Frederic Prokosch's The Seven Who Fled is an atmospheric novel of adventure and psychological tension, following seven Europeans whose journeys converge amid the remote landscapes of Central Asia as they attempt to escape across an increasingly hostile terrain. Combining travel, exoticism and introspective fiction, the novel further established Prokosch's reputation for vividly imagined narratives set in distant and often forbidding places, and was awarded the Harper Prize Novel award for 1937-38. This first edition has particularly appealing literary provenance, coming from the personal library of the novelist Hugh Walpole (1884-1941) at Brackenburn, his Lake District home, and bearing his distinctive gilt monogram bookplate. The association is strengthened by the dustwrapper itself, which prominently quotes Walpole's enthusiastic contemporary praise for Prokosch's earlier novel, The Asiatics. Of particular interest is an autograph letter from the publisher Jamie (Hamish) Hamilton (1900-1988), written on Hamish Hamilton Ltd headed paper and addressed to Hugh Walpole. Hamilton thanks Walpole for a recent evening together, wishing that he “had had more time to examine your treasures”, asks if he might do so on another occasion, and reminds him of their proposed visit to the Crime Museum. He concludes “Herewith Prokosch. Aff.” and signs simply “Jamie”, indicating that this copy of The Seven Who Fled was sent personally by Hamilton to Walpole.   Oct 13 Dear Hugh, That was an Evening. Thank you indeed. I only wish that I had had more time to examine your treasures. Perhaps you'll let me one day. And don't forget our date for the Crime Museum. Herewith Prpkosch. Aff. Jamie (Signature) The Seven Who Fled, by Frederic Prokosch. Published by Harper & Brothers Publishers, New York and London, 1937. First edition. Manufactured by "The Haddon Craftsmen". A good cloth hardback with printed gilt title label to spine. Covers with some light wear and mottled spots and marks. With its original dustjacket - not price-clipped. The jacket with some discoloration - particularly at folds and spine. Some nibbles to extremities and a small hole in the centre of the spine. On the front is a "Harper Prize Novel, 1937-38 metallic rosette onlay. The jacket now housed in clear, protective, removable plastic. The bookplate of Hugh Walpole shows that this came from his personal library at Brackenburn, his Lake District home. The bookplate is a burgundy leather-style paper lozenge with gilt monogram and is found on the inside front cover.  The book has pictorial endpapers, with some small worn areas. Text pages are clean and bright with some light age-toning. With rough-cut vertical edge , as issued. Text in English. 477pp + (1) printing information + (3) Harper Prize Novel Contest details. Weight approximately 676g. Dimensions: Approximately 211mm high x 147mm wide x 39mm deep.