Mauritius Stamp – "Diagonal Line At Flagstaff Base" Flaw?

I have noticed a distinct diagonal line running to the left from the base of the flagstaff on the highest tower.

I understand that this stamp is quite common, but this particular feature caught my attention. Could this be the known "diagonal line at flagstaff base" flaw/variety, or is it simply a printing irregularity or accidental mark?

I would be grateful for any information about this variety, including whether it is constant, associated with a specific plate position, or listed in any specialised catalogue.

I am attaching a photo of my copy for reference.

Thank you in advance for any help.

The diagonal line at turret flaw is on the far left side of the castle, in the narrow space between the castle and the left side of the frame. I don't see a diagonal line at base of flagstaff in SG Commonwealth.


Yours is closer to the Short-Extra-Flagstaff from Plate "2" R. 2/1, as listed by SG, generally, but not for Mauritius. (My guess is that the actual extra flagstaff is shorter, straighter, and overall "crisper" than your example.)


Edited for clarity in referencing flaws.

I hesitate to comment, because the close-up image is too pixelated to be useful in deciding whether it's a plate flaw or just dirt. Can you do higher resolution?

Does anyone have an image of an actual diagonal line at base of flagstaff flaw? I'm not finding one. The OP image just looks "smudgy."

Not that this forecloses any possibilities, but SG only lists a dot by flagstaff flaw for this particular value (Mauritius 1R). Five Reigns doesn't list any Mauritius pre-KGVI, and I didn't spot anything in Robson Lowe.

This is a highly studied and collected omnibus series, so new constant flaws seem unlikely. Highly unlikely.

I don't have the diagonal flaw in my stamp, but I do have an inking anomaly in the left border lines, as shown below on this hinged stamp.

Here are the areas: