12¢ Black (17), used with two 1¢ Blue, Type IV (9) and horizontal pair of 3¢ Dull Red, Type I (11), all with ample margins to slightly in, matching grid cancels, tied by red "New-York Am. Packet Oct. 15" (1853) circular datestamp on bluish gray cover to Lyon, France, sender's ship-name directive "Pr Str. Baltic"--carried on the Collins Line Baltic, departing New York on October 15, 1853, and arriving at Liverpool on October 26--red British arrival datestamp on back (October 27), red "Etats-Unis Paq. Am. A. Paris 28 Oct 53" arrival datestamp (American Packet service via England), "16" decimes due handstamp for double-rate French inland postage (7.5-15 grams), Paris and Lyon receiving backstamps (October 28 and 29)

Very Fine--covers with 1¢, 3¢ and 12¢ "complete set" 1851 Issue frankings are rare, and the few known postmarked before the 10¢ denomination was issued in April 1855 are extremely rare and desirable.

There were two American Packet services to France available: Collins Line via England--21¢ per half-ounce rate with 8 decimes per 7.5 grams due for British transit and French inland postage; and Havre Line direct to France--20¢ per half-ounce rate with 6 decimes per 7.5 grams due for French inland postage. This was stamped with 20¢ postage for direct service, but marked for the Collins Line Baltic, which carried mail to England rather than direct to France. The 1¢ underpayment was tolerated, and it was accepted as a fully prepaid letter. In France it was weighed at over 7.5 grams and charged double-rate postage (16 decimes).

Ex Jack Dick, J. David Baker, Stanley M. Piller, Tito Giamporcaro and Joseph Hackmey. Illustrated in Bakers' U.S. Classics (p. 216).

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