AMSCAN HOLDINGS INC
8-K, 1998-09-25
PAPER & PAPER PRODUCTS
Previous: THOUSAND TRAILS INC /DE/, 10-K405, 1998-09-25
Next: INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST & IN QU TAX EX TR MUL SE 311, S-6, 1998-09-25





- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 --------------


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



     Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): September 17, 1998



                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)





         Delaware                  000-21827                 13-3911462
     (State or Other        (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
     Jurisdiction of                                     Identification No.)
      Incorporation)




                               80 Grasslands Road
                            Elmsford, New York 10523
                   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)



                                (914) 345-2020
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

            On September 17, 1998, Amscan Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant"), a
Delaware corporation, completed the acquisition (the "Acquisition") of all the
capital stock of Anagram International, Inc. ("Anagram") and certain related
companies (collectively, the "Anagram Companies") pursuant to a Stock Purchase
Agreement (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), dated as of August 6, 1998, by and
among the Registrant and Garry Kieves and certain related stockholders of the
Anagram Companies (the "Sellers"), all of whom were signatories to the Stock
Purchase Agreement. The Stock Purchase Agreement was previously filed as an
Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of August 6,
1998.

            In connection with and upon consummation of the Acquisition the
Registrant entered into amended and restated credit agreements, copies of which
are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 and are incorporated herein by
reference. Also, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture under which the
Registrant's 9-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") were
issued, certain of the Anagram Companies that became subsidiaries of the
Registrant upon consummation of the Acquisition executed a supplemental
indenture and senior subordinated guarantee with respect to the Notes, copies of
which supplemental indenture and senior subordinated guarantee are filed
herewith as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 respectively and are incorporated herein by
reference. Copies of the organizational documents for such subsidiaries are also
filed as exhibits hereto.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 (c)   Exhibits.

        EXHIBIT
        NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION

           3.1    Amended Articles of Incorporation of Anagram
                  International, Inc.

           3.2    By-laws of Anagram International, Inc.

           3.3    Articles of Incorporation of Anagram International
                  Holdings, Inc.

           3.4    By-laws of Anagram International Holdings, Inc.

           3.5    Articles of Organization of Anagram International, LLC

           3.6    Operating Agreement of Anagram International, LLC

           3.7    Certificate of Formation of Anagram Eden Prairie
                  Property Holdings LLC

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

        EXHIBIT
        NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION

           4.1    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 17, 1998, by and
                  among Anagram International, Inc., Anagram International
                  Holdings, Inc., Anagram International, LLC and Anagram Eden
                  Prairie Property Holdings LLC and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust
                  Company, as Trustee

           4.2    Senior Subordinated Guarantee, dated as of September 17, 1998,
                  by Anagram International, Inc., Anagram International
                  Holdings, Inc., Anagram International, LLC and Anagram Eden
                  Prairie Property Holdings LLC

          10.1    Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Credit Agreement, dated as
                  of September 17, 1998, by and among the Registrant, the
                  financial institutions parties thereto, Goldman, Sachs Credit
                  Partners L.P., as arranger and syndication agent, and Fleet
                  National Bank, as administrative agent

          10.2    Amended and Restated AXEL Credit Agreement, dated as of
                  September 17, 1998, by and among the Registrant, the financial
                  institutions parties thereto, Goldman, Sachs Credit Partners
                  L.P., as arranger and syndication agent, and Fleet National
                  Bank, as administrative agent

                                      -3-
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                    AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       By:  /s/  James M. Harrison

                                       Name:    James M. Harrison
                                       Title:   President

Dated:  September 25, 1998

                                      -4-
<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

        EXHIBIT
        NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION

           3.1    Amended Articles of Incorporation of Anagram
                  International, Inc.

           3.2    By-laws of Anagram International, Inc.

           3.3    Articles of Incorporation of Anagram International
                  Holdings, Inc.

           3.4    By-laws of Anagram International Holdings, Inc.

           3.5    Articles of Organization of Anagram International, LLC

           3.6    Operating Agreement of Anagram International, LLC

           3.7    Certificate of Formation of Anagram Eden Prairie
                  Property Holdings LLC

           4.1    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 17, 1998, by and
                  among Anagram International, Inc., Anagram International
                  Holdings, Inc., Anagram International, LLC and Anagram Eden
                  Prairie Property Holdings LLC and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust
                  Company, as Trustee

           4.2    Senior Subordinated Guarantee, dated as of September 17, 1998,
                  by Anagram International, Inc., Anagram International
                  Holdings, Inc., Anagram International, LLC and Anagram Eden
                  Prairie Property Holdings LLC

          10.1    Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Credit Agreement, dated as
                  of September 17, 1998, by and among the Registrant, the
                  financial institutions parties thereto, Goldman, Sachs Credit
                  Partners L.P., as arranger and syndication agent, and Fleet
                  National Bank, as administrative agent

          10.2    Amended and Restated AXEL Credit Agreement, dated as of
                  September 17, 1998, by and among the Registrant, the financial
                  institutions parties thereto, Goldman, Sachs Credit Partners
                  L.P., as arranger and syndication agent, and Fleet National
                  Bank, as administrative agent




                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1

                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                                  ANAGRAM INC.

                                      -o0o-

          The undersigned, being a natural person of full age, for the purpose
of forming a corporation under and pursuant to the provisions of the Minnesota
Business Corporation Act, being Chapter 301, Minnesota Statutes Annotated, does
hereby adopt the following Articles of Incorporation.


                                   ARTICLE I.

          The name of this corporation shall be:

                            Anagram Inc.


                                   ARTICLE II.

          The purposes and powers of this corporation shall be:

          (a) General business purposes.

          (b) Marketing products and services of all types.

          (c) To acquire, hold, mortgage, pledge or dispose of the shares, bond,
securities and other evidences of indebtedness of any domestic or foreign
corporation.

          (d) To take, lease, purchase or otherwise acquire, and to own, use,
hold, sell, convey, exchange, lease, mortgage, work, improve, develop, divide
and otherwise handle, deal in, and dispose of real estate, real property, and
any interest or right therein. To erect, construct, maintain, improve, rebuild,
enlarge, alter, manage and control, directly or through ownership of stock in
any corporation, any and all kinds of buildings, houses, stores, offices, shops,
warehouses, factories, mills, machinery and plants, and any and all other
structures and erections which may at any time be necessary, useful or
advantageous, for the purposes of the corporation, and which lawfully may be
done under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

          (e) To make, enter into, perform and carry out contracts for
constructing, building, altering, improving, repairing, decorating, maintaining,
furnishing and fitting up buildings, tenements and structures of every
description, and to advance money to and enter into agreements of all kinds with
builders, contractors, property owners and others for said purpose.

