-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HaG4zs9DcSFMgluJgoQ3Frt6ddfz3sd+5kgkt8LjxS783XMOVbBCcDYcWn6emYuI
 XOsHMPvyF5TF012jNuW7eQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000040643-99-000008.txt : 19990215
<SEC-HEADER>0000040643-99-000008.hdr.sgml : 19990215
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000040643-99-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19981231
FILED AS OF DATE:		19990212

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL HOUSEWARES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040643
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NONFERROUS FOUNDRIES (CASTINGS) [3360]
		IRS NUMBER:				410919772
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07117
		FILM NUMBER:		99534740

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 4066 1536 BEECH STREET
		CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47804
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8122321000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4066 1536 BEECH STREET
		CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47804
<REPORTING-OWNER>

COMPANY DATA:	
	COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLACKWELL JOHN C
	CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001035127
	STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NONFERROUS FOUNDRIES (CASTINGS) [3360]
<RELATIONSHIP>OWNER
	STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
	FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

FILING VALUES:
	FORM TYPE:		5

BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
	STREET 1:		1536 BEECH ST
	CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
	STATE:			IN
	ZIP:			47804
	BUSINESS PHONE:		8122321000

MAIL ADDRESS:	
	STREET 2:		P O BOX 4066 1536 BEECH STREET
	CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
	STATE:			IN
	ZIP:			47804
</REPORTING-OWNER>
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 5
<TEXT>


Form 5

1.  Name and address of reporting person:
    John C. Blackwell
    1536 Beech Street
    Terre Haute,  IN  47804

2.  Issuer name and ticker or trading symbol:
    General Housewares Corp.  (GHW)

4.  Statement for month/year:
    1998

6.  Relationship of reporting person to issuer:
    Officer - Vice President, Sales and Marketing

TABLE I

1.  Title of security:
    Common Stock

2.  Transaction date:
    Periodic

3.  Transaction code:
    B

4.  Securities acquired (A) or Disposed of (D):
    45.988  A
Price $9.56 - $7.65

5.  Amount of securities beneficially owned at end of month:
    7,088  (D)
    1,014.586 (I)*

7.  Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
*Acquired on a periodic basis by the trustee of the Issuer's Employee Stock 
Purchase Plan.  Represents shares acquired through 12/31/98, the latest date 
for which information is available.

TABLE II

9.  Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned at End of Month
    18,000

/s/   John C. Blackwell
Date: February 12, 1999

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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