Serif Normal Selem 9 is a bold, normal width, high contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, magazines, book covers, pull quotes, branding, editorial, classic, dramatic, authoritative, literary, emphasis, editorial tone, classic polish, dramatic contrast, bracketed, wedge serifs, calligraphic, ball terminals, curly tail.
A high-contrast italic serif with pronounced thick–thin modulation and crisp, bracketed wedge-like serifs. The forms lean decisively with a smooth, calligraphic rhythm, showing tapered entry/exit strokes and occasional ball terminals. Uppercase letters are compact and slightly condensed in feel, while the lowercase maintains a steady x-height with lively ascenders/descenders and flowing curves. Numerals are similarly slanted and sculpted, with sharp joins and tapered terminals that keep the color dense and emphatic.
This style performs best in headlines, subheads, pull quotes, and short passages where an expressive italic can carry tone. It also fits literary or editorial branding, book covers, and packaging that benefits from a classic, high-contrast serif presence.
The overall tone is traditional and editorial, combining elegance with force. Its strong contrast and italic movement lend a dramatic, confident voice suited to emphasis and refined statement-making rather than neutrality.
The design appears intended as a conventional text-serif italic with heightened contrast and a confident, display-leaning presence. It prioritizes a polished, traditional voice and strong emphasis, using crisp serifs and calligraphic tapering to create drama and clarity at larger sizes.
Stroke endings frequently resolve into pointed wedges or gently curved terminals, producing a crisp silhouette and a slightly formal texture. The italic angle is consistent across letters and figures, and the spacing appears tuned for display and short text where the rhythmic slant can read clearly.