Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #15b
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 | Two-part abbreviated signature: a compact zigzag 'M' with a looped 'l'-like stroke, a gap, then a 'P' whose bowl flows into a compressed 'gt' and ends in a long horizontal crossbar. The first initial group is slightly shorter than the surname group. | Every reference shows the same two-group structure: zigzag M-group, gap, then P-group ending in a crossbar (clearest in R1, R7, R8). Relative proportions are the same. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong forward slant on the M zigzag. The baseline rises slightly left to right relative to the writing direction (the card was signed rotated). | R1, R5, R7 and R8 show the same forward-slanted M peaks and a gently rising baseline. R4 and R6 are slightly more upright, within normal range. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction | M is made as a fast angular zigzag, followed by a narrow upward loop. P has a tall stem with a rounded bowl looping back into a small 'g'-like descender and a 't' crossed by the terminal stroke. | Same M zigzag plus loop in R1, R3, R7 and R8. The P stem-and-bowl and the descending 'g' loop match R1, R5 and R8. R4 shows a more truncated P, which is ordinary abbreviation variance. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | M and loop are written continuously. There is a pen lift between the first-name group and the P. P to g to t is mostly connected, with the crossbar as the final gesture. | References show the same lift between the two groups and the same connected surname group. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts with a short lead-in at the base of the M. Ends with an extended horizontal crossbar that tapers off. | R1, R7 and R8 show the same lead-in and the same long tapering terminal crossbar. R2 and R6 show a shorter crossbar. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident marker lines with tapered terminals. Some light ink skipping on the glossy stock. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | References show similar rapid marker execution with skipping on glossy sticker surfaces (R6, R7). | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier ink at the turns of the zigzag and the P bowl, lighter at the tapered ends. The density is not uniform. | Comparable pressure variation is visible in R1, R7 and R8. | Match |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the M-group and the P-group. The surname group is compressed. | Same spacing habit across the references. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The terminal crossbar acts as the only flourish. | None of the references uses an underline. The terminal crossbar flourish is consistent throughout. | Match |
| Placement and size | Signed vertically along the left side of the card front, over the light-blue background near the character. Large relative to the card. Not in a pre-printed signature area. | The reference crops are tightly cropped, so placement on the card cannot be compared. Size relative to the stock appears similar. | Not assessable |
Examiner notes
Our item is a 2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition card (No. 15b), signed on-card in blue marker, written vertically along the left edge of the artwork. Six references (R2–R8) come from the same Nintendopes Open Edition artist-auto run, so they are the same era, product and probably the same signing method. R1 (Horrorible Kids Series 9) is a different Magic Marker Art product, likely close in time. No meaningful career-drift question arises. Ink colour (blue vs black) and background colour differ across references, which reflects pen choice and sticker art, not authorship.
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.
