Photometry of Nova V 1493 Aql

We report on photometric observations of V 1493 Aq1 during the early declin e and highlight some uncommon aspects of the light curve. V 1493 Aq1 was ho tter at maximum light than in the following phases, and was characterized b y the presence of a long lasting secondary maximum, that, unlike in other n ovae, was quite red in color. The mean of three distance estimates yields d similar to 18.8 +/- 3.6 Kpc. Such a large distance would place V 1493 Aq1 at the extreme outskirts of our Galaxy or even in an external Local Group g alaxy.