Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #40a
Findings
Signature comparison
This card. The signature as cropped from the slab photo (front).
Below, the known examples Crown compared it with. Examples with stronger proof (signed in front of staff, or certified by an independent authenticator) carry the most weight.
Feature by feature
| Feature | This card | Known examples | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall form and proportions | Compact two-part abbreviated signature: an angular zigzag 'M' plus a short 'l'-like stroke, then a stylized 'P' with a loop and a 't/tt' cluster ending in a horizontal bar. The first-name block and surname block are of similar size. | R1–R8 all show the same two-block abbreviated form: zigzag 'Ml', a gap, then a looped 'P' followed by a 'gt/tt' cluster and a long horizontal terminal. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Signed vertically along the right edge. Relative to the signature's own axis it has a mild rightward slant and a fairly level baseline, with the surname block riding slightly higher. | R2–R7 show a mild right slant, level to slightly rising baseline, and a surname block set slightly higher than the 'M'. | Match |
| Letter construction | 'M' is built from sharp up-down peaks with a pointed apex, followed by a short upstroke. The 'P' is a tall stem with a closed loop. The ending shows crossed 't'-like strokes. | Same sharp-peaked 'M' in R1, R3, R4, R7 and R8. Looped 'P' with crossed-t cluster in R1, R6, R7 and especially R8, which shows a similar doubled-t crossing. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | 'M' runs into the following stroke without a lift. A lift separates first-name and surname blocks. The P-to-t cluster is connected. | Identical pattern across references: one break between blocks, continuous within each block. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a quick upstroke into the 'M' with no blunt start. Ends in a fast horizontal crossbar trailing off with a tapered finish. | R1, R3, R7 and R8 end with the same long tapered horizontal crossbar. Starts are similarly quick. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid and fast with smooth curves, no visible tremor or hesitation, and natural width variation from the marker. | Fast, confident marker lines throughout R1–R8. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on the downstrokes of the 'M' and 'P' stem, lighter on connecting upstrokes and the terminal bar. The ink shows uneven density and reflective sheen. | Similar downstroke emphasis visible in R2, R5, R6 and R8. | Match |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the 'M' block and the surname block. Surname elements are tightly grouped. | Comparable spacing in R1–R8, with minor variation from available signing space. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The terminal horizontal crossbar serves as the flourish. | No underlines. The terminal crossbar flourish is present in all references. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically in blue paint marker in open background space right of the artwork, slightly overlapping the character's hand. Moderate size. | References are horizontal crops on varied sticker backgrounds in blue or black marker, placed in open art areas. Orientation and color differences reflect sticker layout and pen choice. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids open-edition sticker, a contemporary artist-autographed parody release. The references are the same artist's modern open-edition and parody sticker autographs (Nintendopes, Slop Culture Kids, Horrorible Kids Series 9) and appear to be the same signing era. No era-driven change in form is expected, and none is observed.
How Crown authenticates autographs: the signature is compared with known examples gathered from Crown's own authenticated cards, independent authenticators and public listings, measured by software, examined by an AI forensic model, and signed off by Crown Grading staff. The decision above is Crown's.
