Card show autograph advice

[donmuth]

Growing up in the mid-late 80's I got a lot of in-person autographs at card shows and the FedEx St. Jude golf tournament pro-am. Initially, I started getting cards signed (Mays, Lou Brock, Carlton, Richie Ashburn, etc.) but then switched to baseballs because I could get them for about $7/each rather than hunt and find an affordable, good looking card to get signed. I have a few 8x10's too, but no bats (yet). Back then the common wisdom was to not get rookie cards signed.

This fall I'm planning to hit a couple of card shows in the Nashville area with the following players scheduled to sign autos:

Howard Johnson
Tony Perez
Johnny Bench
Reggie Jackson
Wade Boggs
Andre Dawson

I am sure there will be other shows with autograph guests too.

I am questioning whether I should get baseball cards signed of the above players or stick to baseballs, or some other media. Having some custom cut trading cards made from signed index cards similar to those Stuart Gilbert (rajah424) has here on the B/S/T board is very tempting because they would be really unique, but I would have to have someone else make them for me.

If I go for baseball cards, should I get rookie cards signed? For the ones with multi-player rookie cards, is it still best to get those signed if the one player will be the only one to sign it? Or should I get another card? The player's second year card, last year, just one that will look good with an auto??

What is today's wisdom on which cards to get signed? What does the board recommend?

Thanks!