Form of Director Stock Option Agreement (revised)

Exhibit 10(xliii)

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT 1997 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan

Cleveland, Ohio

WHEREAS, the individual identified on the attached form, (the " Optionee" ) is a director of American Greetings Corporation (the " Company" ); and

WHEREAS, the Company is authorized under the attached 1997 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (" Plan" ) to grant stock options to directors including the Optionee;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises herein, the Company and the Optionee agree as follows:

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan:

(1) The Company hereby grants to the Optionee options (" Options" ) to purchase the Class of Common Shares, par value $1 per share (" Shares" ), of the Company in the amount and at the price indicated on the attached form, the option price being the market price of the Company' s Class A Common Shares quoted by the New York Stock Exchange (" NYSE" ) on the day on which these Options are granted, and agrees to cause certificates for any Shares purchased hereunder (or other evidence of share ownership selected by the Company) to be delivered to the Optionee upon receipt of the purchase price either (i) in cash or check; (ii) in whole or in part, Class A and/or Class B Common Shares of the Company valued (in the case of both Class A and/or Class B Common Shares) at the time of exercise at least equal to the option price; (iii) by surrender of any other award or grant under the Plan valued at the time of exercise at least equal to the option price; or (iv) a combination of such payment methods.

(2) The Options shall become exercisable, from time to time, in whole or in part, according to the attached schedule, as long as the Optionee remains a director of the Company. Once the Options have become exercisable, all or any part of the Options shall be exercisable during the balance of the option period; provided, however, if the Optionee shall die, become permanently disabled or incomp ...