Don't let me put you off though auctions are a great deal of fun. Eventually though you are going to come to use a reputable dealer in cigarette cards. For one thing they are going to tell you the price of a set of cards. No good buying a bargain at an auction to discover it isn't actually worth the price. It is also a fact many of us are now 'time poor'.
Most people find different ways of paying the mortgage.
Contacting a dealer can not only save you money in the literal sense they can also save you time which is as good as money in the modern world. Mentioned briefly previously condition is all important. At first you will be seeing the older cards with heavily rounded edges and in very dirty condition. They do not look nice but for bits of card perhaps 100 years old they do not look bad. Well do not be fooled, unless the cards are scarce there is no reason why you cannot locate them in very much better condition.