Would you destroy your original images?

[mjs1973]

I don't mean the bad shots, I'm sure we all hit the delete button from time to time, or toss some missed slides or negatives into the circlular file once in a while. I'm talking about the keepers. Those shots that you really nailed and are proud to show off.

This may sound like a dumb question with all the talk going on about archiving our film and digital files, but this is why I'm asking. I was just reading a local pro photogs website. If he gets a shot he likes, he will offer a limited number of prints for sale. Once he sells that limited number of prints, he destroys the original film. I understand the reasoning behind it since it would guarantee that your "original" limited print is limited, but for me, it just doesn't make much sense. Perhaps that's just the pack rat in me.

Is this a standard practice for profesionals and what are your thoughts on this?