Master Beer Collector
Here is a story derived from oral tradition nearly as old as oral tradition itself.
Marcus Tullius Cicero was many things. Above all, he was a student. Surprisingly, he studied beer.
Cicero journaled about his beer tasting, becoming both a fan and critic. The posts were spread out appearing in Acta Diurna, a daily gazette, but did not appear under Cicero‘s name. No name attribution appeared at all, upsetting the readers. After the third article about beer, the poster with no name received a retaliatory Letter from the Editor demanding that the beer writer, whom he referred to as Master Beer Collector, reveal his true name in their next entry, or else risk not being published!
Cicero enjoyed the outlet that anonymous writing provided, so he played along with the editor. And so, Cicero would sign his fourth entry Master Beer Collector. The invented name seemed to please everyone. And so Master Beer Collector would continue as the pen name for every entry thereafter.
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It's quite possible that this was one of the earliest instances of a notname being applied on record. A notname is an invented name given to an artist whose identity has been lost.
Romans mainly drank wine, which is why Master Beer Collector's writings attracted much attention and much polarity. People loved the writing, but could they actually like beer? In Ancient Rome, beer was looked down upon and mostly only indulged in by the lower class. Cicero's writings were vital to altering the discourse in this arena. Through the art of persuasion, Cicero helped spur business for brewers by attracting members of the upper class who were fond of the writing and experiences found in the Acta Diurna. Suddenly the class divide didn’t seem so large.
When Cicero was under the guise of Master Beer Collector, he would sometimes discuss his overindulgence, but when it came to submitting entries in the Acta Diurna, he knew when to stop. As the legend goes, Cicero wanted to use his energy elsewhere, and if the beer chronicles were to continue, he believed that another soul should start a new century covering the topic. Alas, no one picked up where he left off. So Master Beer Collector's tally totaled 99 beers and would stay that way forever.
The story evolved a few generations ago when a Navy sailor recounted the legend through shanty.
The final result? The song 99 Bottles of Beer.
How did that Navy sailor know the story so well? Well, it just so happens that the Navy sailor was named John Cicero III - a direct descendant of Cicero.
The story is only now coming to light because the Cicero's are down to their final generation.
Hello, my name is Luis Cicero. I will be the last Cicero.
Members of my parish know me as Father Luis.
By sacrificing my life to the Lord our God, I consciously chose to end the Cicero bloodline.
The decision brought great pain and suffering. But alas, I am at peace with this. After all, every beginning must have an end.
While the Cicero life-form will not continue, I would like the Cicero story to be preserved through you, the reader.
Yes, your intuition is correct. I am seeking new homes for our Cicero family heirlooms.
I want to see others enjoy these relics while I still walk the planet. Sharing family history through oral tradition is love. Having others outside the bloodline reciprocate this love makes you family.
May god bless you, my brothers and sisters.
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When reviewing our family tree, I realized that I am the sole inhabitant of the 99th generation since Cicero. It was not until now that I made the connection to Cicero's collection and the number of generations since him. In effect, each Cicero generation had a beer or bottle of beer to call their own. Cicero was many things. Perhaps he was clairvoyant, too.
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About the collection:
Marcus Tullius Cicero was the original Master Beer Collector. Every generation who carried the story onward would receive the title as well. So here I am, the would-be final Master Beer Collector. I decline this designation! Through oral tradition, art, and love, my new brothers and sisters will carry on and become the next Master Beer Collectors. - As they say, Cheers.
Master Beer Collector™
Now Available to Mint:
Collection Details:
99 Illustrations representing Cicero's experience of using the daily gazette to discuss experiences with beer a total of 99 times. In the majority of Cicero's writings on the subject, he used the moniker Master Beer Collector.
Illustrations created by Father Luis Cicero, the final direct descendant of Cicero.
Each beer is identified by a number. Bottle of Beer #1 recognizes Cicero's first beer entry; whereas, Bottle of Beer #99 recognizes Cicero's last beer entry.
Each entry will be showcased over time in a digital reimagining of Acta Diurna. Please subscribe to Notname’s email list to be alerted.
Illustrations inspired by the lives of Marcus Tullius Cicero, John Cicero III, and every Cicero who carried the story with them and delivered it to the next generation.
This is the first collection by Notname.
Can you explain my collectible?
Will this particular story be expanded upon?
Will there be more heirlooms distributed by Father Luis Cicero?
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Disclaimer: This work, in its entirety, is a work of fiction. Any similarities to persons living or dead, or actual events are purely coincidental. The story and the collection are for entertainment purposes only. Master Beer Collector Collection is intended for individual entertainment. Collecting any item should not be construed as an investment vehicle.