I would have to come down on the side that says there is no long term collectability for
DCC 51.5, if by collectable people mean highly sought after and expensive. Unlike the
1E 12.5 con special of last year, the reprint is going to be available at retail and so be part of the regular
DCC line. And it is all about the reprint.
You see most people who currently enjoy buying DCCs are fans, not collectors. There is a big difference. The fan wants this or that
DCC for the actual adventure, to admire the cover and interior art, and to even run the damn things. The fan is generally not interested in print run completeness, they are interested in the unique aesthetics of the modules. So the fan is willing to pay $250 for
DCC 3.5 in most cases, just like the collector. The fan however is not willing to pay the $150 for
DCC 12.5
1E when they can buy the limited reprint for $50, and they are certainly not going to buy them both. To my guestimation there are only a handful of collectors obsessed with aquiring every printing. (and all the power to them!)
Here's my list of DCCs that will be more sought after by collectors and fans in the future:
1.
DCC 1 - 1st and 2nd prints. Unique covers, and the 1st print uses 3.0 rules and is the 1st
DCC ever.
2.
DCC 2 - 1st print. Again a unique cover over the later reprint. Uses 3.0 rules.
3.
DCC 4.5 - My Friend the Fomrian in EN World Player's Journal 4. Finding an EN World Journal 4 is getting tougher.
4.
DCC 13 - 1st print. This is a full color interior, the reprint is only B&W. Also it is the very 1st
DCC tourney module.
With everything else there is only superficial minutiae differences between the printings which fans don't care about. That is why I think the 1st print of 12.5
1E is not worth the extra cost over the limited reprint, and why 51.1 with the free
rpg day logo is not going to be worth pursuing for anything more than $10 to get a copy now.
Feel free to disagree, but that is my take on it.
Cheers!