Learn a little
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The Hallmark Family Tree Has
Deep Canadian Roots

The Hallmark story begins in 1910, when 18-year-old Joyce Clyde Hall stepped off a train in Kansas City, Mo., with nothing but two shoeboxes of postcards under his arm. He had little money, but he had an entrepreneurial spirit and the determination of a pioneer.

Hall quickly made a name for himself with the picture postcards he sold. Rollie Hall joined his brother in business, and the company was named Hall Brothers. On Jan. 11, 1915, a fire destroyed their office and inventory. Though $17,000 in debt, they decided to press onward.

Meanwhile in Canada in 1916, William E. (“Bill”) Coutts set off on a sales journey across the country with a portfolio of 50 card designs. With the help of friends and family, and backed by a company in Illinois, Bill had created a line of Christmas cards. This was the start of William E. Coutts Company, Limited, and, as Bill recalled, this sales trip “really started the whole thing off and from then on for me, the business was greeting cards.”

Bill continued to grow his business in Canada with new everyday and seasonal lines, and his next goal was to expand into the American market. Through business circles, Bill had heard about a growing Kansas City stationery business – Hall Brothers – and admired their designs. In December 1931, Bill called Joyce Hall and told him of his interest in manufacturing their designs in Canada.

Mr. Hall was receptive and invited Bill to come to Kansas City. Mr. Hall entertained Bill at his home, and that evening, a business deal was struck. As Bill Coutts recalled, “I was delighted. We shook hands and thus began an agreement which was to last for more than ten years before ever being put into a formal written contract.”

In 1948, Bill Coutts sold 40% interest in his company to the Hall Brothers. In 1958, Hallmark Cards, which was their new name, bought the balance of the company. As Bill Coutts said, “From that year on, our story is part of the Hallmark saga.”

Today, there are more than 1,000 Hallmark Gold Crown storefronts across North America. All Canadian Hallmark Gold Crown stores are proudly independently owned and operated.

Hallmark Cards, Inc. believes in bringing positivity, comfort and connection into your life. That’s why we are dedicated to creating a more emotionally connected world and making a difference in the lives of others.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Hallmark has a diverse portfolio of businesses:

While there are many ways to experience Hallmark, the experiences that matter most to the company are the ones our customers are able to share with their friends and loved ones. We strive each day to help those experiences – and those connections – come to life.

In each of our businesses we aim to be good community partners, we believe embracing diversity and inclusion is the best way to understand and serve our employees and consumers, and we strive to be environmentally responsible. This all helps to fulfill our purpose of inspiring meaningful relationships and enhancing lives.

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Hallmark Businesses

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Learn a littleabout us

The Hallmark Family Tree Has Deep Canadian Roots

Hallmark Businesses

Learn a little
about us

The Hallmark Family Tree Has
Deep Canadian Roots