Identifying Autopens

Autopen Patterns
Crew & Group Preprints
Astronaut Bio (NASA JSC) Link to NASA astronaut biography
William "Bill" A. Anders

Pattern 1

An early autopen with the full name, this is most often seen on his business suit portraits.

Anders Autopen pattern 1 example

Pattern 2

Anders Autopen pattern 2
Anders Autopen pattern 2 example

Anders Autopen pattern 2 example

Pattern 3

Seen used in 1966 and 1968.

Anders Autopen pattern 3
Anders Autopen pattern 3 example

Anders Autopen pattern 3 example

Pattern 4

Seen on Apollo 8 covers from 1969, the surname part appears to be identical to that of pattern 3 (above) but the "W." is different and the "A" absent. Apparently a printed pattern created for covers from an autopen template, alongside the autopen signatures of Borman and Lovell.

Anders Autopen pattern 4
Anders Autopen pattern 4 example

Pattern 5

It's unclear whether this is an autopen or a preprint but this signature was used on Apollo 8 crew portrait cards sent in response to autograph requests when Anders was working at General Dynamics.

Anders Autopen pattern 5
Anders Autopen pattern 5 example

Pattern 6

A second example has apaprently confirmed this early full signature to be a previously unrecognized Autopen pattern.

Anders Autopen pattern 6 example