Joy Of A Completed Set: 2001 Inkworks The Simpsons Mania! Autographs (!!)

Sometimes the last card you need for a set is difficult to track down. Sometimes that card is expensive. And sometimes both of those team up to make it a nightmare to complete a project. The below is an example of a piece of cardboard that fell into both categories and laughed at me as I pursued it.

The 2001 Inkworks The Simpsons Mania! autograph set ran 7 cards deep and features everyone you would want outside of Julie Kavner, who did not sign for either Simpsons' set I worked on. I started at a time when none were outlandish, but being a 20ish year old set made them a fun challenge. Eventually the market caught up and all jumped up in price with Nancy Cartwright being the toughest and most financially draining.

Nancy was the last I needed and I lost out on many an auction and had to let many others pass me by because I simply could not justify the price point. Eventually I relented and found a price I was comfortable with. I don't recall if it was an auction, BIN, or Best Offer as it's been a year and a half.

All that matters now is it is mine!

If grading were actually affordable I might go that route with both sets just because it would look cool and provide security, but it's not affordable and the less money I put into the hobby now, the better I feel.

My personal Springfield continues to grow a little bigger.