Posted By:
NickM25 cards, no shortprints, 8 HOFers, major company, fit into standard-size holders.
If you're willing to put more time and $ into it, 1940 Play Ball has a great selection of retired HOFers mixed with current players, and even has manager and umpire cards. Joe Jackson, DiMaggio, and Williams are the only budget-busters, although Foxx, Ott, et al. aren't cheap.
If you have to have a Babe Ruth, 1935 Goudey is the most affordable choice of major sets. 4 players on a card cuts down its desirability for a lot of collectors. Some strip cards and premiums will be cheaper, but the Goudey name carries a certain cachet.
If you're looking for pre-WWI, consider Sweet Caporal P2 pins - even Cobb can be found at reasonable prices in lower grades, and nice specimens of less-popular HOFers are locatable for $50 or less.
For pre-WWI cards, T201 Double Folders are probably the easiest significant set to complete, and they do have a Cobb.