Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #33b
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 | Abbreviated two-part signature. A compact zig-zag 'M' (with a small trailing 'k'-like stroke) is followed by a tall-stemmed 'P' group that ends in a long horizontal stroke. | R1–R8 all show the same abbreviated form: a zig-zag initial, a gap, a 'P' with a looped bowl, a 'g'/'t' cluster, and a long horizontal crossbar. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Mild right slant with a roughly level baseline. The signature was written vertically along the card's right edge, so it is rotated relative to the card. | Mild right slant and level to slightly rising baseline in R1, R2, R4, R6 and R8. | Match |
| Letter construction | 'M' made as sharp up-down peaks. The 'P' has a tall stem and a bowl that flows into a descender loop below the baseline, then the 't'. | Same sharp-peaked 'M' in all references. R6 in particular shows a descender loop under the 'P/g' area. R2, R4 and R7 show the same P-bowl-to-t flow. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The 'M' and its trailing stroke are connected. There is a lift before the 'P', and the 'P' group runs continuously into the crossbar. | Same lift between the initial and the 'P' group, with continuous connection through the end, in R1–R8. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | The 'M' starts with a short lead-in. The signature ends in a long, tapering horizontal stroke to the right. | Long tapered terminal crossbar in R1, R2, R7 and R8. R4 is shorter, within normal variation. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, rapid strokes with tapered ends. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Rapid marker execution in all references. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier pressure in the downstrokes of the 'M' and 'P', lighter in the terminal stroke. Ink density varies. | Similar heavy downstrokes and lighter finishing strokes, especially in R2, R5 and R6. | Match |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the initial and the surname group. The surname group is compact. | Comparable spacing throughout, with minor variation (R3 is wider). | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The descender loop and the long crossbar are the only flourishes. | No underlines. The crossbar is the main flourish. A descender loop appears in R6 and to a lesser degree elsewhere. | Natural variation |
| Placement and size | Black marker, written vertically along the right side over the artwork and background. Moderately large relative to the card. | The reference crops do not show placement on the card. Sizes look comparable relative to the card surface. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our card is labeled 2024 (Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition). The references are Mark Pingitore artist autos on Magic Marker Art products of the same style and period: Nintendopes Open Edition stickers and a Horrorible Kids Series 9 autograph card. All appear to be current-era (roughly 2023–2024) signatures in the same abbreviated 'M Pgt' form, so no meaningful era gap is expected.
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.