          (f) To purchase or otherwise acquire, own, mortgage, pledge, sell,
assign and transfer, or otherwise dispose of, to invest, trade, deal in and deal
with goods, wares, and merchandise and personal property of every class and
description; to acquire and pay for in cash, stocks or bonds of this
corporation, or otherwise, the good will, rights, assets and property, and to
undertake or assume the whole or any part of the obligations or liabilities of
any person,

<PAGE>

firm, association or corporation; to acquire, hold, use, sell, assign, lease,
grant licenses in respect of, mortgage or otherwise dispose of letters patent of
the United States or any foreign country, patent rights, licenses and
privileges, inventions, improvements and processes, copyrights, trademarks and
trade names, relating to or useful in connection with any business of this
corporation.

          (g) To enter into, make and perform contracts of every kind and
description with any person, firm, association, corporation, municipality,
county, state, body politic or government or colony or dependency thereof, to
borrow money for any of the purposes of the corporation, from time to time, to
draw, make, accept, endorse, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills
of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures and other negotiable or non-negotiable
instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the payment of any
thereof and of the interest thereon by mortgage upon or pledge, conveyance or
assignment in trust or the whole or any part of the property of the corporation,
whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired, and to sell, pledge, or
otherwise dispose of such bonds or other obligations of the corporation, for its
corporate purposes.

          (h) To purchase, hold, sell and transfer the shares of its own capital
stock.

          (i) To have one or more offices, within or without the State of
Minnesota, to carry on all or any of its operations and business and, without
restriction or limit as to amount, to purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own,
mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of real property of every class and
description in any of the states, districts, territories or colonies of the
United States, and in any and all foreign countries, subject to the laws of such
state, district, territory, colony or country; and, in general, to exercise and
to have such other powers and purposes as may be reasonably incidental to or
necessary for the exercise of any of the powers hereinabove specified.

          (j) To do each and all of the things aforesaid for itself, or as
agent, nominee, broker, factor, consignee, associate, joint venturer, or partner
of or with other persons, firms, partnerships, general or limited, associations,
or corporations; and to do the same as fully and to the same extent as natural
persons might or could do, including the formation or entering into joint
ventures or general or limited partnerships or associations to do any of the
things aforesaid and becoming and acting as a joint venturer, general or limited
partners, or associate or member therein.

          (k) The objects and purposes specified in the foregoing paragraphs
shall, except where otherwise expressed, be in nowise limited or restricted by
reference to, or inference from the terms of any other clause in these Articles
of Incorporation, but the objects and purposes specified in each of the
foregoing clauses of this Article shall be regarded as independent objects and
purposes and shall be in addition to any other powers of corporations having
general business purposes under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE III.

          The location and post office address of its registered office within
the State of Minnesota shall be 1800 Midwest Plaza Building, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, 55402.


                                   ARTICLE IV.

          The time for the commencement of this corporation shall be the date
upon which these Articles of Incorporation are filed in the office of the
Secretary of State of Minnesota, and its duration shall be perpetual.

                                   ARTICLE V

          (a) The capital stock of this corporation shall consist of Twenty-five
Thousand (25,000) shares of common stock at One Dollar ($1.00) par value.

          (b) No holder of stock of this corporation shall be entitled to any
cumulative voting rights.

          (c) The capital stock of this corporation shall be issued in the
manner, at the times, in such amounts, and for such consideration in money or
property or both, as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine.
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the terms, provisions and
conditions of, and authorize the issuance of options, warrants, or rights to
purchase or subscribe for shares of its common stock, including the price or
prices at which shares may be purchased or subscribed for.

          (d) No holder of stock of this corporation shall have any
preferential, pre-emptive, or other rights of subscription to any shares of any
class of stock of this corporation allotted or sold or to be allotted or sold
and now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations or securities convertible
into any class of stock of this corporation, nor any right of subscription to
any part thereof.


                                   ARTICLE VI.

          The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and
agents to the full extent permitted by the laws of the State of Minnesota, as
now in effect or as the same may hereafter be amended.


                                  ARTICLE VII.

          The amount of stated capital with which this corporation shall begin
business shall be the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).


                                  ARTICLE VIII.

          The name and post office address of the incorporator forming this
corporation is:

                  Ralph Strangis
                  1800 Midwest Plaza
                  Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402


                                      -3-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE IX

          (a) The management of the corporation shall be vested in a Board of
Directors whose number shall be determined in accordance with the Bylaws of this
corporation. The first Board of Directors of the corporation, who shall hold
office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors
are elected shall consist of:

                          Ralph Strangis
                          1800 Midwest Plaza
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402

                          Michael D. Goldner
                          1800 Midwest Plaza
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402

                          Andris A. Baltins
                          1800 Midwest Plaza
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402

          (b) The Board of Directors shall have the authority to make and alter
Bylaws, subject to the power of the stockholders to change or repeal such
Bylaws.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this
17th day of June, 1977.

In the Presence Of:

                                       /s/
                                       ---------------------------------------
 /s/ 
- ------------------------------------

 /s/ Marcia L. Olson
- ------------------------------------


State of Minnesota )
                   ) ss.:
County of Hennepin )

          On this 17th day of June, 1977, before me a notary public within and
for said county, personally appeared Ralph Strangis to me known to be the person
named in and who executed the foregoing Articles of Incorporation, and he
acknowledged that he executed the same as his free act and deed and for the uses
and purposes therein expressed.

                                                      /s/ Marcia L. Olson

[SEAL]


                                      -4-
<PAGE>



                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                         OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF
                                  ANAGRAM INC.

                  We, the undersigned, Garry Kieves and Rick Keives, President
and Vice President and Secretary, respectively, of ANAGRAM INC., a Minnesota
corporation, do hereby certify that resolutions as hereinafter set forth were
adopted by a unanimous action in writing signed by all of the stockholders of
Anagram Inc., for the purpose of amending the Articles of Incorporation of the
corporation.

                  WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has deemed it advisable to
                  change the corporate name of the corporation and has proposed
                  an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the
                  corporation;

                  NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that Article I of the
                  Articles of Incorporation be and the same is hereby amended by
                  deleting the present Article I and inserting in lieu thereof
                  the following Article I:

                                   "ARTICLE I.

                     The name of this corporation shall be:

                          Anagram International, Inc."

                  RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the President or any Vice President,
                  acting alone or with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
                  be and they each are hereby authorized and empowered to take
                  any and all action necessary or required in order to file for
                  record with the Secretary of State of Minnesota and in any
                  other jurisdiction the foregoing amendment to the Articles of
                  Incorporation and to take all other action necessary with
                  respect to the change of name of the corporation.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have subscribed our names hereto this
25th day of February, 1982.

In the Presence of:

 /s/                                          /s/ Garry Kieves
- ----------------------------                 -----------------------------------
                                             Garry Kieves, President

 /s/ Marcia L. Olson                          /s/ R. Keives
- ----------------------------                 -----------------------------------
                                             Rick Keives, Vice President 
                                                  and Secretary


<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                          ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF
                           ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                  The undersigned, the Secretary of Anagram International, Inc.,
a Minnesota corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby certify that pursuant
to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 302A.135, the following
resolutions were adopted by the unanimous action in writing by all of the
Shareholder and all of the Directors of the Corporation on December 29, 1992.

