It comes from Cory Combs, the Executive Director of the Stanford Jazz Workshop, who is in the Bay Area with me. [Note 1]

This autograph was obtained by Mr. Combs at JK Rowling's book signing at Cover to Cover bookstore in San Francisco in 1999. Mr. Combs was an employee at the bookstore at the time and personally handed the book to Rowling for signature, which he then carefully kept as a personal collection. This is the first edition of the original Harry Potter book, making it even more precious.

Here is Mr. Combs' statement:

In October 1999, I worked as a bookseller at Cover to Cover books in San Francisco, where we hosted JK Rowling for her only San Francisco signing appearance during her promotional tour for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (See screenshots of the event coverage from Entertainment Weekly, and the local newspaper, the Noe Valley Voice.)

I was a managing staff member for the event, and handed her this book to sign personally. It has been in my possession, vacuum-sealed in a safe since the signing, only being opened to take the photos for this sale. It hasn't been handled, read, or in direct sunlight ever.

Personal Appreciation

JK Rowling's autograph is arguably the most sought-after and most forged autograph in the world. I am honored to have received this precious autograph from Mr. Combs.

References

Note 1: Cory Combs's information (from Stanford's official website)