Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #13a
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 reading roughly 'Mk Pgt'. The first initial group is compact and angular. The surname group is longer, led by a large P. | All eight references show the same abbreviated two-group structure: angular first-name group, then a P-led surname abbreviation ending in a t-like form. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Signed along the left border, rotated relative to the card. Within the signature the strong right slant is consistent and the baseline is fairly level, rising slightly into the P. | Strong right-forward slant and level-to-rising baseline in R1, R2, R6, R7 and R8. | Match |
| Letter construction – first initial | Rapid angular zigzag forming an N/M-like initial, with a tall leading upstroke and a small k/h-like terminal. | Same zigzag initial with tall leading upstroke and small k/h terminal in R1–R8. It is especially clear in R1, R5 and R7. | Match |
| Letter construction – surname | Tall P stem with a top bowl sweeping far right, followed by a reduced g/t form and a crossbar-like terminal. | Long P stem with an extended rightward top loop and a reduced 'gt' ending with crossing stroke. Seen in R1, R2, R4, R6, R7 and R8. R5 shows only the P start. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | Each group is written in one continuous movement. There is a single lift between the first-name group and the P. | Same lift pattern between groups, with continuous writing inside each group, in R1, R2, R7 and R8. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts appear tapered rather than blunt. The final stroke flicks off to the right. | Tapered entries and flicked right-hand terminals in R1, R6, R7 and R8. These are most visible in the paint-pen examples. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | At this resolution the strokes look fluid and confident, with no visible tremor or hesitation. | Fast, fluid execution throughout the references. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Some variation in line weight between downstrokes and connecting strokes. Fine detail is limited by image resolution. | Variable pressure visible in the marker examples (R2, R3). It is masked by broad paint pen in R4 and R6–R8. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Clear gap between the first-name group and the P. The surname group is compressed. | Similar inter-group gap and compressed surname in R1, R2, R7 and R8. | Match |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline or paraph. The terminal crossbar extends rightward. | No underline in any reference. An extended terminal crossbar is common (R4, R7, R8). | Match |
| Placement and size | Dark blue/black marker placed vertically along the left side of the artwork, partly over the image. Size is proportionate to the card. | Card references (R2, R3) are signed over the artwork in dark marker. Funko references use paint pen on the window. Placement varies by item, which is normal for an artist. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2021 Nintendopes sticker produced under the artist's own imprint (copyright line: Mark Pingitore – Magic Marker Art, LLC), so the signature likely dates from 2021 or later. The references span roughly 2015 (GPK Series 1 card autos, R2 and R5) through the 2020s (Funko Pop boxes, R4 and R6–R8). Across that period the artist's abbreviated 'Mk Pgt'-style signature looks stable. Differences between references mainly reflect surface (glossy card vs. plastic window), pen (fine marker vs. broad paint pen) and signing speed.
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.
