Suggestion for a font (serif with slanted 'e')



I'm designing an Odia font based on old letterpress types from early 1900s. Matching Latin isn't exactly necessary but would be nice to have. Those old printers used a variety of Latin types to match the same Odia type (some even sans serifs) but I believe the one in my example is keeping well with the classic looks. I need an old style serif font ideally OFL licensed so I can incorporate the Latin glyphs in my font (which will be OFL licensed). I think Horey Old style or Revival 555 suit but I can't find a suitable Libre alternative except Goudy Bookletter 1911. Any suggestions appreciated.

Comments

  • Nick Shinn
    Nick Shinn Posts: 2,207
    Many old specimen books are available online.
    Copy, paste, and autotrace.

    Or draw from scratch.
    This new book may help.
  • Thanks Nick for these references!
  • Nasim Ali
    Nasim Ali Posts: 10
    edited October 2022
    Many old specimen books are available online.
    Copy, paste, and autotrace.

    Or draw from scratch.
    This new book may help.

    Thank you! There are three reasons I didn't want to trace them.
    1) The original Odia books used a variety of Latin types mixed with the same Odia type, so faithfulness wasn't necessary.
    2) My target audience doesn't much care for the 'matching' Latin, it's just nice to have.
    3) Plenty of OFL Old style fonts to be re-used.

    I ultimately decided to use Wollstonecraft Romance after editing and slanting the 'e' myself.
  • Nick Shinn
    Nick Shinn Posts: 2,207
    Good choice.