Serif Normal Esso 6 is a regular weight, normal width, very high contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: editorial, magazines, book titling, pull quotes, branding, elegant, refined, fashion, literary, expressive italic, luxury tone, editorial emphasis, classic refinement, calligraphic, bracketed, crisp, high-waisted, lively.
A high-contrast italic serif with sharp, tapered serifs and a distinctly calligraphic stroke rhythm. The letterforms show strong thick–thin modulation, narrow hairlines, and angled stress that gives the text a forward, energetic flow. Terminals are often pointed or subtly hooked, with bracketed joins and crisp wedge-like feet that keep the silhouettes clean at display sizes. Proportions feel slightly high-waisted with a moderate x-height; numerals and caps carry the same sculpted contrast and italic slant for a consistent page color.
Best suited to editorial design, magazine headlines, pull quotes, and refined branding where an italic voice is desired as a primary stylistic cue. It also works well for book jackets and titling, especially where high contrast can be used to create a luxurious, high-end look.
The overall tone is polished and expressive, evoking classic book typography and contemporary fashion/editorial styling at the same time. It feels sophisticated and dramatic without becoming ornamental, lending a sense of cultivated authority and flair.
The design appears intended to provide a formal italic with strong calligraphic influence—delivering pronounced contrast, crisp detailing, and an elegant forward slant for expressive typography in display and editorial contexts.
In running text the tight hairlines and sharp joins create a sparkling texture, while the italic angle and varied character widths add movement and a lively rhythm. Curved letters show pronounced swelling on main strokes, and several lowercase forms include gently sweeping entry/exit strokes that enhance the handwritten impression.