                  NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following amendment to
the Articles of Incorporation is hereby adopted:

                                    ARTICLE V

                   (a)     The capital stock of this corporation shall consist
                           of Twenty-five Thousand (25,000) shares of stock at
                           One Dollar ($1.00) par value.

                   (b)     No holder of stock of this corporation shall be
                           entitled to any cumulative voting rights.

                   (c)     The capital stock of this corporation shall be issued
                           in the manner, at the times, in such amounts, and for
                           such consideration in money or property or both, as
                           the Board of Directors may, from time to time,
                           determine. The Board of Directors shall have the
                           authority to establish more than one class or series
                           of stock, to designate the rights and preferences
                           thereof and to fix the terms, provisions and
                           conditions of, and authorize the issuance of options,
                           warrants, or rights to purchase or subscribe for
                           shares of its common stock, including the price or
                           prices at which shares may be purchased or subscribed
                           for.

                   (d)     No holder of stock of this corporation shall have any
                           preferential, pre-emptive, or other rights of
                           subscription to any shares of any class of stock of
                           this corporation allotted or sold or to be allotted
                           or sold and how or hereafter authorized, or to any
                           obligations or securities convertible into any class
                           of stock of this corporation, nor any right of
                           subscription to any part thereof.


<PAGE>


                  IN WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand 
this 30th day of December, 1992.

                                       /s/
                                       -----------------------------------
                                              Secretary





                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.2

                                    BYLAWS OF
                                  ANAGRAM INC.
                                      -o0o-

                                   ARTICLE I.
                           CORPORATE OFFICES AND SEAL

                   Section 1.01. Offices. The corporation may have offices
within the State of Minnesota or at such other places as the Board of Directors
may from time to time appoint or the business of the corporation may require.

                   Section 1.02. Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed
thereon the name of the corporation and the words "Corporate Seal, Minnesota."

                                   ARTICLE II.
                             MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                   Section 2.01. Place and Time of Meetings. Meetings of the
stockholders may be held at any place, within or without the State of Minnesota,
designated by the Directors, and in the absence of such designation, it shall be
held at the office of the corporation in the State of Minnesota. The Directors
shall designate the time of day for each meeting and, in the absence of such
designation, every meeting of the stockholders shall be held at 10:00 a.m.

                   Section 2.02. Annual Meetings. Annual meetings of the
stockholders shall be held at such time and place as shall be specified by the
Board of Directors. At the annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders
shall elect, by a plurality vote, a Board of Directors, and shall transact such
other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

                   Section 2.03. Notice of Annual Meetings. Written notice of
the annual meeting of stockholders shall be mailed to each stockholder entitled
to vote thereat, at such address as appears on the stock book of the
corporation, at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

                   Section 2.04. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the
stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by
statute, may be called 

<PAGE>

by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any two or more Directors, or by
one or more shareholders holding 10% or more of the shares entitled to vote on
the matters to be presented to the meeting. Business transacted at all special
meetings shall be confined to the objects stated in the call.

                   Section 2.05. Notice of Special Meetings. Unless otherwise
prescribed by statute, written notice of special meetings of stockholders,
stating the time, place and object thereof, shall be sent to each stockholder
entitled to vote thereat, at such address as appears on the books of the
corporation, at least five (5) days before such meeting.

                   Section 2.06. Quorum; Adjourned Meetings. The holders of a
majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat,
present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum, and the
presence of such majority stockholders shall be required at all meetings of the
stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by
law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws. If, however, such
majority shall not be present or represented at any meeting of stockholders, the
stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice
other than announcement at the meeting, until the requisite amount of voting
stock shall be present. At such adjourned meeting at which the requisite amount
of voting stock shall be represented, any business may be transacted which might
have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

                   Section 2.07. Voting. At each meeting of the stockholders
every stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person
or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such
stockholder. Each stockholder shall, unless the Articles of Incorporation
provide otherwise, have one vote for each share of stock having voting power,
registered in his name on the books of the corporation. All elections shall be
had and all questions decided by plurality vote.

                   Section 2.08. Voting Record. The officer or agent having
charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the corporation shall make a
complete record 


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

of the stockholders entitled to vote at each meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the
number of shares held by each. Such records shall be produced and be kept open
at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of
any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting.

                                  ARTICLE III.
                                    DIRECTORS

                   Section 3.01. Powers. The property, affairs and business of
the corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors. In addition to the
powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon it, the Board
may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and
things as are not by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these
Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

                   Section 3.02. Number; Term of Office. Until the first meeting
of stockholders, the number of directors shall be the number named in the
Articles of Incorporation. Thereafter, the number of Directors shall be
established by resolution of the stockholders, subject to the authority of the
Board of Directors to increase the number of Directors as permitted by law. In
the absence of such resolution, the number of Directors shall be the number last
fixed by the stockholders or the Board of Directors, or the Articles of
Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders. Each of the Directors shall
bold office until the annual meeting of stockholders next held after his
election and until his successor shall have been elected and shall qualify, or
until he shall resign, or shall have been removed.

                   Section 3.03. Vacancies; Newly Created Directorships.
Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled for the unexpired term, by a
majority of the remaining Directors of the Board. Newly created directorships
resulting from an increase in the authorized number of Directors by action of
the Board of Directors as permitted by Section 3.02 of these Bylaws may be
filled by a two-thirds vote of the Directors serving at the time of such
increase; and each person so elected shall be a Director until his successor is


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

elected by the stockholders, who may make such election at their next annual
meeting or at any meeting duly called for that purpose.

                   Section 3.04. Annual Meeting. As soon as practicable after
each annual election of Directors, the Board of Directors shall meet at the
office of the corporation, or at such other place within or without the State of
Minnesota as designated by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of electing
the officers of the corporation and for the transaction of such other business
as may come before the meeting.

                   Section 3.05. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board
of Directors may be held without notice at such time arid place as shall from
time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

                   Section 3.06. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board
of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the
Secretary upon 24 hours' notice to each Director, either personally, by
telephone, or by mail or by telegram. A special meeting shall be called by the
President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice upon the written
request of a majority of the Board of Directors.

                   Section 3.07. Participation by Telephone. Members of the
Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in
a meeting of the Board or of any such committee by means of conference telephone
or similar communication equipment by means of which all persons participating
in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such a manner shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.

                   Section 3.08. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of
Directors, one-third of the Directors, but in no event fewer than two Directors
other than where a Board of Directors consists of only one Director, shall be
necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business,
and the act of the majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which
there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Articles of Incorporation, or
by these Bylaws.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                   Section 3.09. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors
may, by unanimous affirmative action of the Board, designate two or more of
their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which, to the extent
determined by unanimous affirmative action of the Board, shall have and exercise
the authority of the Board in the management of the corporation. The Executive
Committee shall act only in the interval between meetings of the Board and shall
be subject at all times to the control and direction of the Board.

                   Section 3.10. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may
designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of
the Directors of the corporation, which, to the extent provided by the Board of
Directors, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in
the management of the business and affairs of the corporation. Such committee or
committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time
by the Board of Directors.

