AUTOGRAPH HUNTER FINDS MEANING IN SIGNATURES.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writer

Autographs collected through most of his life from dignitaries, celebrities and those who mark history have served as a never-ending education for Mike Channels.

``This is a way of learning history that makes it fun,'' said the independent contractor from Santa Clarita. ``The more you know about a person, the better chance you have of getting their autograph. Sometimes you'll touch them enough that they'll even write you back a letter.''

At last count a few years ago, Channels had 3,000 signatures stashed in his closet, with the more precious of John Hancocks adorning his hallway walls.

He's chased down countless sports figures, four U.S. presidents, including Bill Clinton, former and current Israeli leaders, Shirley Temple, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, George Burns, and astronauts who walked the moon - to name a few.

``Every signature has a story,'' Channels said.

When he can, Channels gains the signatures in person to assure authenticity. But sometimes, he pays a pretty penny. Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls, for instance, charged $80 for his signature, the collector said.

Working for himself allows Channels time to travel for the keepsake signatures. He peruses book-signing announcements in the newspaper and waits in hours-long lines for seconds-long signatures.

A self-described people-person, Channels said he enjoys taking time to meet others.

``You meet some of the nicest people when you're waiting in line. But you see some really weird people too,'' he said.

He ventures out for a signature about once a week. Last week, he traveled to Los Angeles for the Goldman family's book signing, waiting about three hours because of a bomb threat at the store.

``It was one of the saddest (book signings) because you saw the pain in their faces,'' he said.

Channels buys the more difficult signatures through mail order. But oftentimes, these signatures are done with an auto pen that writes out the names, he said.

Channels, 31, began collecting autographs at age 6, while living in Ohio. He won a promotional contest by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and became a ``bat boy,'' picking up equipment for the team for three days. There, he met famed Latin baseball player Roberto Clemente, who gave him his first autograph.

``After that, it was like a drug. It was so exciting,'' he said.

At age 16, his father, Carl, died of cancer. This prompted Channels to try to get his hands on signatures of personalities from his father's era or from those suffering from cancer.

``I was kind of collecting things that had meaning to him. It kind of kept me in touch with him,'' he said. ``You can sit and look at these things and re-live the memories that you had at one time.''

Channels said he has never sold a signature. To him, gaining a person's autograph is a hobby and a lesson in life. He has given away some of the signatures to players on a Little League team he coached.

When he dies, Channels figures he will donate his collection to a society that works to cure a disease.

``Hopefully, cancer will be cured by that time,'' he said.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--color in SAC edition only) Mike Channels adorns his walls with cherished autographs.

(2--ran in SAC edition only) Channels holds a football autographed by a number of NFL stars.

John Lazar/Special to the Daily News