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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000005133-05-000131.txt : 20051110
<SEC-HEADER>0000005133-05-000131.hdr.sgml : 20051110
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051110160314
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000005133-05-000131
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051108
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051110
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERRIMAN MICHAEL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001211005

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13859
		FILM NUMBER:		051193971

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6305737200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O RC2 CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		1111 WEST 22ND STREET, SUITE 320
		CITY:			OAK BROOK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60523

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>2005-11-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001211005</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MERRIMAN MICHAEL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE AMERICAN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CLEVELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44144</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>26.26</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>95000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-11-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-11-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>95000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>95000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options to purchase 17,500 Class A common shares vest one year from date of grant;
Options to purchase 17,500 Class A common shares vest two years from date of grant;
Options to purchase 60,000 Class A common shares vest 48 months from date of grant  (the &quot;Vesting Date&quot;); provided, that if the Class A common shares of the issuer close at a price at or above:  (i)  $35 per share on any day prior to the Vesting Date, options to purchase 10,000 Class A common shares vest immediately; (ii) $40 per share on any day prior to the Vesting Date, options to purchase 10,000 Class A common shares vest immediately; (iii) $45 per share on any day prior to the Vesting Date, options to purchase 20,000 Class A common shares vest immediately; and (iv) $50 per share on any day prior to the Vesting Date, options to purchase 20,000 Class A common shares vest immediately.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Christopher W. Haffke, Power of Attorney  For: Michael J. Merriman, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-11-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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