Autograph Authentication Report
2021 Nintendopes Stickers Open Edition - Artist Mark Pingitore Auto · #8a
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(g)t' form. A tall angular M-k cluster, a looped P, a small descending middle element, and a tall t with a long crossbar. | The same abbreviated 'Mk Pgt' construction appears in R1–R5, R7 and R8. R6 shows the same elements written vertically. | Match |
| Slant and baseline | Strong rightward slant on the M-k uprights. The baseline rises slightly toward the t, and the signature is written roughly vertically along the card's left edge. | R1–R3, R7 and R8 show the same forward slant with a slightly rising baseline. R6 shows the same sideways, vertical placement on a card. | Match |
| Letter construction | M is formed with a quick up-down zigzag that runs into a k with a short loop and kick. The P has a large overhead bowl. The t is a tall upright with a long sweeping cross. | The M-k zigzag with a looped k matches R2, R7 and R8. The P with a wide top bowl matches R1–R3. The tall t with an extended cross matches R1, R2 and R7. | Match |
| Connecting strokes | M and k are written in one continuous movement. There is a lift before the P, and the P-to-t letters are partly connected. | The same pattern appears in R1, R2, R7 and R8: M-k continuous, a gap, then P and t. | Match |
| Starting and ending strokes | The M starts with a low entry stroke. The t crossbar ends in a tapered flick to the right. No blunt ends are visible at this resolution. | R1, R2 and R7 show the same low entry and tapered crossbar exit. R4 and R8 taper similarly. | Match |
| Line quality and speed | Strokes appear fluid and confident, with tapering and no visible tremor or hesitation. The image resolution is limited. | All references show fast, rapid strokes. | Match |
| Pen pressure pattern | Heavier on the downstrokes of the M and the t upright, lighter on connectors. Some ink density variation is visible in the blue. | There is similar downstroke emphasis in R4, R5 and R8. The paint-marker references R1–R3 and R7 show less pressure variation, as expected for that pen type. | Natural variation |
| Spacing | The signature is compact, with a moderate gap between the k and the P. | Comparable gaps appear in R4, R5 and R8. The Funko Pop references are spaced more widely because they were signed larger. | Natural variation |
| Flourishes and underlines | No underline. The extended t crossbar serves as the terminal flourish. | No underlines in any reference. The extended t cross is common to them. | Match |
| Placement and size | Small blue signature placed vertically over the artwork at the left edge, beside the figure's arm. | R6 shows comparable vertical blue placement on a small card. The Funko Pop signatures are larger because the surface is bigger. | Natural variation |
Examiner notes
Ours is on a 2021 Nintendopes sticker published by the artist's own Magic Marker Art, LLC, so it was likely signed around 2021 or later. The references span about 2015 (R5, R8 on GPK 2015 Series 1) to the 2020s (R1–R3, R7 Funko Pop paint-marker signatures; R4 8x10; R6 Horrorible Kids card). The abbreviated 'Mk Pgt' form appears stable across this whole span, so era does not explain away any feature. Surface and pen differences (yellow paint marker on plastic windows, black and blue Sharpie on cards) account for the line-width and texture 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.
