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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-010395.txt : 20090504
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-010395.hdr.sgml : 20090504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090504141033
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-010395
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090504
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090504

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GLATFELTER P H CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000041719
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPER MILLS [2621]
		IRS NUMBER:				230628360
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		96 S GEORGE ST
		STREET 2:		STE 500
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17401
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7172252709

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		96 S GEORGE ST
		STREET 2:		STE 500
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17401

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAHLBERG KATHLEEN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192107

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03560
		FILM NUMBER:		09792810

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		96 S GEORGE ST STE 420
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17401
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000041719</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GLATFELTER P H CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GLT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192107</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAHLBERG KATHLEEN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>96 SOUTH GEORGE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>17401</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $.01</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1264</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.23</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12022</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3250</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-04-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-04-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, Par Value $.01</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3250</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3250</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As part of the Director's compensation, each director receives a retainer of $17,500 semi-annually,  1/3 is paid in cash, and 2/3 in GLT stock. These shares represent the stock portion of this retainer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Resticted stock units correspond 1 for 1 with common stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Suzanne DeMars, attorney in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
