In 18th-century Amsterdam, so-called “vaantjeshouders” (beer sellers) were allowed to sell small beer (served in a “hael-kan”), but they were not permitted to offer guests a place to drink – a right reserved for innkeepers. The broadside opens with a remark that so-called “smokkel-tappers” illegally sell and serve heavier beer to guests.
In six articles the broadside, reiterating a proclamation from 1675, stipulates that beer sellers are not allowed to serve guests and need a sign stating that they only sell small beer. Innkeepers, on the other hand, need to have an outside wall sign (a wreath), notifying that they are allowed to sell all kinds of beer, except “buyten-bieren”: beer from outside Amsterdam.
This copy comes from the Amsterdam collection of Willem Dreesmann (1885-1954) and bears his blindstamp (“Collectie Dreesman”) on the card.
Regulating the selling of beer in Amsterdam in 1731
[Incipit:] Also mijne Heeren van de Gerechte der Stad Amsterdamme, door de hooft-luyden van de Brouwers, mitsgaders de Impostmeesters van de dry guldens op de Tappers bieren; als oock de gemeene herbergiers hier ter Stede onderricht: en oock in sekere ervaringe gekomen zijn, dat door de disorders en menighvuldige Sluykeryen die gepleeght worden by de Smokkel-tappers…
Amsterdam, Pieter van den Berge, 1731.
1mo broadside (40,3 x 30,5 cm). Tipped to card; card with small blindstamp in lower right hand corner: "Collectie Dreesmann".