                   Section 3.11. Compensation. Directors and members of
committees of the Board of Directors, as such, shall not receive any stated
salary for their services, but by resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed
sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each
meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Nothing herein
contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

                                   ARTICLE IV.
                                    OFFICERS

                   Section 4.01. Number. The officers of the corporation shall
be chosen by the Directors, and shall consist of a Chairman of the Board, (if
one is elected by the Board), a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a
Secretary, a Treasurer and such Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers
and such other officers and agents as the Board of Directors from time to time
shall elect or appoint. Any two offices, except those of President and Vice
President, may be held by one person.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                   Section 4.02. Election; Term of Office; and Removal. At each
annual meeting of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting of the Board
of Directors called for such purpose, the Board shall elect, from within or
without its number, a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such
other officers as it may deem advisable. Such officers shall hold office until
the next annual meeting of the Directors or until their successors are elected
and qualified. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be
removed at any time with or without cause by the Board of Directors.

                   Section 4.03. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the
Board, if one is elected, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and
directors and shall have such other duties as may be prescribed from time to
time, by the Board of Directors.

                   Section 4.04. President. The President shall be the chief
executive officer of the corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the
Board, he shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and directors; he shall
be responsible for general and active management of the business of the
corporation; and he shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are
carried into effect. He may execute and deliver, in the name of the corporation,
any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments pertaining to the
business of the corporation. He shall be an ex officio member of all standing
committees and shall have powers and duties of supervision and management
usually vested in the office of the President of a corporation.

                   Section 4.05. Vice President. Any Vice President may, in the
absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the President and shall perform such other duties as the Board of
Directors shall prescribe.

                   Section 4.06. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all
sessions of the Board of Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record
all votes and minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose,
and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The
Secretary shall perform such other duties and execute such other documents as
may be prescribed by the Board of Directors

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
or the President under whose supervision he shall be. Any Assistant Secretary
may, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and
exercise the powers of the Secretary, and shall perform such other duties as the
Board of Directors shall prescribe.

                   Section 4.07. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody
of the corporate funds and securities, and shall keep full and accurate accounts
of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation, and shall
deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of
the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. He may disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the
Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the
President and directors at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they
may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the
financial condition of the corporation. Any Assistant Treasurer, in the absence
or disability of the Treasurer, may perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors
shall prescribe.

                   Section 4.08. Vacancies. If the office of any officer or an
agent becomes vacant by reason of his death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the directors then in office
may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect
of which such vacancy occurred.

                   Section 4.09. Delegation of Duties. In case of the absence of
any officer of the corporation, or for any other reason that the Board may deem
sufficient, the Board may delegate for the time being the powers and duties, or
any of them of such officer to any other officer or to any directors.

                                   ARTICLE V.
                              CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

                   Section 5.01. Certificates. Certificates of stock of the
corporation shall be numbered and shall be entered into the books of the
corporation as they are 


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

issued. Each such certificate shall exhibit the holder's name and number of
shares, and shall be signed by the President or any Vice President and the
Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

                   Section 5.02. Loss of Certificates. Any person claiming a
certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed shall make an affidavit in such
manner as the Board of Directors may require, and shall, if the Directors so
require, give the corporation a bond of indemnity in form and amount and with
one or more sureties satisfactory to the Board, whereupon a new certificate may
be issued of the same tenor and for the same number of shares as the one alleged
to be lost or destroyed.

                                   ARTICLE VI.
                                     NOTICES

                   Section 6.01. General. Whenever under the provisions of these
Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director, officer, or stockholder,
it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given
in writing by telegram or by mail, and if by mail by depositing the same in the
post office or letter box in a postpaid envelope, addressed to such stockholder,
officer, or director at such address as appears on the books of the corporation,
or in default of other address, to such officer, director, or stockholder at the
general post office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and such notice shall be deemed
to be given at the time when the same shall be delivered to the telegraph
company for transmission or thus mailed, as the case may be.

                   Section 6.02. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is
required to be given to any stockholder, director or officer of the corporation
under the provisions of these Bylaws or under the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation or by statute, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or
persons entitled to such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of
such notice.

                                  ARTICLE VII.
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

                   Section 7.01. The corporation may indemnify such persons for
such expenses and liabilities in such 


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

manner, under such circumstances and to the extent as permitted by the laws of
the State of Minnesota as now enacted or hereafter amended.

                                  ARTICLE VIII.
                                   AMENDMENTS

                   Section 8.01. These Bylaws may be amended or altered by the
Board of Directors at any meeting provided that notice of such proposed
amendments shall have been given in the notice given to the directors of such
meeting. Such authority in the Board of Directors is subject to the power of the
stockholders to change or repeal such bylaws and the Board of Directors shall
not make or alter any bylaws fixing their qualifications, classifications, term
of office, or number, except that the Board of Directors may make or alter any
bylaw to increase their number.














                                      -9-

                                                                     Exhibit 3.3

                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                      ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.

                                      -O0O-


         The undersigned  incorporator,  being a natural person of full age, for
the purpose of forming a corporation  under  Minnesota  Statutes,  Chapter 302A,
hereby adopts the following Articles of Incorporation:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                      NAME

         The name of the corporation is Anagram International Holdings, Inc.


                                   ARTICLE II

                               REGISTERED OFFICE

         The  registered  office of this  corporation is located at 7700 Anagram
Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55344-7307.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                  INCORPORATOR

         The name and address of the incorporator are:

             Name                                    Mailing Address
             ----                                    ---------------
          James Plutt                       7700 Anagram Drive
                                            Minneapolis, Minnesota  55344-7307


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    CAPITAL

         The aggregate  number of shares of stock which this  corporation  shall
have the authority to issue is One Hundred Thousand  (100,000) shares, par value
$.0l per share.

                                       1
<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE V

                               CLASSES AND SERIES

         In addition to, and not by way of limitation  of, the powers granted to
the  Board of  Directors  by  Minnesota  Statutes,  Chapter  302A,  the Board of
Directors  of this  corporation  shall  have the power and  authority  to fix by
resolution any designation,  class,  series,  voting power,  preference,  right,
qualification,  limitation, restriction, dividend, time and price of redemption,
and conversion right with respect to any stock of this corporation.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                         WRITTEN ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

         Any action  required  or  permitted  to be taken at any  meeting of the
Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting by written  action signed by a
majority of the Board of Directors  then in office,  except as to those  matters
which require  shareholder  approval,  in which case the written action shall be
signed by all members of the Board of Directors then in office.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                            CUMULATIVE VOTING DENIED

         No  holder  of  stock of this  corporation  shall  be  entitled  to any
cumulative voting rights.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                           PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS DENIED

         No holder of stock of this  corporation  shall  have any  preferential,
pre-emptive,  or other  rights  of  subscription  to any  shares of any class or
series of stock of this  corporation  allotted or sold or to be allotted or sold
and now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations or securities convertible
into  any  class  or  series  of stock  of this  corporation,  nor any  right of
subscription to any part thereof.


