MTSU's Distilling, Fermenting, and Brewing Collection: "Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton

At MTSU's Walker Library we are growing a wonderful Special Collection that focuses on Distilling, Fermenting, and Brewing. Our focus is primarily Tennessee, but we do collect supporting materials from all over the United States and the world.  For more information on how and why we started this collection, see our article in the Southeastern Librarian. 

We want our collection to be varied and unique, and we are interested in thinking expansively when it comes to acquiring materials. In addition to monographs, archival materials, and ephemera, we looked toward philately to provide an additional dimension to our collection. 

We are actively collecting revenue and postage stamps, as well as First Day Covers. We also looped in postcards and are open to other aspects of postal materials. 

As a budding philatelist, I am always on the lookout for interesting (and affordable!) stamps for my own collection, but also for the collection at work.  One evening I was browsing the American Topical Association's online store. I recently became a member and wanted to check out their topical checklists for purchase.  

I came across this postal cover issued as part of the 2017 National Topical Stamp Show which features the infamous Appalachian moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton.  It was a must-have. 

This purchase led to a small buying spree of materials on Popcorn. After all, a collection on distilling should have materials on moonshine! 

We were able to augment this piece with documentaries, a cd of interviews with Popcorn, a couple biographies, and a memoir written by his daughter.   I am still on the look-out for a reasonably priced copy of Popcorn's book Me and My Likker.  Right now the copies available are a little high for my budget.  But, if someone would like to donate one....