Numbering objects is an important part of collections care and documentation. It can also be a bit nerve-racking, cause you don't (and I most certainly don't) want to do it incorrectly. In addition to the standard need to handle objects safely, there is also the need to number things properly and legibly. The object numbers are no good if future collections managers cannot find them, read them, or even alter them. They need to be permanent but removable; an oxymoron I know, like caffeine free Mountain Dew, but that's the way object numbers should work. Here are some useful links, that I found most helpful, about applying numbers to objects:
http://www.collectioncare.org/cci/ccin.html
http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/pdf/preservation/A_Simple_Guide_to_Lablling_Museum_Objects.pdf
