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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 +xqfL4zq2R+YRDQGfFzk8A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000040417-09-000004.txt : 20090109
<SEC-HEADER>0000040417-09-000004.hdr.sgml : 20090109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090109152025
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000040417-09-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090109
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090109

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EDELMAN GERALD M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001227646

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-00041
		FILM NUMBER:		09518507

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

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:		100 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		35TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129168400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		35TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001227646</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EDELMAN GERALD M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>100 PARK AVENUE - 35TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>86</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3123</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares received in payment of dividends.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Gerald M. Edelman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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