Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #10b
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 P' plus a 't'-type terminal ('Mk Pt'). The angular M/k cluster is compact, the P is taller, and a long crossbar extends right. | R1-R6 show the same abbreviated 'Mk Pt' structure: compact M/k, prominent P, long right-running terminal stroke. R7 and R8 show the same structure written vertically. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong right slant along the writing axis. Written vertically along the card's left edge, so the baseline runs parallel to the edge. | Horizontal examples (R1-R6) show the same pronounced right slant. R7 and R8 are vertical along the edge with comparable slant relative to their axis. | Match |
| Letter construction (M/k) | M formed as a fast zigzag of sharp peaks running into a small looped or compressed k. | R1, R3, R5 and R6 show the same zigzag M with a compressed k. R2 and R4 are slightly looser and more rounded ('Mh'-like) on Funko acetate. | Natural variation |
| Letter construction (P and terminal) | P has a tall downstroke and an open bowl, followed by a small 't'-like form with a long horizontal crossbar. | Same P with a tall stem, a bowl returning to the stem, and an extended crossbar finish in R1, R3, R5 and R6. R8 shows the same sequence vertically. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | Pen lift between the M/k group and the P. The P connects into the terminal t-form. | Same two-unit grouping in all references, with a lift between the first-name initial cluster and the surname. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | Tapered entry on the M. Flicked, tapered exit on the long crossbar. | Tapered entries and long flicked exits throughout, most visible in R5 and R6. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Fluid and rapid. Ink density varies with stroke direction. No visible tremor or hesitation at this resolution. | Rapid, gestural line quality in all references, consistent with a high-volume artist signature. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on the downstrokes of the M and P, lighter on the connecting and terminal strokes. | Similar heavy-downstroke, light-finish pattern, clearest in R5 (black marker on card). | Match |
| Spacing | Tight M/k cluster with a modest gap before the P. | Same spacing rhythm in R1-R6. R4 is somewhat wider. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended terminal crossbar serves as the flourish. | No underlines. The extended crossbar flourish is present throughout. | Match |
| Placement and size | Vertical along the left border over the artwork, moderate size, green/teal marker. | R8 (same Nintendopes set, Crown-slabbed) and R7 (Horrible Kids card) are both signed vertically along the edge. The Funko references are larger and horizontal, as the box surface dictates. | Match |
| Ink and medium | Green/teal marker that appears to sit on the surface, with natural density variation. | Ink colours vary across references (gold paint pen, black, blue). The artist evidently uses various pens. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Our card is a 2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition artist auto, so it was likely signed around 2021 or later. Every reference also appears to come from the early-to-mid 2020s: R1-R4 and R6 are gold paint pen on Funko Pop boxes, R5 and R7 are black marker on Horrible Kids cards, and R8 is blue ink on the same Nintendopes set. No career-era gap needs explaining. The visible differences track surface and pen (paint pen on glossy acetate versus marker on card stock) and orientation (vertical versus horizontal).
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.
