Serif Normal Oldav 8 is a bold, narrow, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, editorial, book text, magazine, posters, vintage, authoritative, classic, formal, compact setting, classic tone, strong hierarchy, print readability, bracketed, tapered, vertical stress, high-waisted, compact.
A compact serif with sturdy vertical stems and gently tapered joins, showing clear bracketed serifs and a traditional, slightly condensed proportion. Curves are controlled and somewhat tight, with moderate contrast between main strokes and hairlines, and a generally vertical stress. The rhythm is upright and even, with crisp terminals and a strong baseline presence; counters are relatively narrow, contributing to a dense, efficient texture in paragraphs. Numerals and capitals maintain the same firm, classical structure, producing a consistent, print-oriented silhouette.
Best suited to editorial typography where a compact serif is useful for fitting more characters per line while maintaining a traditional look. It works well for headlines, subheads, and pull quotes, and can also serve in book or magazine text where a darker, more assertive color is desired. The strong, conventional shapes make it appropriate for formal communications and print-forward layouts.
The overall tone feels traditional and authoritative, with a distinctly old-style, print-era confidence. Its compact build and strong serifs suggest seriousness and stability, while the moderate contrast keeps it readable and workmanlike rather than delicate. The result is a classic, slightly vintage voice suited to formal and editorial settings.
The design appears intended to provide a conventional serif with a compact footprint and strong presence, balancing traditional forms with a denser texture for impactful setting. Its consistent construction suggests a focus on dependable readability and classic typographic tone across both display and text sizes.
In the sample text, the type forms a dark, continuous color with minimal sparkle, emphasizing impact and hierarchy. The condensed widths and tallish capitals make it particularly assertive in headlines, while the restrained detailing keeps it within conventional serif expectations.