Posted By:
Kelly I would agree that this is quite a task to try and assemble a 1914 set. I too have tried to collect the set in the past, but have diverted back to just picking up some of my favorite '14 poses. One thing that is impotant to help you "go into this with your eyes wide open" is to realize that the '14 cracker jack set is much more difficult to collect in an eye appealing manner.
If you look at any major auction, you will see a group of 1915 cracker jacks in PSA 7 or 8 or SGC 84-88 and they look spectacular with their deep bold red background and almost copy paper white backs and front borders. When collecting the '14 set you have to put these images out of your mind, because they almost never exist in that condition. You have to be ready to ACCEPT the stains (big or small) on the front or back. Also, the '14 cards , although hard to believe, were printed on even lower quality paper than the '15 which IMHO makes them more succeptible to toning.
If this is something that doesn't bother you, then I say "Go for It !!". You will have alot of fun along the way.