It could be, but again to be sure, I would have to see the note in hand. It could have been caused by a scrap peice paper on the sheet with this note. However, the piece of scrap would have had to stay on the sheet for the entire trip, for it looks like the note is missing all the layers or applications of ink in the affected area. What would be really neat would be to have the scrap pieces which would have the missing print on.
Tom