Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #21a
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 | Two-part abbreviated signature: an angular 'M' with a small looped 'k/l' form, a gap, then a compressed 'P' group. A long, nearly straight terminal stroke trails to the right. | R1–R8 all show the same two-part structure: an angular 'M' group, a gap, a 'P' group, and a trailing horizontal finish. R1 and R3 have the most extended tails. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Fairly level baseline with a slight upward drift into the tail. Letters are upright to slightly right-leaning. | Level to slightly rising baselines with an upright to mild rightward lean (R1, R3, R5, R6). | Match |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is built as a sharp zigzag of tall peaks, followed by a small looped hump. The 'P' group is compressed and less legible than in most references, with the bowl reduced to a quick loop. | Same zigzag 'M' and looped follow-on hump in all references. The 'P' bowl is more open in R1, R2 and R3, and compressed or abbreviated in R4, R7 and R8. | Natural variation |
| Connecting strokes | The 'M' runs continuously into the loop. There is a pen lift before the 'P' group, and the 'P' connects into the tail. | The same lift between the first-name and surname groups appears in all references. The 'P' connects into the terminal stroke. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | The start is a quick entry into the 'M' downstroke. The ending is a long tapered horizontal stroke that thins out to the right. | R1 and R3 show the same long tapered horizontal finish. Others end shorter, possibly due to crop or space. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes look fluid and fast, with a tapered tail and no visible tremor or hesitation. The ink appears mottled or beaded along stroke centers. | Fast, confident strokes throughout. R4, R7 and R8 also show slightly textured ink on glossy sticker stock. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on the 'M' downstrokes, lightening through the tail. | Similar heavier downstrokes on the 'M' and a lighter finishing stroke (R1, R3, R6). | Match |
| Spacing | A moderate gap between the 'M' group and the 'P' group. | Comparable gap in all references. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The only flourish is the extended terminal stroke. | No underlines. The terminal extension varies in length. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically along the right edge of the art area, over the yellow-to-purple background. Size is proportionate to the card. | The crops do not show placement on the full card. Sizes appear comparable. | Not assessable |
| Ink and medium | Dark (black or very dark green) marker on the glossy sticker surface, with some sheen or beading. | Mostly blue or black marker on similar glossy stock. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our card is from the 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids open-edition sticker release (No. 21a). All eight references are contemporary artist autographs from the same artist-run product family: seven from the Nintendopes open-edition stickers and one from the Horrorible Kids Series 9 autograph card. They likely come from the same 2023–2025 era. No meaningful era drift is expected, so differences should be judged as surface, pen and speed 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.
