New T206 Collector Seeking Advice!

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Posted By: Ray

Before I ask my questions, I feel I should introduce myself to the members here. I'm a 27 year old who loves hockey and baseball. I used to collect cards from all the major sports until about 92-93 when there just became an influx of junk on the market. Went to Cooperstown this August, and the visit made me passionate about collecting again. But I decided to focus on tobacco cards, particularly the T206 set. I have purchased 8 common cards on ebay all without any problems. Being 27 and a teacher, my income doesn't allow me to get too crazy in my spending habits just yet. So I set a few guidelines for myself: 1. Don't buy graded commons. 2. Try to collect as many different backs as possible along the way. The collect is for me and my wife to enjoy, I would never sell it, only pass it down to my children someday. I don't see there being a problem financially to obtain any cards in the future but the Wagner, Magie, Doyle NL, and Plank. My questions are as follows:

1. How important is it to own a card with a "rare" back if attempting to construct a set?
2. Is ebay the best way to obtain cards? I live in NJ/NY area.
3. How many T206 cards are actually out there? How many people have tried to make a set and have failed due to supply and demand?
4. What is considered to be a full set? Every source gives a different number!!!

Any advice you can offer me is greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Ray Piskadlo