UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
American Greetings Corporation
(Name of Issuer)
Class A Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
026375105
(CUSIP Number)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [ ]. (A fee
is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7).
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities,
and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
PAGE 1 OF 4 PAGES
CUSIP No. 026375105
1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
First Pacific Advisors, Inc.
04-3118452
2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(A) [ ]
N/A (B) [ ]
3) SEC USE ONLY
4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Massachusetts
(5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
NUMBER OF
SHARES (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 1,384,900
OWNED BY EACH
REPORTING (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH -0-
(8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
3,333,200
9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
3,333,200
10) CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
N/A
11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.3
12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IA
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
PAGE 2 OF 4 PAGES
ITEM 1(a) NAME OF ISSUER.
American Greetings Corporation
ITEM 1(b) ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
One American Road, Cleveland, OH 44144
ITEM 2(a) NAME OF PERSON FILING.
First Pacific Advisors, Inc.
ITEM 2(b) ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE, OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE.
11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90064
ITEM 2(c) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION.
Massachusetts
ITEM 2(d) TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES.
Class A Common Stock
ITEM 2(e) CUSIP NUMBER.
026375105
ITEM 3 REPORTING PERSON.
See Item 12 on cover page
ITEM 4 OWNERSHIP.
See Items 5 - 11 on cover page
ITEM 5 OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.
N/A
ITEM 6 OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.
N/A
ITEM 7 IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED
THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY.
N/A
PAGE 3 OF 4 PAGES
ITEM 8 IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
N/A
ITEM 9 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.
N/A
ITEM 10 CERTIFICATION.
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge
and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the
ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose
of and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the
control of the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in
connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such
purpose or effect.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement
is true, complete and correct.
February 10, 2004
Date
/s/ J. Richard Atwood
Signature
J. Richard Atwood, Principal and Chief Operating Officer
Name/Title
PAGE 4 OF 4 PAGES