Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #42b
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 | Abbreviated two-part signature: an angular zigzag 'M'-type initial group, a gap, then a 'P' with a 'gt'-like terminal and an extended crossbar. | R1–R8 all show the same two-unit abbreviated structure, with a compact initial group and a longer second unit ending in a crossed terminal. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong right-leaning slant. The signature is written along the left card edge (rotated relative to the card). The baseline is roughly straight relative to the writing direction. | Right slant and a straight-to-slightly-rising baseline appear throughout R1–R8. | Match |
| Letter construction | First unit: tall left downstroke, then sharp zigzag peaks with a small hooked trailing element. Second unit: tall 'P' stem with a small bowl, then a low looped 'g'/'t' combination. | Same zigzag first-unit construction in R1, R2, R4, R6 and R8. The 'P' stem plus low terminal letters appear in all. R3 and R7 are more compressed. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | Within-unit connections are continuous. There is a clear lift between the first and second units. | The same lift between units and continuous intra-unit connection appear in all references. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a quick entry on the first downstroke. Ends with a long horizontal crossbar stroke that tapers out. | R1, R2, R5, R6 and R8 show the same long tapering terminal crossbar. R7 shows a shorter version. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with tapered terminals. No visible tremor, patching or hesitation at this resolution. | Fast, fluid execution throughout R1–R8. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on downstrokes, lighter on connectors and terminals. Ink density visibly varies. | Similar variation, given the mix of marker on stickers and glossy surfaces. | Match |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the two units. Second unit slightly longer than the first. | Comparable spacing. R3 and R5 are a little tighter. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended terminal crossbar is the only flourish. | No underlines in any reference. The terminal crossbar is the consistent flourish. | Match |
| Placement and size | Blue ink, written vertically along the left border over the printed background, not in a pre-defined autograph area. | Reference crops show signatures over printed art in blue (R1, R3, R6, R8) or black (R2, R4, R5, R7). Placement is free-hand and varies. | Natural variation |
| Reproduction indicators | No halftone or dot pattern visible in the ink. The ink appears to sit over the printed art, and density is not uniform. | N/A | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our item is a 2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition artist auto (No. 42b). R2–R8 come from the same Nintendopes open-edition run, so they are the same era and context. R1, a Magic Marker Art Horrorible Kids Series 9 1/10, is likely slightly later but shows the same abbreviated form. No meaningful era drift is evident across the set.
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.
