Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #9b
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: a zigzag 'M' with a small trailing loop or 'c', a gap, then a tall-stemmed 'P' with a looped bowl and an abbreviated tail finishing in a 't' crossbar. | R1–R7 show the same two-unit structure: a zigzag M-group followed by a P-group with a tall stem and crossed terminal. The relative width of the two units is similar. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Written vertically along the right edge of the art, reading bottom to top. Relative to the writing direction there is a moderate forward slant and a roughly level baseline. | References are written horizontally with a moderate forward slant and level baseline. R1 is the most upright. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is formed as sharp angular peaks, much like an 'N' or 'W' zigzag, followed by a small 'c'/'l'-like stroke. The 'P' is a tall downstroke with a bowl looped back over the top. | Same angular M-zigzag in R1, R3, R4, R5 and R6. Same tall P with an overhead bowl in R1, R2, R3 and R5. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The M-group is written in one continuous stroke. There is a pen lift between the M-group and the P, and the P-group runs into the tail. | Every reference shows a pen lift between the first-name and surname units, and continuous strokes within each unit. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | The entry stroke on the M appears tapered. The terminal 't' crossbar is a quick horizontal flick. The crop is partly clipped by the red graphic element at the end. | Tapered entries and a fast crossbar or flick finish appear in R1, R3, R4 and R6. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid strokes with consistent curvature. No visible tremor, hesitation or blunt stops at this resolution. | All references are fast, fluid marker signatures. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Marker ink with fairly even density. Slight darkening appears at direction changes. | Similar marker density across the references. R1 and R3 show the same modest darkening at turns. | Match |
| Spacing | Clear gap between the M-unit and the P-unit. The P-group is somewhat compressed. | Comparable inter-unit gap. Compression varies (R4 is wider, R2 and R5 tighter). | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended crossbar on the terminal stroke is the only flourish. | No underline in any reference. R1 has an extended terminal flourish. | Match |
| Placement and size | Placed vertically in the right margin of the artwork, over the background and partly near the title banner. Moderate size. | Reference placements vary across the artwork on sticker cards. Placement is ad hoc, as is typical for artist autos. | Natural variation |
| Ink color | Dark blue, nearly navy marker. | Blue (R1, R3, R6) and black or dark (R2, R4, R5, R7, R8) are both used. | Match |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition artist auto, an artist-signed release from the same period and the same Magic Marker Art product family as the Nintendopes references (R2–R8) and the Horrorible Kids Series 9 card (R1). All references are contemporaneous artist-signed sticker cards, so no era adjustment is needed. Differences among them come from surface (gloss, color fields) and signing speed.
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.
