<PAGE>
Schedule 13G Page 1 of 9
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SEC POTENTIAL PERSONS WHO ARE TO RESPOND TO THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
1745 CONTAINED IN THIS FORM ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND UNLESS THE FORM
(3-98) DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OMB CONTROL NUMBER.
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OMB APPROVAL
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OMB NUMBER: 3235-0145
EXPIRES: NOVEMBER 30, 1999
ESTIMATED AVERAGE BURDEN
HOURS PER RESPONSE ............ 14.9
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. ______)*
AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value Per Share
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(Title of Class of Securities)
030371108
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(CUSIP Number)
December 31, 1999
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(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:
[ ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[x] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be 'filed' for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ('Act') or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
http://www.sec.gov/smbus/forms/13g.htm 1/5/00
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Schedule 13G Page 2 of 9
CUSIP No. 030371108
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
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1. Names of Reporting Persons. Jay R. Harris
I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
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2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
(a) ............................................................................................................................
(b) ............................................................................................................................
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3. SEC Use Only ................................................................................................................
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4. Citizenship or Place of Organization U.S.
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5. Sole Voting Power 110,240
Number of -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares 6. Shared Voting Power 0
Beneficially -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owned by Each 7. Sole Dispositive Power 121,650
Reporting -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Person With: 8. Shared Dispositive Power 102,314
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9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 223,964
10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)
11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 9.0%
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12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN
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</TABLE>
http://www.sec.gov/smbus/forms/13g.htm 1/5/00
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13G
ITEM 1.
(a) The name of the issuer is American Vanguard Corporation (the
"Corporation").
(b) The Corporation's executive office is located at 4100 East Washington
Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90023.
ITEM 2.
(a) The person filing this statement is Jay R. Harris.
(b) Mr. Harris' residence is 130 East End Avenue, New York, NY 10028.
(c) Mr. Harris is a United States citizen.
(d) The Security is common stock, $0.10 par value per share.
(e) The CUSIP Number of the Security is 030371108.
ITEM 3.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4.
(a) Mr. Harris is the beneficial owner of 223,964 shares of the Security
through the following:
- his direct, personal ownership of 15,760 shares of the Security;
- his IRA which holds 20,290 shares of the Security;
- his power of attorney for the management of the account of his
mother, Lily Harris, which holds 6,625 shares of the Security;
- his power of attorney for the management of the account of his adult
daughter, Lisa Eng, and her IRA, which holds 3,185 shares of the
Security;
- his power of attorney for the management of the IRA of his adult
son, James Harris, which holds 1,600 shares of the Security;
- his position as President of The Jay and Sandra Harris Foundation,
which owns 2,200 shares of the Security;
- his position as General Partner of One GT Associates, which owns
71,990 shares of the Security; and
- his position as President of Goldsmith & Harris Incorporated ("G&H"),
a broker-dealer registered under Section 15 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and an investment adviser registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, in accordance with Section
240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E), by virtue of
<PAGE>
G&H's investment discretion over accounts of its customers that hold
102,314 shares of the Security.
(b) The amount of shares of the Security beneficially owned by Mr. Harris
is 9.0% of the total outstanding shares of the Security.
(c) (i) Mr. Harris has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote of
110,240 shares of the Security.
(ii) Not applicable.
(iii) Mr. Harris has the sole power to dispose, or to direct the
disposition, of 121,650 shares of the Security.
(iv) Mr. Harris shares with G&H the power to dispose, or to direct the
disposition, of 102,314 shares of the Security.
ITEM 5.
Not applicable
ITEM 6.
The clients of G&H, Lily Harris, Lisa Eng, James Harris, The Jay and Sandra
Harris Foundation and One GT Partners Associates may have the right to receive
or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the
sale of, shares of the Security. None of these persons has an interest in 5% or
more of the total outstanding shares of the Security.
ITEM 7.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10.
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the
purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the
issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.
March 28, 2000
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Date
By /s/ Jay R. Harris
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Jay R. Harris
