Rowling, J. K.

the dedication Copy. first edition, inscribed by the author to her father on the dedication page. The printed dedication reads: "To Peter Rowling, in memory of Mr Ridley and to Susan Sladden, who helped Harry out of his cupboard." Rowling’s lengthy autograph inscription provides a hint about the inspiration for one of the principal characters in the Harry Potter series. The author has circled the portion of the printed dedication directed towards her father and written, following a pointing arrow, "Dear Dad--If I had said ‘Ronald (Weasley) Ridley, they would have tracked the poor bloke down … but that’s why Ron’s called Ron of course! Happy Father’s Day 2000 and lots of love from your first born J. K. Rowling." Beneath her signature, Rowling has added a line of nine x-kisses and a simple sketch of a hand (labelled Pesticide) reaching after a running figure of a gnome (so labelled).