Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #35b
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. A tall angular 'M' cluster is followed by a compressed surname cluster ending in a crossed 't'-like terminal. It is compact and run along the card's long axis. | R1–R8 all show the same two-cluster abbreviated form, with a 'M' zig-zag, a gap, then a 'P'-led surname cluster ending in a horizontal crossbar. Proportions are compact in the Nintendopes refs (R1–R6) and more extended in R7/R8 on larger signing areas. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong rightward slant on the 'M' strokes. The baseline is fairly level relative to the signature's own axis, which is rotated on the card. | Rightward-slanted 'M' verticals and a roughly level baseline appear in R1, R2, R3, R5 and R6. R4 and R8 are slightly flatter. | Match |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is built as sharp up-down peaks with an extended final stroke. The surname shows a looped 'P' bowl, a descender-like 'g'/'y' form, and a 't' with a long horizontal cross. | Same construction: angular 'M' peaks (R1, R3, R6, R8), a 'P' bowl with following descender (R2, R5, R6, R8), and a long terminal cross (R1, R3, R6, R7, R8). | Match |
| Connecting strokes | The 'M' is connected internally. There is a pen break between the first-name and surname clusters, and the surname is partially connected. | The same break between clusters and partial connections within the surname are seen across R1–R8. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Entry is via a downstroke into the 'M'. The exit is a horizontal crossbar extended to the right. No obvious blunt starts are visible at this resolution. | Similar downstroke entries and horizontal terminal crossbars appear, e.g. R1, R3, R6 and R8. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes appear smooth and continuous, with tapering at turns. There is no visible tremor or hesitation at the available resolution. | References show fast, fluid marker strokes with tapered ends. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Ink density varies modestly, darker in downstrokes. The dark artwork background limits assessment. | Similar heavier downstrokes are visible in R1, R5 and R8. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the 'M' cluster and the surname cluster. The surname is tightly compressed. | Comparable spacing in R1–R6. R7 and R8 are more spread out, consistent with larger available space. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The only flourish is the extended terminal crossbar. | No underlines in R1–R6 or R8. R7 has an extended horizontal tail stroke, a minor variation. | Match |
| Placement and size | Placed vertically along the left side of the card front over the name plate and artwork, in blue ink. It is sized to fit the available space. | References are cropped, so orientation on the card is not determinable. Ink is blue/dark blue across all, and sizing is comparable to the Nintendopes refs. | Not assessable |
| Reproduction indicators | Placement varies from what a printed facsimile would typically use. There is no visible halftone or dot pattern in the crop, and the ink appears to sit over the artwork. Resolution is limited. | Not applicable. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition artist auto, the same release as R1–R6, so it likely shares their signing period. R7 (Slop Culture Kids) and R8 (Horrorible Kids Series 9) are other Magic Marker Art releases from roughly the same contemporary period. No meaningful era drift is expected, and the references show a stable abbreviated form: a zig-zag 'M' followed by a compressed 'P…gt' with a terminal crossbar.
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.