                                       2
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IX

                      LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS

         No  director  of the  corporation  shall be  personally  liable  to the
corporation  or its  shareholders  for monetary  damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director,  provided that this Article shall not eliminate or limit the
liability  of a director to the extent  provided by  applicable  law (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders,
(ii)  for  acts or  omissions  not in good  faith  or that  involve  intentional
misconduct  or a knowing  violation  of law,  (iii)  under  Section  302A.559 or
80A.23,  Minnesota  Statutes,  (iv) for any transaction  from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit,  or (v) for any act or omission  occurring
prior to the effective  date of this Article.  No amendment to or repeal of this
Article shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged  liability
of any director of the  corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions
of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  incorporator  has executed these Articles of
Incorporation this 3rd day of March, 1993.

                                   INCORPORATOR:


                                   /s/ James Plutt
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                   James Plutt


STATE OF MINNESOTA )
                   )    ss.
COUNTY OF SCOTT    )

         The  foregoing  instrument  was  acknowledged  before  me this 3rd 
day of March, 1993.

                                            /s/ Patricia A. Morris
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Notary Public


[SEAL]


                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.4
                                     BYLAWS
                                       OF
                      ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.


                                  SHAREHOLDERS

          Section 1.01 Place of Meetings. Each meeting of the shareholders shall
be held at the principal  executive  office of the  Corporation or at such other
place as may be  designated  by the Board of  Directors  or the Chief  Executive
Officer;  provided,  however,  that any meeting  called by or at the demand of a
shareholder  or  shareholders  shall be held in the county  where the  principal
executive office of the Corporation is located.

          Section 1.02 Regular Meetings.Regular meetings of the shareholders may
be held on an annual or other less frequent  basis as determined by the Board of
Directors; provided, however, that if a regular meeting has not been held during
the immediately preceding 15 months, a shareholder or shareholders holding three
percent or more of the voting power of all shares  entitled to vote may demand a
regular  meeting of  shareholders by written demand given to the Chief Executive
Officer or Chief Financial  Officer of the Corporation.  At each regular meeting
the shareholders shall elect qualified successors for directors who serve for an
indefinite  term or whose  terms have  expired  or are due to expire  within six
months  after the date of the  meeting  and may  transact  any  other  business,
provided,  however,  that no business  with respect to which  special  notice is
required by law shall be transacted unless such notice shall have been given.

          Section 1.03 Special  Meetings. A special meeting of the  shareholders
may be called for any  purpose or  purposes  at any time by the Chief  Executive
Officer; by the Chief Financial Officer; by the Board of Directors or any two or
more members thereof;  or by one or more shareholders  holding not less than ten
percent of the voting power of all shares of the  Corporation  entitled to vote,
who shall  demand  such  special  meeting by written  notice  given to the Chief
Executive Officer or the Chief Financial  Officer of the Corporation  specifying
the purposes of such meeting.

          Section 1.04  Meetings Held Upon  Shareholder  Demand.  Within 30 days
after receipt of a demand by the Chief Executive  Officer or the Chief Financial
Officer from any shareholder or  shareholders  entitled to call a meeting of the
shareholders,  it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
to cause a special or regular meeting of shareholders, as the case may be, to be
duly  called  and held on notice no later  than 90 days  after  receipt  of such
demand.  If the Board  fails to cause  such a meeting  to be called  and held as
required by this Section,  the shareholder or shareholders making the demand may
call the  meeting by giving  

                                       1
<PAGE>
notice as provided in Section 1.06 hereof at the expense of the Corporation.

          Section  1.05  Adjournments.  Any  meeting of the shareholders  may be
adjourned from time to time to another date,  time and place.  If any meeting of
the shareholders is so adjourned, no notice as to such adjourned meeting need be
given if the date,  time and place at which the meeting will be  reconvened  are
announced at the time of adjournment.

          Section  1.06 Notice of  Meetings.  Unless otherwise  required by law,
written notice of each meeting of the  shareholders,  stating the date, time and
place and, in the case of a special meeting,  the purpose or purposes,  shall be
given at least ten days and not more than 60 days prior to the  meeting to every
holder of shares entitled to vote at such meeting except as specified in Section
1.05 or as otherwise  permitted by law.  The  business  transacted  at a special
meeting of  shareholders  is limited to the purposes stated in the notice of the
meeting.

          Section 1.07 Waiver of Notice.  A shareholder  may waive notice of the
date, time, place and purpose or purposes of a meeting of shareholders. A waiver
of notice by a shareholder entitled to notice is effective whether given before,
at or after the meeting, and whether given in writing,  orally or by attendance.
Attendance by a shareholder  at a meeting is a waiver of notice of that meeting,
unless  the  shareholder  objects  at  the  beginning  of  the  meeting  to  the
transaction of business  because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened,
or  objects  before  a vote on an item of  business  because  the  item  may not
lawfully  be  considered  at  that  meeting  and  does  not  participate  in the
consideration of the item at that meeting.

          Section 1.08 Voting Rights.Subdivision 1. A shareholder shall have one
vote for each share held which is entitled to vote. Except as otherwise required
by law, a holder of shares  entitled  to vote may vote any portion of the shares
in any way the shareholder  chooses.  If a shareholder votes without designating
the proportion or number of shares voted in a particular way, the shareholder is
deemed to have voted all of the shares in that way.

          Subdivision  2. The Board of Directors may fix a date not more than 60
days  before  the  date  of a  meeting  of  shareholders  as the  date  for  the
determination  of the holders of shares  entitled  to notice of and  entitled to
vote at the meeting. When a date is so fixed, only shareholders on that date are
entitled to notice of and permitted to vote at that meeting of shareholders.

          Section 1.09 Proxies.  A shareholder may cast or authorize the casting
of a vote by filing a written  appointment  of a proxy  with an  officer  of the
Corporation  at  or  before  the  meeting  at  which  the  appointment  is to be
effective.  The  shareholder  may sign 


                                       2
<PAGE>

or authorize the written  appointment  by telegram,  cablegram or other means of
electronic  transmission setting forth or submitted with information  sufficient
to  determine  that the  shareholder  authorized  such  transmission.  Any copy,
facsimile, telecommunication or other reproduction of the original of either the
writing or transmission may be used in lieu of the original, provided that it is
a complete and legible reproduction of the entire original.

          Section 1.10 Quorum.  The holders of a majority of the voting power of
the  shares  entitled  to vote at a  shareholders  meeting  are a quorum for the
transaction  of  business.  If a quorum is  present  when a duly  called or held
meeting is convened,  the shareholders present may continue to transact business
until  adjournment,  even though the withdrawal of a number of the  shareholders
originally  present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required
for a quorum.

          Section 1.11 Acts of Shareholders.  Subdivision 1. Except as otherwise
required  by  law  or  specified  in  the  Articles  of   Incorporation  of  the
Corporation,  the shareholders  shall take action by the affirmative vote of the
holders  of the  greater of (a) a  majority  of the  voting  power of the shares
present  and  entitled to vote on that item of business or (b) a majority of the
voting  power of the  minimum  number of  shares  entitled  to vote  that  would
constitute  a quorum for the  transaction  of business at a duly held meeting of
shareholders.

