Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #11b
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 monogram: an angular zigzag 'M' with a small 'k/h', a gap, then a large looped 'P' running into a compressed 'g/t' with a long crossbar. The first name block is roughly equal in width to the surname block. | R6–R8 show the same two-block monogram on the same card stock. R1–R5 show the same structure, larger and in paint pen. R3 matches as well. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong right slant on the M strokes. The baseline rises slightly toward the end. It was written along the card's long left edge, so it reads vertically on the card. | R6–R8 show the same vertical placement and the same rising slant. R1, R2 and R5 also show a rising baseline into the 't' crossbar. | Match |
| Letter construction | 'M' is made of sharp descending and ascending zigzag strokes with no rounded humps. 'P' has a tall stem and an open bowl looping right. The terminal 't' is formed by a long sweeping crossbar. | R2, R5, R7 and R8 show the same zigzag M, looped P and long t-cross. R1 and R4 show the same P bowl, drawn more loosely. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | M connects to k in one movement. There is a pen lift before P. P connects into the g/t. | There is the same lift between the name blocks in all references, and the same continuous M–k and P–t runs. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Starts are tapered or flicked. The ending crossbar tapers out. No blunt starts or stops are visible at this resolution. | R6–R8 show tapered entries and exits. The paint-pen references show the same flicked crossbar finish. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid, confident strokes with no visible tremor or hesitation. Ink density varies along the strokes, consistent with fast writing. | R6–R8 show the same speed and fluency. The web references show fast paint-pen strokes. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on the downstrokes of M and the P stem, lighter on connectors and the crossbar. | R7 and R8 show a similar pressure pattern. It cannot be judged on the paint-pen references. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | Moderate gap between the M/k block and the P/t block. | Gaps are similar. R7 is slightly more compressed, R2 and R5 more spread, which is natural variation by surface and size. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended crossbar serves as the only flourish. | None of the references has an underline. All end with an extended crossbar. | Match |
| Placement and size | Blue ink, vertical along the left border over the teal background, sized to the border area. | R6–R8 use the same blue ink and the same vertical left-edge placement on the same set. Some fixed placement is normal for artist-signed sticker runs. | Match |
Examiner notes
Ours is on a 2021 Nintendopes sticker, an artist-issued set, so it was likely signed around 2021 or later. R6–R8 are from the same set and close slab serials (000035428–35432 vs. ours 000035414), so they are effectively the same era and likely the same signing session. R1, R2, R4 and R5 (Funko Pops in yellow paint pen) are probably c. 2019–2022. R3 (2015 GPK Series 1) is the earliest. The signature's form is stable across all of them, a fast abbreviated 'MkPgt' type monogram, so era is not a factor in the differences.
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.
