SEC Form 5
FORM 5 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
  
Form 3 Holdings Reported.
  
Form 4 Transactions Reported.
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
Grassi Craig Anthony

(Last) (First) (Middle)
GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS COMPANY, INC.
450 LEXINGTON AVENUE, SUITE 3300

(Street)
NEW YORK NY 10017

(City) (State) (Zip)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS CO INC [ GAM ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
Director 10% Owner
X Officer (give title below) Other (specify below)
Assistant Vice-President
3. Statement for Issuer's Fiscal Year Ended (Month/Day/Year)
12/31/2005
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
X Form filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned at end of Issuer's Fiscal Year (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Amount (A) or (D) Price
Common Stock 12/31/2005 J(1) 31 A (1) 6,722 I By Thrift Plan Trust(2)
Common Stock 21 I By Custodian for Child(3)
5.95% Preferred Stock 1,130 D
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year) 7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
(A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Explanation of Responses:
1. The securities reported herein were acquired on a periodic basis in open market transactions at the then prevailing market prices pursuant to the Issuer's Employees' Thrift Plan. The information is based upon a statement as of 12/31/05 issued by the Plan Administrator.
2. By Issuer's Employees' Thrift Plan Trust. The undersigned disclaims any beneficial interest in these shares.
3. By Custodial Account for Joseph David Grassi under the Pennsylvania Uniform Transfers to Minor Act.
/s/Craig A. Grassi 01/27/2006
** Signature of Reporting Person Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.