Slab Unbracketed Atkey 5 is a light, wide, low contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: editorial, books, magazines, quotes, headlines, literary, classic, formal, measured, italic emphasis, editorial tone, text clarity, classic flavor, distinct texture, slab serif, unbracketed, calligraphic, oldstyle, bookish.
This is a slanted slab serif with crisp, square-ended serifs that join the stems cleanly, producing a firm, structured silhouette. Strokes stay relatively even throughout, with only modest modulation, and the italic construction shows a clear forward lean and rhythmic, slightly calligraphic curvature. Proportions run a bit extended horizontally, with generous counters and open apertures; the lowercase forms feel steady and readable, while capitals are refined and slightly narrow-shouldered in their curves. Numerals follow the same restrained, oldstyle-like drawing, keeping the overall color even in text.
Well-suited to editorial typography such as magazine features, book typography, pull quotes, and cultured branding where an italic voice is desired without sacrificing structure. It can also work for short headlines and subheads that benefit from a refined, traditional tone and a distinctive slab-serif texture.
The overall tone is literary and composed—more bookish than flashy—combining a traditional italic voice with the grounded authority of slabs. It reads as thoughtful and editorial, with a subtly classic, cultured feel rather than a modernist or technical one.
The design appears intended to blend the emphasis and flow of an italic with the stability and presence of slab serifs, offering a distinctive alternative to conventional text italics. It aims for readability and polish, delivering a classic editorial mood with a firm, squared finish.
In the sample text, the wide spacing and open interior shapes help maintain clarity at larger sizes, while the squared serifs add a distinct texture that separates it from typical italic romans. The italic angle is noticeable but controlled, keeping lines cohesive without becoming overly expressive.