a traditional rule is that proofs of the highest degree of excellence may be obtained only in limited editions, where a durable, lasting plate for quantity production is required. These are the most popular in the market of art at this time. The artist who, by great application and development along individual or personal lines, is capable of producing superlative proofs continues to product them in strictly limited editions. The term "superlative proofs" here means prints which completely and thoroughly fulfill the most exacting requirements of perfection of control over the medium both in relation to the artist's intentions and from the viewpoint of the fullest textural qualities inherent in the medium itself. New standards of excellence, both artistic and technical, always become established with the development of any new methods and materials, and become just as complete artist expressions as the older traditional standards. And yet, is a affordable means for the consumer to purchase the works. These are signed and number by the artist, to the number of prints made, (586/2000) for example, where the "586" would be the number placement in the run of prints to "2000" being the largest number and last number of the run. So that would be the 586th print that came off in the printing run. This number is then placed at the bottom of the print with the artist's signature. The symbols seen on many advertisements "s/n", simply mean, signed and numbered.