American Greetings

American Greeting Cards has been around since 1905. Learn about the history of this company and what it offers today. Find out about Holly Hobby and the Care Bears.

American Greetings Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of social expression products. Along with greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, candles, stationery, calendars, educational products, ornaments and electronic greetings. American Greetings is also the creator and owner of many celebrated character properties, including Strawberry Shortcake, Holly Hobbie, and Care Bears. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $2 billion.

While today, the company helps millions of people worldwide stay connected and celebrate life's special occasions, it all started with $50 and the dreams of one determined young man.

Big dreams, humble beginnings

The success of American Greetings Corporation began in the heart of Jacob Sapirstein, a young Polish immigrant. Jacob believed that with ambition, ethics and hard work, anyone could achieve the American dream.

Shortly after his arrival in America in 1905, Jacob moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became a jobber of post cards - a popular item of the times - buying the cards from German manufacturers and selling them to local merchants.

To start his business, Jacob borrowed $50 from a local bank to buy a supply of penny postcards, which he sold to drug stores, novelty shops and confectioners. By the end of the first week, he had sold enough cards to repay the loan, and had an extra $50 to fund the following week's business. The most popular designs in his early product line expressed feelings using rhymed verses and flowery Victorian artwork.

Jacob and his wife had four children: sons, Irving, Morris, and Harry; and daughter Bernice. Before long, the Sapirstein Greeting Card Company became a family operation. The children helped their father organize inventory, stuff fancy postcards into envelopes and make deliveries to accounts in the family's horse-drawn cart.

Learn more of the story at American Greetings web site.