Slab Contrasted Vale 1 is a very bold, narrow, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Cicero Series', 'Cicero Series 2', and 'Hersh Serif' by Alphabet Agency (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, signage, logotypes, packaging, western, vintage, industrial, assertive, poster-ready, space-saving impact, signage feel, vintage display, sturdy emphasis, blocky, squared, angular, compact, high-impact.
A compact, block-built serif design with squared proportions and bold, slab-like terminals. Strokes are predominantly straight with crisp corners and chamfered joins that create a slightly carved, mechanical feel. Counters are tight and rectangular, and the overall rhythm is dense, with short apertures and sturdy vertical emphasis. Numerals and capitals share a consistent, architectural geometry, while the lowercase maintains the same rigid, constructed tone.
Best suited to display work such as posters, headlines, brand marks, packaging panels, and signage where a compact, high-impact voice is needed. It can also work for short subheads or labels, but will be most legible and distinctive at larger sizes due to its dense counters and tight openings.
The font projects a rugged, old-world confidence—evoking frontier signage, stamped metal, and early industrial printing. Its sharp, chiseled details and dark texture read as forceful and utilitarian, with a clear nod to vintage display traditions.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum presence in limited horizontal space, combining slab-like sturdiness with carved, angular detailing for a vintage sign-painting and industrial-printing character. The consistent block geometry suggests an emphasis on repeatable shapes and a strong, uniform word silhouette.
The tight interior spaces and squared bowls favor larger settings where the angular detailing can be appreciated. The strong horizontal slabs and clipped corners help maintain a uniform, emphatic texture across words, particularly in all-caps lines.