-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OtY5oK4umqCLexvZytAQRPWJSIrjIA9Or+V73JLAgAKZzcZ0pHXcOcEkG8Uljw9N
 ammOBgTcc9AZL1xPTnc/aA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000040417-06-000005.txt : 20060104
<SEC-HEADER>0000040417-06-000005.hdr.sgml : 20060104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060104152157
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000040417-06-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060104
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060104

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Lynch Sally A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001347079

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-00041
		FILM NUMBER:		06507089

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-916-8400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS COMPANY, INC.
		STREET 2:		450 LEXINGTON AVENUE (SUITE 3300)
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040417
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				135098450
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 LEXINGTON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129168400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 LEXINGTON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040417</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GAM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001347079</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lynch Sally A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS COMPANY, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>450 LEXINGTON AVENUE (SUITE 3300)</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Sally A. Lynch</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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