cover 12c Black (17), vertical pair (placed horizontally), margins to cut in, top stamp tiny repair, tied by "Towsontown, Md. Jul 30" c.d.s. on very fresh 1857 cover to France, forwarded to Switzerland, red "New Paid York 6 Aug 1" exchange h.s., red "3" h.s. credit deleted by red grid, French transit and Paris arrival pmk. on front, cover forwarded to Geneva, "John Munroe & Co. Paris" forwarding agent's h.s. on reverse, Swiss "35cs" due h.s., Paris and Geneva backstamps, carried by the Collins Line packet Atlantic, this cover represents a 9c overpayment of the 15c rate to France, wax seal excised from reverse, tiny stamp repair does not detract from the exceptional overall appearance of this cover, otherwise fine appearing, scarce photo