Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #24b
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, wide, low signature: an angular zigzag 'M', a gap, then a tall 'P' and a short horizontal 'gt'-type ending with a crossbar. Height-to-width is low (0.168). | Every reference shows the same two-part abbreviated form: a sharp zigzag M-group, then a P with a tall stem and a low trailing ending. Height-to-width runs 0.168–0.288. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Near-upright downstrokes (0.5°). The overall line drops slightly (-6.5°) as written vertically along the card's right edge. | Upright to slightly left-leaning downstrokes (-15.5° to -2.0°). Baselines are roughly level. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is a fast sawtooth of sharp peaks with no rounded humps. The 'P' has a long downstroke and a small upper bowl. The ending is a low loop/hump with a horizontal crossing stroke. | Same sawtooth M (R1, R2, R4, R6 especially clear). Same P with descending stem and small bowl. Same low ending with crossbar (R1, R6, R7). | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The M-group is written as one continuous zigzag. There is a lift before the P, and the P flows into the ending. | Same pattern: continuous M zigzag, lift, P connected into the ending. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts appear tapered on the first M stroke. The final horizontal stroke exits with a tapered tail. | Tapered entry into the M and a flicked horizontal exit (R1, R4, R6). | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with natural thick-thin variation. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Fast, fluent strokes throughout. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on downstrokes, lighter on upstrokes and the exit (thickness variation 0.605). | Similar downstroke emphasis (0.409–0.59). | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Clear gap between the M-group and the P, with a compact ending. | Same characteristic gap and compact ending. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline or paraph. The ending crossbar is the only extension. | None use an underline. The crossbar ending is common to all. | Match |
| Placement and size | Blue ink, signed vertically along the right side over the art, near the border. | Placed across open art areas in blue or black. R1 runs horizontally. Orientation varies by card. | Natural variation |
Measurements
Software traced the ink and measured it against the known examples. The shaded band is the signer's normal range across those examples; the gold marker is this card.
| Feature | This card | Known examples | Normal range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slant of upright strokes | 0.5° | -15.5–-2.0° | In range | |
| Overall writing angle | -6.5° | -2.5–2.1° | In range | |
| Height to width | 0.168 | 0.168–0.288 | In range | |
| Ink travel per unit width | 3.84× | 2.32–4.05× | In range | |
| Stroke thickness variation | 0.605 | 0.409–0.59 | In range | |
| Closed loops | 44 | 10.0–45.0 | In range | |
| Separate strokes | 9 | 7.0–22.0 | In range |
Our software traced the ink of this signature and compared it with four of Mr. Pingitore's reference signatures that could be measured cleanly. All seven features fell within the range his own signatures normally vary: the lean of the upright strokes, the overall writing angle, the height-to-width shape, the amount of ink line per width, the thick-thin stroke variation, the number of closed loops and the number of separate strokes. The writing angle was the furthest out, at 1.5 normal spreads, and that is still comfortably normal. It is easily explained by this signature being written vertically along the card's edge. Several of these features are sensitive to photo conditions and were not used in the call. Even so, the overall numerical picture supports the signature being consistent with his hand, and it agrees with the visual comparison.
Examiner notes
Our card is from the 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition, an artist-signed parody sticker from Mark Pingitore's own Magic Marker Art line. All eight references come from the same kind of contemporary artist-autographed parody sticker or card product (Nintendopes Open Edition and Horrorible Kids Series 9), so they likely date to the same 2023–2024 period. No meaningful era drift is expected. Differences in pen color (blue vs black), ink type and surface (glossy colored stickers) count as natural variation.
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.
