Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #14b
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 'Mk Pyt'-type form. A large angular M/k group on the left, then a P with a looped bowl, then a compressed 'yt' ending in a long t-crossbar. Signed vertically along the left edge of the card. | R1–R6 show the same two-group abbreviation: angular M plus h/k, then P plus 'yt' with an extended crossbar. R8, from the same set, shows the same form signed vertically on the left edge. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong right slant with a slightly rising baseline relative to the writing direction. | R1, R2, R4, R5 and R6 show a similar right slant and rising baseline. R3 and R7 are slightly flatter. | Match |
| Letter construction | M begins with a long leftward lead-in and has pointed apexes. The h/k has a tall stem and a looped shoulder. The P has a tall stem and an open, rounded bowl. The 'yt' is compressed and the t-cross is extended. | The same construction appears in R1, R2, R4 and R6 (P bowl, long t-bar) and in R5 and R3 (compact 'Mk'). R8 shows the same P bowl and t-bar structure. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | M connects into the h/k. There is a pen lift before the P. The P connects into the 'yt' with a fluid joining stroke. | R1–R6 and R8 show the same lift between the first-name and surname groups, with connected strokes inside each group. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | The M lead-in tapers. The t-crossbar ends in a flicked, tapered terminal. | References show tapered lead-ins and a flicked t-bar finish, most clearly in R2, R5 and R6. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes look fluid and confident, with tapered entries and exits. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | The references show similarly rapid execution. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Ink density varies, heavier on downstrokes and lighter on hairline connectors. This is consistent with a felt-tip marker. | R5 and R8 show similar marker pressure variation. The paint-pen references (R1, R2, R4, R6) are more uniform, which is expected for that medium. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Compact. There is a modest gap between the first-name and surname groups. | R5 and R3 are similarly compact. The Funko examples are wider because of the larger surface and paint pen. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended t-crossbar is the only flourish. | None of the references show an underline. All show the extended t-bar. | Match |
| Placement and size | Vertical, along the left margin over the green background, moderate size, in blue/teal ink. | R8, from the same Nintendopes issue, is signed vertically along the left edge in blue ink at comparable size. | Match |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2021 Nintendopes open-edition sticker, so the signature dates to roughly 2021 or later. The references fall in a similar period: R3 is on a 2015 GPK card, R7 on a Horrible Kids card, R1, R2, R4 and R6 on Funko Pops (circa 2020s), R5 on an 8x10, and R8 on a 2021 Nintendopes sticker from the same set. Pingitore's abbreviated 'M-h/k P-y-t' form looks stable across these items, so no era conflict is evident.
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.
