Gwen Frostic (1906-2001) born as Sara Gwendolen Frostic was an American artist, entrepreneur, author, and Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame inductee.  A lifelong resident of Michigan, Frostic is known for her naturalist, “Linocut” block print artwork, created using “Original Heidelberg Platten presses.” Despite physical difficulties, including a limp and weak hands, left after she suffered a high fever as a child, she showed an early interest and aptitude for art.  After high school, she went on to study at Eastern Michigan, where she earned a teaching certificate. In 1926, she transferred to Western Michigan University in 1926 where, in an art class, she carved her first linoleum block artwork. She did not finish her degree, but the School of Art is named for her. 

   In 1927 Frostic set up a metals studio in the family home and started a business.  When the supplies of metal began to dry up due to World War II, Frostic turned to print making, using the Linocut technique of carving linoleum blocks. After the war, she moved to “Benzonia” and started her own production printing company, known as Presscraft Papers, by turning her linoleum block carvings into stationary goods and prints through the use of Heidelberg printing presses.  Her business grew and prospered steadily over the years.  She was recognized as a successful entrepreneur at a time when few women were celebrated for this. Gwen Frostic remained actively involved creating art and working her business well into her nineties until her death in 2001, a day before her 95th birthday.  

   Many of her prints are in the collection of the “Detroit Institute of Arts”, and one of her prints, “a snail leaving a trail”, is on this “Presscraft Post Card” which has some discoloration both front and back but is in good condition, overall with clean edges and corners.  The print, an “original block print by Gwen Frostic” is clean and clear as is the reverse.