sadly
my monster number is now 0 :-( My Matty portrait was my last one. I succumed to the monsters wrath around 300 and change. Although I'm a 19th century guy it seemed like a good set for me to chase as it had all the elements I look for in my earlier sets - and I figured with my accumulation of tobacco as art - I should have what I consider to be the quintessential 20th century tobacco set in my story. The color and variety is astounding - lots of things that make it special. That being said - rising prices and the fact that it became like buying a commodity after a while and that I couldn't always be as descriminating as I might want to be led me to abandon the hunt. I preferred graded - especially when buying online and had to confront all the grading issues - should/could I get all the S/l players on my budget in only 40/50's etc., this pattee LOOKS so much nicer than my 60 and so on. One reason I abandoned ship was the money- I'm no whale - comfortable but no endless stream of cash and there are some expensive cards in the set. The shipping, the grading, the HOF's. Then there was the time involved. Cataloging, researching, sharing information, looking for cards. That is much of the fun of it for me even now - but nearly 20 years into the hobby and a hint away from 60 - the MONSTER just became too much - and stopped being as much fun. I'm content to not be able to get the cards I need in my 19th century sets. I wish only the best to you guys. Love the set - enjoy the chase!
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