Oh, WOW! Good for you.
A couuple of months ago I sent Mr. Colman a LOR and 2 photos and he sent me a postcard asking for money. He would hold on to my photos until I sent the money. I don't mind actors asking for a fee but his hand typed (typewriter, yes) postcard had a very rude over tone, like I should have known better. I was sad because I had high esteem for him.
It could also be that I got his manager or rep, they usually are the ones who send out snitty notes.
Then when I get the actual actor him/herself they are really sweet and even give extra pictures.
I'm glad you caught him on a better day.
Well, I found him to be very gracious. In fact, he called me in person to ask if I had meant for him to keep the DVD I had sent (I did), and we had a brief, though certainly memorable to me, conversation. He was very polite, and I was impressed by his old-world charm.
Maybe the signing fee is now an important part of his income, and perhaps he signed my photos without charge because of the DVD I had sent him?