LOS ANGELES, CA.- In 1993 Leslie Sacks Fine Art identified Sam Francis aquatints as some of the finest and most under valued prints in the market. The gallery therefore made a major commitment to building a collection. The gallery selected those images they felt were most compelling and purchased the remaining balance of these editions directly from the artist.

All of these aquatints are in very small editions of approximately 20. They were editioned by master printmaker Jacob Samuel at Sam's print studio, The Litho Shop, in Santa Monica. Each print in every edition is slightly different than the rest as Sam gave Jacob the latitude to vary colors in certain areas of the images. Also included in the show are several substantially unique color trial proofs containing large, complex areas of watercolor by the artist's hand.

Lastly, this show contains two limited edition letterpress books of poetry and aquatints: Wanted Female, poem by Pierre Guyotat (text in French and English) and aquatints by Sam Francis, edition of 45, 1993; and Boundayr, poem by Kathleen Fraser and aquatints by Sam Francis, edition of 35, 1988. Both books are signed by the artist and their respective authors, and published by Sam Francis/Lapis Press.

Leslie Sacks Fine Art has presented two exhibitions from this collection over the years. The gallery recently realized that they were down to the last remaining examples. Rather than letting these go one by one without fanfare, the gallery has decided to present these now rare prints as an exhibition one last time so they may be appreciated as the exceptional body of work that they are. Hence, the reason for and title of this exhibition: Sam Francis Prints - The Last of Their Kind.