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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NcXHTOfYvlcD4GmkzgNt4p9kddMCvBDjNeaAqsnWMZP9pKniKV0xFpCKTpcmZ+HG
 SlqIcEMz1oFA/QXBFKF5Kg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000005133-03-000011.txt : 20030708
<SEC-HEADER>0000005133-03-000011.hdr.sgml : 20030708
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030708104842
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000005133-03-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030707
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030708

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SPIRA JAMES C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203578

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13859
		FILM NUMBER:		03777942

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5251 DTC PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		STE 1400
		CITY:			GREENWOOD VILLAGE
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80111

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000005133
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	GREETING CARDS [2771]
		IRS NUMBER:				340065325
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE AMERICAN ROAD
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44144
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2162527300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE AMERICAN ROAD
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44144
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-07</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000005133</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203578</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SPIRA JAMES C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Shares</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-07</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>17500</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>20</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>162500</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Phyllis Alden, Power of Attorney for JAMES C. SPIRA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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