After decades being among the most generous of astronaut signers, for each signature requested Frank Borman now requires a $50 donation to "St. Andrews Church." His signature has changed considerably from the early '70s to more of "Bor" plus a slightly wavy line.

Sometimes with paraph, sometimes without, James Lovell's flamboyant signature has many distinct variations, even on the same day!

He now restricts his free signing to personalized copies of his book, "Lost Moon." Requests to sign anything else are declined. Lovell must have commercial relations with a couple of space autograph dealers, as they are offering fairly expensive signed photos.

Bill Anders, probably one of the most successful ex-astronauts, today heads General Dynamics. His secretary will send you a copy of the company's annual report which has his printed signature, along with a nice letter.

Anders was never enthusiastic about signing. The only way to obtain his autograph now is in person. I've seen examples of his scarce signature -- W.A. Anders, Bill Anders, and my unique example "A" with a long tail -- and, at the least, they are artistic.

Apollo 10 offered everything except the landing. The first all-veteran crew, Stafford, Cernan and Young... all three space vehicles ...orbit of the moon... descent to 50,000 feet above the lunar surface in the LEM... jettison of the descent stage to crash into the lunar surface... then rendezvous with the Command Module in Lunar orbit.

As he cruised in the LEM just above the mountain tops, Commander Tom Stafford said, "I wish I could stay!" Of the three, he was the only one who didn't get to take a moon walk. He went on to be the American commander for the Apollo-Soyuz docking mission with the former Soviet cosmonauts.

During his astronaut days, Gen. Stafford was a good signer when not actively training for a mission. Now, he'll only sign for a $40 per signature donation to "City of Weatherford, Oklahoma/Stafford Museum Endowment." Regarding inscriptions, philatelic items, etc., it would be best to write first.

Gene Cernan also signs for charity, in his case the price is $50 per signature to "With a Purpose." It's been my experience that he will add a mission number, title or the like if requested. He tends to personalize, so if you are paying your money and don't want personalizations, say so.

Capt. Cernan also has commercial relationships with most space autograph dealers, so a variety of items (signed photographs, lunar maps, etc.) is widely available. In fact, supply may well exceed demand. Although he has an aversion to signing covers (at least through the mail), there have been scattered reports that he will sometimes sign them in person.

Cernan will sign his excellent book, "Last Man On the Moon," without charge if a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) is included. It will probably be personalized, although I suppose you could ask him not to sign it that way.

John Young is the last of the Gemini astronauts still on space flight status, although Mrs. Young reacted with a quite forceful "No!" when I asked him last spring whether he might be flying to the International Space Station that's now being built. Young is about the only astronaut I can recall who dislikes giving autographs so much he that ducks out of meetings before they're over.

During his Apollo days mail requests were routinely shuttled directly to the Autopen room. Even then, the best way to get a signature was to have another astronaut carry your material to him and ask for you! If Charlie and Dottie Duke hadn't been the soul of kindness back in the early '70s, I don't know if I'd have anything genuinely signed by him today.

Nicely written requests, and the patience of Job, have usually yielded a genuinely signed, personalized NASA 8x10 litho of Capt. Young with models of the various spacecraft he has flown. These are free and you don't really have to include a SASE, although I would recommend it with 3 oz. postage.

I'd strongly recommend going this route. You can always keep your eye open for a signed photo of him on the moon, or in his spacesuit, or whatever suits your fancy and buy it later. At least this way you'll have something signed by the ninth man to set foot on the moon.

In more than 30 years of collecting astronaut autographs, I've learned that genuine John Young signatures are far scarcer that those of Neil Armstrong -- although taking into consideration Armstrong's unique place in history, it's likely that his signature will always command a higher price.

If you really want to send your own item, on rare occasions Young has been known to sign the "Jump Salute" on the moon photograph. Yet, don't even think of sending covers because he hates them!

There are several styles of John Young signature, and he has varied back and forth between them over the years. Lately, while he has been inscribing photographs with a small, rather tight and crabbed signature, some of his earlier autographs were large and flamboyant.

Tips for success

Whether an Apollo astronaut signs for free or a fee, you'll get better results if you make things as easy as possible for him and the person(s) helping with the daily chore.

I have seen some advice that requests be sent out with short-paid postage, on the theory that the post office misses a lot of the underpaid mail anyway, or the celebrity can afford to pay the postage due. Maybe that works for some millionaire actors and sports figures, but I don't think this applies to many former astronauts, so I'd advise not to do it. Besides, it's in very bad taste and dishonest.

Send your material "return-ready."

Use 9x12 self-addressed return envelopes. Cut light weight, non-corrugated cardboard to fit snugly. A photo or two (I slip mine in a plastic photo protector page with the 1/2 inch binder portion snipped off) should weigh less than four ounces, so affix 99 cents postage.

Slip everything, your request letter included, into a 10x13 envelope, stamped with $1.21 (five ounces) postage and it's ready to go. Of course, don't forget to mark each envelope "Photos, Please Do Not Bend."

There is one thing very important to remember: No Apollo astronaut is obligated to GIVE you an autograph. He always has the right to refuse. If you don't want your check returned and your material sent back unsigned, don't demand -- ask nicely.

On the other hand, if you are paying the steep fees most former astronauts require, you have a perfect right to spell out where and how you want something signed (if you want a special pen used, provide it, don't assume he has one), and to expect him to take reasonable care with your material.

If something is to be signed in gold or silver metallic pen, make a point of asking the person to give it some time to dry. A lot of nice signatures are smudged by being placed in an envelope or sleeve while still wet. At $20-40 (and more) a pop, you certainly have a right to require this. But, again, be polite about it.

You also have a right to expect a neat, legible signature and inscription. Granted, some people have less than beautiful handwriting, but at these prices, there is no excuse for just dashing through carelessly, either.

One moon walker not known for the beauty of his signature recently penned a LONG inscription on a photograph for me. Every word is perfectly clear and readable, and it's the best signature of the man I've ever seen. He took his time, and I sincerely appreciate the finished product.