          Subdivision  2. A  shareholder  voting by proxy  authorized to vote on
less than all items of business considered at the meeting shall be considered to
be present and entitled to vote only with respect to those items of business for
which the proxy  has  authority  to vote.  A proxy who is given  authority  by a
shareholder who abstains with respect to an item of business shall be considered
to have authority to vote on that item of business.

          Section  1.12  Action  Without  a  Meeting.  Any  action  required  or
permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation may be
taken  without a meeting by  written  action  signed by all of the  shareholders
entitled to vote on that action.  The written  action is  effective  when it has
been signed by all of those  shareholders,  unless a different effective time is
provided in the written action.

                                    DIRECTORS

          Section  2.01  Number;  Qualifications.  Except as  authorized  by the
shareholders   pursuant  to  a  shareholder   control   agreement  or  unanimous
affirmative  vote, the business and affairs of the Corporation  shall be managed
by or under the direction of a Board of one or more  directors.  Directors shall
be natural persons. The shareholders at each regular meeting shall determine the
number of  


                                       3
<PAGE>

directors to constitute  the Board,  provided  that  thereafter  the  authorized
number  of  directors  may be  increased  by the  shareholders  or the Board and
decreased by the shareholders. Directors need not be shareholders.

          Section 2.02 Term.  Each director shall serve for an  indefinite  term
that expires at the next regular meeting of the  shareholders.  A director shall
hold office until a successor is elected and has  qualified or until the earlier
death, resignation, removal or disqualification of the director.

          Section 2.03 Vacancies.  Vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting
from the death,  resignation,  removal or  disqualification of a director may be
filled by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the  remaining  members of the
Board,  though less than a quorum.  Vacancies on the Board  resulting from newly
created directorships may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors  serving  at the time such  directorships  are  created.  Each  person
elected to fill a vacancy  shall hold  office  until a  qualified  successor  is
elected  by the  shareholders  at the next  regular  meeting  or at any  special
meeting duly called for that purpose.

          Section 2.04 Place of Meetings. Each meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held at the principal  executive  office of the  Corporation or at such
other place as may be designated  from time to time by a majority of the members
of the  Board  or by the  Chief  Executive  Officer.  A  meeting  may be held by
conference  among the directors using any means of  communication  through which
the directors may simultaneously hear each other during the conference.

          Section  2.05  Regular  Meetings.  Regular meetings  of the  Board  of
Directors for the election of officers and the transaction of any other business
shall be held without notice at the place of and immediately  after each regular
meeting of the shareholders.

          Section  2.06  Special  Meetings.  A special  meeting  of the Board of
Directors may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time by any member of
the Board by giving not less than two days' notice to all directors of the date,
time and place of the  meeting,  provided  that when notice is mailed,  at least
four days' notice  shall be given.  The notice need not state the purpose of the
meeting.

          Section  2.07  Waiver  of  Notice;   Previously   Scheduled  Meetings.
Subdivision 1. A director of the  Corporation may waive notice of the date, time
and place of a meeting of the Board.  A waiver of notice by a director  entitled
to notice is  effective  whether  given  before,  at or after the  meeting,  and
whether given in writing, orally or by attendance. Attendance by a director at a
meeting is a waiver of notice of that  meeting,  unless the director  objects at
the beginning of the meeting to the transaction 


                                       4
<PAGE>

of  business  because  the  meeting  is not  lawfully  called  or  convened  and
thereafter does not participate in the meeting.

          Subdivision  2. If the day or date,  time and place of a Board meeting
have been provided  herein or announced at a previous  meeting of the Board,  no
notice is required.  Notice of an adjourned meeting need not be given other than
by announcement  at the meeting at which  adjournment is taken of the date, time
and place at which the meeting will be reconvened.

          Section  2.08  Quorum.  The  presence  in person of a  majority of the
directors currently holding office shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for
the  transaction  of  business.  In the  absence of a quorum,  a majority of the
directors present may adjourn a meeting from time to time without further notice
until a quorum is  present.  If a quorum is present  when a duly  called or held
meeting is convened,  the  directors  present may continue to transact  business
until  adjournment,  even  though the  withdrawal  of a number of the  directors
originally  present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required
for a quorum.

          Section  2.09 Acts of Board.  Except as  otherwise required  by law or
specified in the Articles of Incorporation  of the Corporation,  the Board shall
take action by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors  present at a
duly held meeting.

          Section 2.10  Participation by Electronic  Communications.  A director
may participate in a Board meeting by any means of  communication  through which
the director,  other  directors so  participating  and all directors  physically
present at the meeting may simultaneously  hear each other during the meeting. A
director so participating shall be deemed present in person at the meeting.

          Section 2.11 Absent Directors.  A director of the Corporation may give
advance  written  consent or  opposition to a proposal to be acted on at a Board
meeting. If the director is not present at the meeting, consent or opposition to
a  proposal  does not  constitute  presence  for  purposes  of  determining  the
existence of a quorum,  but consent or opposition  shall be counted as a vote in
favor of or against  the  proposal  and shall be entered in the minutes or other
record of action at the  meeting,  if the  proposal  acted on at the  meeting is
substantially  the same or has  substantially the same effect as the proposal to
which the director has consented or objected.

          Section 2.12 Action Without a Meeting. An action required or permitted
to be taken at a Board meeting may be taken without a meeting by written  action
signed by all of the  directors.  Any  action,  other  than an action  requiring
shareholder  approval, if the Articles of Incorporation so provide, may be taken
by written  action  signed by the number of directors  that would be required to
take the same  action at a meeting  of the  Board at which  all  


                                       5
<PAGE>

directors  were  present.  The written  action is  effective  when signed by the
required number of directors,  unless a different  effective time is provided in
the written  action.  When written  action is permitted to be taken by less than
all  directors,  all  directors  shall be notified  immediately  of its text and
effective date.

          Section 2.13 Committees.  Subdivision 1. A resolution  approved by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Board may establish  committees having the
authority of the Board in the management of the business of the Corporation only
to the extent  provided in the  resolution.  Committees  shall be subject at all
times to the direction  and control of the Board,  except as provided in Section
2.14.

          Subdivision  2. A  committee  shall  consist  of one or  more  natural
persons, who need not be directors,  appointed by affirmative vote of a majority
of the directors present at a duly held Board meeting.

          Subdivision  3. Section  2.04 and Sections  2.06 and 2.12 hereof shall
apply to  committees  and  members  of  committees  to the same  extent as those
sections apply to the Board and directors.

          Subdivision  4. Minutes,  if any, of committee  meetings shall be made
available upon request to members of the committee and to any director.

          Section 2.14 Special Litigation  Committee.  Pursuant to the procedure
set forth in Section 2.13,  the Board may establish a committee  composed of one
or more independent  directors or other independent persons to determine whether
it is in the best  interests of the  Corporation  to pursue a  particular  legal
right or remedy of the Corporation and whether to cause, to the extent permitted
by law, the dismissal or discontinuance of a particular proceeding that seeks to
assert a right or  remedy  on behalf of the  Corporation.  The  committee,  once
established,  is not subject to the direction or control of, or termination  by,
the Board.  A vacancy on the  committee  may be filled by a majority vote of the
remaining committee members.  The good faith determinations of the committee are
binding upon the Corporation and its directors, officers and shareholders to the
extent  permitted  by law.  The  committee  terminates  when it issues a written
report of its determinations to the Board.

