<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-12-025507.txt : 20120831
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-12-025507.hdr.sgml : 20120831
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120831145746
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-12-025507
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120829
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120831
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120831

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:			SMOOT RICHARD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192100

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03560
		FILM NUMBER:		121068289

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		96 S GEORGE ST STE 500
		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>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-08-29</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192100</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMOOT RICHARD L</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>2012-08-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.63</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21045</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $.01</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>920</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.78</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20125</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This is an average price.  Shares were sold as follows:  1,000 @ $16.67; 1,000 @ $16.59; 500@ $16.63; 500 @ $16.65; 500 @ $16.60</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Closing price of the common stock on the date of the gift</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Linda M. Levans by POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
