matplotlib version check fails for version "1.5.2rc2"

[hfs]

vectorbender.py uses

StrictVersion(matplotlib.__version__)

to check for the matplotlib version numer. On my Debian "testing" distribution the version number currently is "1.5.2~rc2-1". matplotlib.version is "1.5.2rc2". Above code raises an exception, because the version number does not match the expected format.

ValueError: invalid version number '1.5.2rc2'

Because of the following except block, VectorBender then acts as if the dependency is not met.