Autograph Authentication Report
2024 Mutagen Canister Kids Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #1b
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: an angular zigzag 'M' group followed by a looped 'P' and a trailing 't'-type cross-stroke. The 'M' group is roughly equal in width to the 'P' group. | R1–R8 all show the same two-group abbreviated form, angular 'M' block plus looped 'P' with a trailing cross. Proportions are similar, with R1 the most extended and R4/R7 the most compressed. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong right slant on the uprights, with a roughly level-to-slightly-rising baseline relative to the writing direction. On the card it is written rotated, running upward along the right edge. | Right slant and a level or slightly rising baseline throughout. R5 and R6 rise a little more steeply. | Match |
| Letter construction | 'M' is made as a tall left upstroke, sharp downstroke and narrow zigzag peaks, ending in a small 'l'-like hook. 'P' has a tall stem with a closed upper bowl that drops into a descending loop, then a 't'-like stroke. | Same construction in R1, R2, R3, R5 and R6: zigzag 'M' with a hooked terminal, a looped 'P' bowl, and a descending loop before the final cross. R4 and R7 are more abbreviated but follow the same sequence. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The 'M' group is written in one continuous stroke. There is a pen lift between the 'M' and 'P' groups, and the 'P' group connects into the trailing letters. | The same lift between the two groups and continuous strokes within each group appear across all references. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Tapered entry on the 'M' upstroke. Ends with a horizontal cross-stroke extended to the right that tapers off. | Tapered entries. Most end in a horizontal crossbar, long in R1, R3 and R6 and shorter in R2 and R5. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluent and fast, with smooth curves and tapered terminals. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Fast, fluent marker strokes in all references. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on the downstrokes of the 'M' and 'P' stem, lighter on the connecting upstrokes and the terminal. | Similar pressure variation is visible in R1, R3 and R6. R7 and R8 are harder to read because of the busy backgrounds. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the 'M' group and the 'P' group, and tight spacing within each group. | Gap widths vary from small (R4, R7) to wide (R1), and ours falls within that range. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The only flourish is the terminal crossbar. | No underlines in any reference. The terminal crossbar is the consistent flourish. | Match |
| Placement and size | Blue ink, placed vertically along the right side of the artwork. It overlaps the background and part of the figure or prop art, and is moderately sized relative to the sticker. | Placement on the artwork varies (sticker crops). Blue ink matches R1, R3, R5, R6 and R8. Black ink appears in R2, R4 and R7. | Natural variation |
| Reproduction indicators | Ink appears to sit over the printed art with varying density. No halftone or dot pattern is discernible at this resolution, and the placement is not a fixed facsimile position. | Not applicable. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our item is a 2024 Mutagen Canister Kids open-edition sticker (No. 1b), a Magic Marker Art product. All eight references are contemporaneous: R1 is a Horrorible Kids Series 9 manufacturer autograph card, and R2–R8 are Nintendopes open-edition artist autos, all from roughly 2023–2024 Magic Marker Art releases. No meaningful era gap exists, so differences mostly reflect surface (glossy sticker stock), pen (blue or black felt/paint marker) and signing speed in what are likely high-volume signing sessions.
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.
