CUREAU DE LA CHAMBRE Marin. Traité de la connoissance des animaux, où tout ce qui esté dict pour & contre le raisonnement des bestes est examiné. Paris, Pierre Rocolet, 1647 [1648]; in-4, 4 ff, 30 pp, 5 ff, 390 pp (for 388, pagination jump between pages 367 and 370), contemporary binding in granite calf, gilt fillets on covers, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, speckled edges, green chagrin folder and slipcase. Rare and important first edition. Contrary to Descartes' "animal-machine" thesis, Cureau de la Chambre (philosopher and physician to Louis XIV) sees in animal reasoning a form of pure intelligence, free from the verbiage of consciousness. The title page was mistakenly dated 1647. The privilege is dated May 4, 1648 and, on all the copies described, the date has been modified in pen by adding an I to MDCXVII. A precious copy presented to René Descartes, with a handwritten ex-dono from the author: "Pour Monsieur Descartes, par son très humble serviteur, La Chambre". The extraordinary relevance of this provenance cannot be overstated. We know of only one other volume in Descartes' library, incomplete (Pétrarque, volume II only, Descartes' signature on the title. Bibliothèque de Mme C., Courvoisier expert, May 29, 2015, no. 53). The copy appeared in the collection of Dr. Lucien-Graux, VIe partie, 1958, n° 147. It was described with a library stamp on the title page. A restoration in the blank of the title has removed the mark. The folder and slipcase were added by Dr. Lucien-Graux. - A very good copy in contemporary binding. Old restoration to the spines.