Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #29b
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 form: an angular zigzag 'M', a gap, then a 'P' with a compact following cluster and a long horizontal tail. The M and P are roughly equal in height. | R1-R7 all show the same abbreviated M + P-cluster + tail form with similar proportions. R1 is the closest overall match. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Mild rightward slant on a fairly level baseline (read in the signing orientation; on the card it runs bottom-to-top along the left edge). | R1, R2, R4 and R5 show a level baseline with a mild right slant. R3 and R7 rise slightly. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | The 'M' is a sharp up-down-up zigzag with a pointed first peak, ending in a short rising hook. The 'P' is a tall stem with a loop, then a small angular form. | Same M zigzag and P stem-and-loop construction in R1, R2, R4 and R6. R3 and R7 are looser, faster versions. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | Pen lift between M and P. The P connects into the trailing cluster without a lift. | The M/P lift and the connected P-cluster are consistent across R1-R8. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a quick entry on the M. Ends in a long, tapering horizontal tail extending well right. | R1 has the same long tapering horizontal tail. R2, R4, R5 and R6 end with shorter tails or a crossbar flick. The length varies with available space. | Natural variation |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with tapered terminals. No tremor or hesitation is visible at this resolution. | R1-R7 all show fast, fluid execution. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on the downstrokes of the M and the P stem, lighter on the tail. Ink density varies visibly. | Similar heavy downstrokes and a lighter exit in R1, R2 and R5. | Match |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the M and the P group, with a compact cluster after the P. | Comparable spacing in R1, R2, R4 and R6. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended tail serves as the only flourish. | No underlines in the references. A tail or crossbar flick is present in most. | Match |
| Placement and size | Blue ink, written vertically along the left border over the artwork, medium size. | Placement varies across references (horizontal, over the artwork, various colors: blue in R1, R3 and R7; black in R2, R5 and R6; green-black in R4). Artist signatures on these cards are placed freehand. | Natural variation |
| Reproduction indicators | No halftone or dot pattern is visible. The ink appears to sit on top of the printed art. Density is non-uniform and the stroke ends taper. | Not applicable. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Ours is on a 2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition card (No. 29b), so it is most likely a 2021-2022 artist signing. R2-R7 come from the same Nintendopes open edition and are the same era. R1 (Horrorible Kids Series 9) and R8 (Grem LYNN print) are undated but appear to be the same general period of Pingitore's artist-card signings. No era-driven change is expected or observed.
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.
