Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #31a
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: angular 'M' with a small trailing loop, a gap, then a tall 'P' and a looped 'g/t' cluster ending in a long horizontal stroke. The first-name unit is shorter than the surname unit. | R1–R8 all show the same abbreviated 'M(l) P..t' structure with similar unit proportions. R1, R2, R3 and R7 are closest. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Moderate right slant with a slightly rising baseline relative to the signature axis (signed vertically on the card). | Right slant with level to slightly rising baselines across R1–R8. R3 and R6 rise a bit more. | Match |
| Letter construction – 'M' | Zigzag 'M': an upstroke, a sharp downward diagonal, another upstroke, then a small loop or eyelet leading into the connector. | Same zigzag 'M' with a small eyelet in R1, R2, R4, R5, R7 and R8. R3's 'M' is slightly more open. | Match |
| Letter construction – 'P' and surname | Tall 'P' stem with an upper bowl, followed by compressed looped forms ('g/t') and a crossing stroke. | Tall 'P' with bowl, compressed middle forms and a crossing 't' stroke throughout R1–R8. R1 is the most legible and matches closely. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | First and surname units are separated by a pen lift. Within units, strokes are connected in a fluid cursive manner. | Same pen lift between units, with connected strokes within units, in all references. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a light upward entry into the 'M'. Ends with an extended, tapering horizontal stroke to the right. | Tapered entry strokes and a long horizontal terminal stroke in R1, R2, R4, R5 and R7. R4 and R8 end with a shorter flick. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Smooth, confident strokes with natural tapering at the ends. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Fast, fluid line quality in all references. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Ink density varies, with heavier deposits on downstrokes and lighter connectors. This is consistent with live pen on glossy stock. | Similar variation in R2, R5 and R7. R1 is broader and more uniform, consistent with a different pen. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the 'M' unit and the 'P' unit. The surname cluster is tight. | Comparable spacing, with minor variation (wider in R1, tighter in R6). | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended terminal stroke serves as the only flourish. | No underlines. An extended terminal stroke appears in most references. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically along the right side of the artwork in blue, overlapping the background and the edge of the character art. Size is proportionate to the card. | Placement is not fully visible in the reference crops. Ink colors vary (blue, black, dark green) and on-art placement is typical for this artist's stickers. | Natural variation |
| Reproduction indicators | Visible density variation and stroke tapering. No obvious halftone or dot pattern at this resolution. Ink appears to sit on the surface over the printed art. | Not applicable. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition artist auto. All eight references come from the same artist's recent self-produced releases: Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition and Horrorible Kids Series 9, both roughly 2023–2024. They are effectively contemporaneous with ours, so era drift is not a significant factor. Remaining differences are attributable to pen type (blue paint/gel vs. black or blue marker), surface (glossy sticker stock), and orientation, since ours was signed vertically along the card's right edge.
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.
