Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #14a
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 signature: an angular zigzag 'M' with a small trailing hook, then a separated 'P' group ending in a long crossed terminal. The second group is slightly longer than the first. | R1–R7 show the same two-group structure: zigzag initial, a gap, then a P-plus-crossed-t group of similar relative length. R1 is the most fully legible example. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Signed vertically along the card's right edge. Once rotated, it has a moderate rightward slant on a slightly rising baseline. | R2–R7 show a comparable moderate right slant and a roughly level to slightly rising baseline. R1 is flatter and larger, consistent with more room on a larger card. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | 'M' is made of sharp peaks with a short connecting hook. The 'P' has a looped bowl, followed by abbreviated scribble and a horizontal cross-bar. | Same construction across R1–R7: peaked M, looped P bowl, abbreviated middle, crossing horizontal bar at the end. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The M connects to its trailing hook in one motion. There is a pen lift before the P group, and the P group runs continuously into the terminal. | References show the same lift between the initial and the surname group, with continuous running strokes inside each group. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Tapered entry on the M. The terminal cross-stroke ends in a flicked, tapered exit with no blunt stop visible. | R1, R4 and R6 show tapered entries and a flicked horizontal exit like ours. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with variable width and no visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Fast, fluid line quality across the references. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier ink on downstrokes of the M and the P stem, lighter on connectors and the exit stroke. Density is not uniform. | Similar heavy-down, light-connector pattern in R1, R5 and R7. | Match |
| Spacing | Clear gap between the initial group and the surname group. The surname group itself is tightly spaced. | Same spacing habit in R1–R7. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The only flourish is the long horizontal crossing terminal. | No underlines. A crossing terminal is present in R1–R7. | Match |
| Placement and size | Placed vertically in open pink space beside the figure, avoiding the artwork and title. Medium size. | References are crops only, so full-card placement can't be confirmed. Sizes are comparable relative to sticker-format cards. R1 is on a larger card. | Not assessable |
| Reproduction indicators | Ink appears to sit on top of the printed pink background, with tonal variation and no visible halftone dot pattern in the crop. Image resolution is limited. | N/A | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our card is the 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition artist auto, so it is contemporary, current-era Pingitore. All references come from the same recent artist-auto period: the Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition and Horrorible Kids Series 9 (Magic Marker Art). No era gap needs explaining. Differences in ink colour (blue, black, dark green) and surface (glossy sticker stock in various print colours) are expected for artist-signed sticker runs.
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.
