Hi all. I'm new here and so far, this site looks like a great place.
I'm currently in the midst of putting together a complete set of every player in the HOF. No reprints or cards produced well after thier playing time. These are all during their primes (if available) with rookies preferred or key seasons (I like my '56 Topps Mantle because it was his triple crown season). I've been working on it since 2003 at my leisure (more leisure now, but was a bit driven earlier). I'm well past the 70% mark with every HOFer covered since the 40s (including Musial, Willams and Dimaggio in that span).
The hard (and expensive part) is dealing with the turn of the century guys. I've been working thru the T206's, though I'll naturally need to go a different route when it comes to Honus and IIRC GC Alexander & Shoeless Joe - even though he's not HOF, I still want one. Also still need a Ruth and Gehrig which will most likely come from one of their Goudey cards.
It's been fun really. Shops have closed up around here and shows are few and far between, but I always head to one every few months hoping to get something I need. Ebay of course is the easiest way to go.
Also, if anybody is trying to put together sets from say '93-'03, let me know. I was buying stuff by the box & case back then and even though I sold much of the auto's/game used (when they were hot), I still have decent stuff that I'd be willing just to give away - set fillers, singles, whatever i have left in GU and autos, etc from some fairly expensive boxes. Also have complete sets of some bowman, chrome, '95 bowman best with graded Vlad/Andruw/Rolen, 2000 or 2001 bowman gold (the one with Pujols/Reyes rookies) and others. Those aren't necessarily free but would definitely consider trading for anything vintage and I don't need 100% return in value... I'd be willing to take much less if the return peaks my interest.