HIGH BIDDING WOULD BE A LOGICAL ASSUMPTION.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

The command chair, the very one that William Shatner as Capt. James T. Kirk sat in for every episode of the original ``Star Trek'' series, could be yours.

Yes, Trekkies of the universe, the whole command post, including the platform from the bridge of the USS Enterprise, will be taken from the Desilu ``Star Trek'' set and put on the auction block at 1 p.m. Thursday. Bidding will be steep, with a presale estimate of $100,000, but you'll get letters of authenticity to go with it.

Other less-pricey memorabilia from the private collections of ``Star Trek'' creators and executives Herbert F. Solow, Bob Justman and Matt Jefferies will include costumes worn by the entire cast of the original series as well as ``Star Trek: The Next Generation,'' plus scrips, documents and research material.

The live auction takes place at the Los Angeles Marriott Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport, but you can also place bids at www.ebayliveauctions.com. For more information, call Lora Hart at [phone] or visit the Profiles in History Web site at www.profilesinhistory.com.

THE KING AGAIN: The biggest chart news this week is the debut of Elvis Presley at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with his 18th chart-topper, ``A Little Less Conversation'' (RCA). That breaks the 25-year-old tie between Presley and the Beatles for having the most No. 1 singles in Britain. But there's also big chart news for the man born on Presley's 12th birthday. That would be David Bowie, who has the highest-debuting album of his career this week, as ``Heathen'' (ISO/Columbia) enters the Billboard 200 at No. 14. That makes the critically acclaimed work Bowie's highest-charting set since ``Tonight'' sailed to No. 11 in November 1984. Bowie's previous best debut was the entry at No. 21 of ``Outside'' in October 1995. Thanks to its high debut, ``Heathen'' ranks 10th among the 36 Bowie albums to appear on the Billboard album chart. Bowie's highest-charting set is ``Station to Station,'' which checked in at No. 3 in 1976. Next is ``Let's Dance,'' Bowie's EMI America debut, which reached No. 4 in 1983. In third place is ``Diamond Dogs,'' a No. 5 album in 1974. The debut of ``Heathen'' stretches Bowie's album chart span to 30 years, two months, and two weeks, dating back to the entrance of ``Hunky Dory'' in the week of April 15, 1972.

OH, BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?: Ralph Stanley last appeared on a Billboard chart under his own name 42 years ago this month. Actually, ``How Far to Little Rock'' was credited to the Stanley Brothers, a duo that consisted of Ralph and his older brother, Carter Stanley. ``How Far to Little Rock'' was their only single to appear on the country singles chart, making them one-hit wonders. Stanley is an integral part of the most successful soundtrack in the history of Billboard's country charts. He can be heard on ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?'' (Lost Highway/Mercury), which reclaims pole position on Top Country Albums this week. So it's a sweet triumph for 75-year-old Stanley, who debuts on the Billboard 200 at No. 163 with ``Ralph Stanley'' (DMZ/Columbia). The set enters Top Country Albums at No. 22.

INDEPENDENCE DAY?: Three months before the third annual Latin Grammy Awards, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has elected its first board of trustees, headed by former Universal Music Latin America chairman Manolo Diaz, who will serve as chairman. Gabriel Abaroa, CEO of Wireless Latin Entertainment, was named vice chairman, and Tom Gomes, president of Editora Espectaculo Publishing in Brazil, is secretary/treasurer. Former National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences chairman Michael Greene will act as a consultant to LARAS.

The notion of LARAS being independent from NARAS - with its own interests and goals at the forefront - has long been discussed. The creation of an independent board of directors is the first step, although for now the Latin Grammy Awards will continue to be overseen by NARAS' awards department. This year's awards are set to take place Sept. 18 in Los Angeles and will air live on CBS.