters displays are of that size. I have found most painters routinely research the uniforms of the figures they paint, I think even the companies from India will paint to a specific Osprey reference. I tend to buy my gaming figures at the flea marker where quantity is usually emphasized over quality.
I have six ACW figurines of famous officers from one of the decorative "plate" companies - there about 6" high on a horse - I've never seen them offer Napoleonic figures, but I suspect that would not be popular enough in the USA to generate enough business, perhaps there are some European "plate" companies that do this. I think those figures were around $50-75 apiece.
Major General Sir Bob Breen KT
1st (The King's) Dragoon Guards
Commanding 71st Highlanders
Commandant, RMA
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