PBA Galleries

Each sheet with approx. 9 lines of printed text, and a woodcut of a lion flanked by an A and a Q. Approx. 20x28 cm. (8¾x11").

Collection of rare "AQ" sheets (for acque, or water), issued in Venice, Italy, beginning in the 17th century, as a way of raising revenue. The only way citizens could communicate with the Venetian government was to use these as self-mailing lettersheets or as envelopes for enclosed letters (the examples in the present collection have been used as envelopes, addressed on the back). The printed text on each begins, in rough translation: "By order of the Most Illustrious Elders and Managers of the Waters [i.e., flood commissioners], noting the decision of their Excellencies on 12 November 1608 setting a Fee of 4 soldi a Letter, each Chancellor of a State Office undertakes not to respond or take action in the future regarding any Letter...unless each Letter is enclosed in or written on one of these stamped and numbered sheets..." The names of the different officials to be contacted are printed on the letters, and there is some variation to the woodcut of the Lion of St. Mark. The sheets have stab-holes from being placed on a spindle.