Origin unclear. A bold, low-contrast sans-serif issued no later than 1856 in a caps-only configuration. Lowercase was added no later than 1870. Characteristic glyphs include ‘G’ without bar, ‘t’ and ‘a’ with long flat tails, ‘R’ with bowed leg (though it is straight in some sizes), and polygonal ‘&’.

BB&S and Conner’s Gothic No. 5 and Dickinson’s Gothic No. 6 are very similar, if not the same.