          Section 2.15 Compensation. The Board may fix the compensation, if any,
of directors.

                                    OFFICERS

          Section 3.01 Number and Designation. The Corporation shall have one or
more natural persons  exercising the functions of the 


                                       6
<PAGE>

offices of Chief  Executive  Officer and Chief Financial  Officer.  The Board of
Directors  may  elect or  appoint  such  other  officers  or  agents as it deems
necessary for the operation and management of the Corporation, with such powers,
rights,  duties  and  responsibilities  as  may  be  determined  by  the  Board,
including,  without  limitation,  a President,  one or more Vice  Presidents,  a
Secretary and a Treasurer,  each of whom shall have the powers,  rights,  duties
and  responsibilities  set forth in these Bylaws unless otherwise  determined by
the Board.  Any of the offices or functions of those  offices may be held by the
same person.

          Section 3.02 Chief Executive Officer.  Unless provided  otherwise by a
resolution  adopted by the Board of Directors,  the Chief Executive  Officer (a)
shall have the general active management of the business of the Corporation; (b)
shall, when present,  preside at all meetings of the shareholders and Board; (c)
shall see that all orders and  resolutions of the Board are carried into effect;
(d)  may  maintain  records  of  and  certify   proceedings  of  the  Board  and
shareholders;  and (e)  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as may from time be
assigned by the Board.

          Section 3.03 Chief Financial Officer.  Unless provided  otherwise by a
resolution  adopted by the Board of Directors,  the Chief Financial  Officer (a)
shall keep accurate financial records for the Corporation; (b) shall deposit all
monies, drafts and checks in the name of and to the credit of the Corporation in
such banks and  depositories as the Board shall designate from time to time; (c)
shall  endorse  for  deposit  all  notes,  checks  and  drafts  received  by the
Corporation as ordered by the Board, making proper vouchers therefor;  (d) shall
disburse  corporate  funds  and  issue  checks  and  drafts  in the  name of the
Corporation,  as ordered by the Board;  (e) shall render to the Chief  Executive
Officer and the Board,  whenever requested,  an account of all of such officer's
transactions  as Chief Financial  Officer and of the financial  condition of the
Corporation; and (f) shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the
Board or the Chief Executive Officer from time to time.

          Section 3.04  President.  Unless otherwise  determined by the Board of
Directors,   the  President  shall  be  the  Chief  Executive   Officer  of  the
Corporation.  If an  officer  other  than  the  President  is  designated  Chief
Executive  Officer,  the President shall perform such duties as may from time to
time be assigned by the Board.

          Section 3.05 Vice Presidents. Any one or more Vice Presidents, if any,
may be  designated  by the Board of Directors as Executive  Vice  Presidents  or
Senior Vice  Presidents.  During the absence or disability of the President,  it
shall be the duty of the highest ranking  Executive Vice President,  and, in the
absence of any such Vice President,  it shall be the duty of the highest ranking
Senior Vice President or other Vice President,  who shall be present at the time
and able to act, to perform the duties of 


                                       7
<PAGE>

the President.  The  determination  of who is the highest ranking of two or more
persons holding the same office shall, in the absence of specific designation of
order  of  rank by the  Board,  be made on the  basis  of the  earliest  date of
appointment  or  election,  or in  the  event  of  simultaneous  appointment  or
election, on the basis of the longest continuous employment by the Corporation.

          Section 3.06 Secretary.  The Secretary, unless otherwise determined by
the Board of Directors,  shall attend all meetings of the  shareholders  and all
meetings  of the Board,  shall  record or cause to be recorded  all  proceedings
thereof in a book to be kept for that purpose, and may certify such proceedings.
Except as otherwise  required or permitted by these Bylaws,  the Secretary shall
give or cause to be given  notice of all  meetings of the  shareholders  and all
meetings of the Board.

          Section 3.07  Treasurer.  Unless  otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors,   the  Treasurer  shall  be  the  Chief  Financial   Officer  of  the
Corporation.  If an  officer  other  than  the  Treasurer  is  designated  Chief
Financial  Officer,  the Treasurer shall perform such duties as may from time to
time be assigned by the Board.

          Section  3.08  Authority  and  Duties.  In  addition  to the foregoing
authority and duties,  all officers of the Corporation  shall  respectively have
such  authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the
Corporation  as may be  designated  from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Unless prohibited by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority
of the  directors  present,  an officer  elected or  appointed by the Board may,
without the approval of the Board, delegate some or all of the duties and powers
of an office to other persons.

          Section 3.09 Term.Subdivision 1. All officers of the Corporation shall
hold office until their  respective  successors are chosen and have qualified or
until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

          Subdivision  2. An officer  may  resign at any time by giving  written
notice to the Corporation.  The resignation is effective without acceptance when
the  notice  is  given to the  Corporation,  unless  a later  effective  date is
specified in the notice.

          Subdivision 3. An officer may be removed at any time,  with or without
cause,  by a resolution  approved by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the
directors present at a duly held Board meeting.

          Subdivision 4. A vacancy in an office  because of death,  resignation,
removal, disqualification or other cause may, or in the case of a vacancy in the
office of Chief Executive  Officer or Chief  Financial  Officer shall, be filled
for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board.

                                       8
<PAGE>

          Section 3.10 Salaries. The salaries of all officers of the Corporation
shall be fixed by the Board of  Directors or by the Chief  Executive  Officer if
authorized by the Board.

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

          Section 4.01  Indemnification.  The Corporation  shall  indemnify  its
officers and directors for such expenses and liabilities,  in such manner, under
such  circumstances,  and to such extent,  as required or permitted by Minnesota
Statutes,  Section  302A.521,  as amended  from time to time,  or as required or
permitted by other provisions of law.

          Section 4.02  Insurance.  The Corporation  may  purchase  and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person in such person's official capacity against any
liability  asserted  against and incurred by such person in or arising from that
capacity,  whether  or not  the  Corporation  would  otherwise  be  required  to
indemnify the person against the liability.

                                     SHARES

          Section 5.01 Certificated and Uncertificated Shares.Subdivision 1. The
shares of the Corporation shall be either  certificated shares or uncertificated
shares.  Each  holder  of duly  issued  certificated  shares  is  entitled  to a
certificate of shares.

          Subdivision  2. Each  certificate of shares of the  Corporation  shall
bear the  corporate  seal,  if any,  and shall be signed by the Chief  Executive
Officer,  or the  President  or any  Vice  President,  and the  Chief  Financial
Officer, or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary,  but when a certificate is
signed by a transfer agent or a registrar, the signature of any such officer and
the corporate seal upon such certificate may be facsimiles, engraved or printed.
If a person signs or has a facsimile  signature placed upon a certificate  while
an officer, transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation,  the certificate may
be issued by the  Corporation,  even if the  person  has ceased to serve in that
capacity before the certificate is issued, with the same effect as if the person
had that capacity at the date of its issue.

