Gilbert & Ellice Islands Postage Due Error?

I was putting the Gilbert & Ellice islands stamps into the album, and noticed something was not right with this postage due....



1940 Postage Due Scott J1 1p emerald (SG D1 1d emerald-green)

The "E" of "Ellice" is missing the central horizontal bar. Stanley Gibbons (2012 Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970 catalogue) makes no mention of any plate flaws for this stamp.

Probable printing flaw or ?

That looks like a very nice plate flaw - especially if it is constant. I have never heard of it, but will run it by my friends at the Pacific Islands Study Circle and the Kiribati and Tuvalu Philatelic Society.

Thanks Bee See

I had a hunch you would be able to help.