Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #32b
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'-type initial, then a 'P' unit with a trailing crossbar/terminal stroke. Roughly a 1:2 ratio between the first and second units. | R1–R8 all show the same two-part structure: zigzag initial, gap, then a 'P'-based unit ending in a horizontal bar or flick. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Written rotated vertically along the right edge of the card. Relative to its own axis it has a moderate rightward slant and a slightly rising baseline. | Mostly moderate rightward slant with a roughly level or slightly rising baseline (R1, R2, R5, R8). R6 and R7 are more compressed and upright. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | Initial is built as a quick sharp-angled zigzag with a short secondary peak. The 'P' has a tall stem and a small loop, followed by abbreviated forms and a crossing stroke. | Same zigzag initial with a secondary peak (R1, R3, R4, R8). Same 'P' stem-and-loop plus a crossed terminal (R1, R2, R5). | Match |
| Connecting strokes | Pen lift between the initial and the surname unit. Strokes inside each unit are connected. | Consistent pen lift between the units in all references, with connected strokes within each unit. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Entry stroke appears to begin with a flying start. The terminal crossbar trails off with a taper. | R1, R2, R4 and R5 show flying starts and a tapering horizontal terminal. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes look fluid and confident, with no visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Rapid, fluid execution throughout. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Some density variation is visible, heavier in the downstrokes. Image resolution limits assessment. | Heavier downstrokes and lighter connectors in R1, R2 and R5. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the initial and the 'P' unit. | Similar gap; it varies from tight (R6, R7) to moderate (R1, R8). | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. Terminal crossbar only. | No underlines. Terminal bar or flick only. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically in the right margin over the green background, beside the artwork. Ink is dark teal/green. | Placement on references varies across open-field areas of the art. Ink is blue, black or dark green (R4 is green). | Natural variation |
| Ink colour/medium | Dark teal/green marker. | R4 is dark green; the others are blue or black marker. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our item is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids open-edition artist-auto sticker. References R2–R8 are from the same artist's contemporaneous Nintendopes open-edition sticker autos, and R1 is a Horrorible Kids autograph card, all likely from about 2023–2024. Everything sits in one short, modern era, so no meaningful career drift is expected. Differences come from surface (glossy sticker stock), pen colour and orientation.
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.
