At various moments in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, typographers have cast an eye back to Victorian styles – not so much in a rejection of Modernism as a whole, but perhaps in response to the sterile and banal way it is often applied. Many serif faces of the late 1800s exhibit characteristics that run counter to the regularity and soberness of modern type, yet depart unabashedly from traditional calligraphic ideals. Ronaldson (MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan, 1884), Caxton Old Style (Marder, Luse & Co, 1889), and West Old Style (Barnhart Brothers & Spindler, 1892) exemplify a string of American releases from that period, each with an “old style” structure but exaggerated elements, such as long, sharp terminal serifs, thin hairlines, and truncated descenders.

Saol is an interpretation of this genre, drawn with present-day needs in mind. While the proportions and finish are reconsidered for contemporary use, the eccentric spirit of its sources remains. Diagonal strokes cross conventional boundaries (A, M, W, k, y), shoulders are unusually taut (h, n, u), and razor-edge details abound (E, G, R, T, t). Saol’s italic is particularly flamboyant, looping and undulating at a fairly deep slant. The italics are noticeably narrower than the romans, but comparable in color, allowing for harmonious mixing within a line.

Saol also offers modern conveniences that the 19th-century families did not: a wide range of weights, broad language support, and a set of opulent swash italic caps. Yet, borrowing wisdom from the size-specific reality of metal type, Saol comes in three optical sizes: While Saol Display features delicate hairlines for maximum contrast, Saol Standard is intended for medium size use. Saol Text is optimized for smaller sizes and has modest contrast. With this comprehensive palette, the Saol family is designed for creating detailed typographic hierarchies, from striking headlines to pleasantly readable body copy. It lends itself to be used in magazines and other publications seeking a lavish flair, or a voice that is confidently enigmatic. Lastly, a Monospaced style adds one more option for curious typography, inviting readers to ponder the origin of this time-traveling type.

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