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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DsVjN5AMD5HL9fqIKSFKZEH1/BlewcUBa8THAlJWsoR49Sb1IVG9+8dEAnsfUONx
 RGocAjGrB+QGHqbePM/wXg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000005133-04-000159.txt : 20040908
<SEC-HEADER>0000005133-04-000159.hdr.sgml : 20040908
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040908145720
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000005133-04-000159
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040903
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040908
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040908

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARDIS STEPHEN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001018624
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13859
		FILM NUMBER:		041020518

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O APOGENT TECHNOLOGIES
		STREET 2:		30 PENHALLOW STREET
		CITY:			PORTSMOUTH
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03801-3816
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6034336131

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>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001018624</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARDIS STEPHEN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>EATON CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>EATON CENTER</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CLEVELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44114</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>744</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>23.18</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12405</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Deferred Comp.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1022</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Catherine M. Kilbane, Power of Attorney  For: STEPHEN R. HARDIS</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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