2038 S. Pontiac Way, Denver, CO 80224 - (303) 759-9921
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The library is committed to promoting and helping to facilitate the pursuit of stamp collecting as a hobby at all levels. Beginners are just as welcome as experienced philatelists. More than a dozen stamp clubs and organizations call the RMPL "home," and hold their monthly meetings in a space set aside for the purpose in the building. There are always two volunteers on duty during regular hours, ready to assist in the use of the library. Assistance to the general public in the evaluation of collections and advice on avenues of disposing of collections is also available. Click on About Us on the left to learn about our philatelic literature and special collections. Mauritius ReviewBy Jan Marie BelleThe Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) is presenting Mauritius, a play written by Theresa Rebeck which is well-centered around two half-sisters' inheritance of a grandfather's stamp collection. The common theme: Whose resources adjust how we value the past? There are six main characters-the stamp dealer, the two half-sisters, the friendly expert, the rich collector-- exploring the sharing (or not) of an inheritance; the value (or not) of errors and fakes (on stamps and in people), the reality (or not) of human behavior and monetary value. The 6th character (you were counting, right?) is a thing-a stamp collection-small bits of colorful paper. We philatelists know these bits of paper memorialize the living past. The play opens like many days start at the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library: A young-ish person comes in, stamp album tightly in hand; wants to know how much this inherited collection is worth. Because the "friendly man" at the comic book store told her this is where she could find a stamp value expert. Unlike at RMPL, the stamp dealer, weary of un-knowledgeable people using his time for free expertization, haughtily refuses to even look at the stamps. A "friendly man" reading a newspaper at the stamp dealer's store perks up his ears, looks at the stamps, says they are somewhat valuable-not a lot--but seems to know something he's not telling the new owner of this collection (or the stamp dealer). He leaves the store following the stamp album with a secret in his heart and a secret destination in his mind. The stamp album becomes a talisman. Whoever holds the stamp album is in control of everyone's behavior and perceptions, be they honest, in error, "real" or "fake". What is the value of grandfather's stamp collection and to whom does this value accrue? Someone? Everyone? Or no one. Each character is a bit flawed-damaged, erroneous, hobbled by past grievances, prone to "fake" behavior-but also of particular value. All learn quickly from their own and each other's errors. Secret perceptions of value shift constantly from valuable to worthless and back again while possession becomes nine-tenths of ownership. I will not spoil the surprise ending. Ask yourself at the end- Did everyone get what they deserved? Be especially sure to attend on one of the days when RMPL's Roger Cichorz will be present for cast and director "talkbacks" after the shows on Thursday, October 20th; Friday October 21st, Saturday, October 22nd; and the last day of this magnificent play on Friday, October 28th. |
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