          Subdivision  3.  A  certificate  representing  shares  issued  by  the
Corporation shall, if the Corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than
one class or  series,  set forth  upon the face or back of the  certificate,  or
shall state that the Corporation  will furnish to any  shareholder  upon request
and  without  charge,  a  full  statement  of  the  designations,   preferences,
limitations and relative rights of the shares of each class or series authorized
to be issued,  so far as they have been  determined,  and the  authority  of the
Board to determine the relative rights and preferences of subsequent  classes or
series.

                                       9
<PAGE>

          Subdivision  4. A  resolution  approved by the  affirmative  vote of a
majority  of the  directors  present  at a duly  held  meeting  of the Board may
provide  that some or all of any or all  classes and series of the shares of the
Corporation will be uncertificated  shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply
to shares  represented by a certificate  until the certificate is surrendered to
the Corporation.

          Section 5.02  Declaration  of Dividends  and Other  Distributions. The
Board of  Directors  shall have the  authority  to declare  dividends  and other
distributions upon the shares of the Corporation to the extent permitted by law.

          Section  5.03  Transfer of Shares.  Shares of the  Corporation  may be
transferred  only on the books of the  Corporation  by the  holder  thereof,  in
person or by such person's attorney.  In the case of certificated shares, shares
shall be transferred  only upon surrender and cancellation of certificates for a
like number of shares. The Board of Directors,  however, may appoint one or more
transfer  agents and registrars to maintain the share records of the Corporation
and to effect transfers of shares.

          Section 5.04 Record Date.  The Board of Directors  may fix a time, not
exceeding  60 days  preceding  the date fixed for the payment of any dividend or
other  distribution,  as a record date for the determination of the shareholders
entitled to receive payment of such dividend or other distribution,  and in such
case  only  shareholders  of record on the date so fixed  shall be  entitled  to
receive  payment of such  dividend or other  distribution,  notwithstanding  any
transfer of any shares on the books of the Corporation  after any record date so
fixed.

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          Section  6.01  Execution  of  Instruments.  Subdivision  1. All deeds,
mortgages,  bonds,  checks,  contracts and other  instruments  pertaining to the
business  and  affairs  of the  Corporation  shall be  signed  on  behalf of the
Corporation  by the  Chief  Executive  Officer,  or the  President,  or any Vice
President,  or by such other person or persons as may be designated from time to
time by the Board of Directors.

          Subdivision  2. If a document  must be  executed  by  persons  holding
different  offices or  functions  and one person holds such offices or exercises
such  functions,  that person may execute the document in more than one capacity
if the document indicates each such capacity.

          Section  6.02  Advances.  The  Corporation  may, without a vote of the
directors,  advance  money to its  directors,  officers  or  employees  to cover
expenses  that can  reasonably  be  anticipated  to 


                                       10
<PAGE>

be incurred by them in the  performance of their duties and for which they would
be entitled to reimbursement in the absence of an advance.

          Section 6.03 Corporate Seal.The seal of the Corporation, if any, shall
be a circular embossed seal having inscribed thereon the following words:

                           "Corporate Seal Minnesota".

          Section 6.04 Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be
determined by the Board of Directors.

          Section 6.05 Amendments.The Board of Directors shall have the power to
adopt,  amend or repeal the Bylaws of the  Corporation,  subject to the power of
the shareholders to change or repeal the same, provided, however, that the Board
shall not adopt,  amend or repeal  any Bylaw  fixing a quorum  for  meetings  of
shareholders, prescribing procedures for removing directors or filling vacancies
in the  Board,  or fixing  the  number of  directors  or their  classifications,
qualifications or terms of office, but may adopt or amend a Bylaw that increases
the number of directors.









                                       11

                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.5
                            ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

                                       OF

                           ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, LLC

                       A Nevada Limited Liability Company


         We, the undersigned,  pursuant to the Nevada Revised Statutes governing
limited liability companies, hereby adopt the following Articles of Organization
for a limited liability company:


                                    ARTICLE I
                                      NAME

         The name of the limited liability company is Anagram International, LLC
(the "Company").


                                   ARTICLE II
                                    DURATION

         The period of duration of this Company shall be thirty (30) years.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                     PURPOSE

         This Company is organized to carry on any lawful business  permitted by
Nevada law and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                PLACE OF BUSINESS

         The  address of the office  where its  records  will be  maintained  as
required by NRS 86.241 is:

                      c/o Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw
                      3800 Howard Hughes Parkway
                      Seventh Floor
                      Las Vegas, Nevada  89109

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE V
                                 RESIDENT AGENT

         The name and business address of the resident agent of this Company is:

                      Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw
                      Seventh Floor
                      3800 Howard Hughes Parkway
                      Las Vegas, Nevada  89109


                                   ARTICLE VI
                               ADDITIONAL MEMBERS

         Additional  members  may be  admitted by the Members as provided in the
Operating Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  CONTINUATION

         Upon the  death,  retirement,  resignation,  expulsion,  bankruptcy  or
dissolution  of a member or the  occurrence of any other event which  terminates
the continued  membership of a member in this Company, the remaining members may
unanimously  agree to continue  the  business of this Company as provided in the
Operating Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                   MANAGEMENT

         This Company  shall be managed by a manager or managers.  The following
managers  shall serve until the first  annual  meeting of members or until their
successors are elected and qualified:

               Name                                   Address
               ----                                   -------
         Jim Plutt                           7700 Anagram Drive
                                             Minneapolis, Minnesota  55344

         Garry Kieves                        7700 Anagram Drive
                                             Minneapolis, Minnesota  55344

         Michaela Kieves                     7700 Anagram Drive
                                             Minneapolis, Minnesota  55344

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                    INDEMNITY

         Section 9.01 Right to Indemnity. Every person who was or is a party, or
is  threatened  to be  made  party  to or is  involved  in any  action,  suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal,  administrative or investigative, by reason
of the fact that he or a person of whom he is the legal representative is or was
a manager or member of this Company, or is or was serving at the request of this
Company as a manager of another  limited  liability  company,  or as a director,
officer or representative in a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other  enterprise,  shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent
legally  permissible  under the laws of the  State of  Nevada  from time to time
against all expenses,  liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments,
fines and  amounts  paid or to be paid in  settlement)  reasonably  incurred  or
suffered by him in connection therewith.  Such right of indemnification shall be
a contract  right which may be enforced  in any manner  desired by such  person.
Such right of  indemnification  shall not be  exclusive of any other right which
such managers,  members or representatives  may have or hereafter acquire,  and,
without  limiting the  generality of such  statement,  they shall be entitled to
their  respective  rights of  indemnification  under any operating  agreement or
other  agreement,  vote of members,  provision of law, or otherwise,  as well as
their rights under this Article.

         Section  9.02  Expenses  Advanced.  Expenses  of  managers  and members
incurred in defending a civil or criminal  action,  suit or proceeding by reason
of any act or omission of such managers or members acting as a manager or member
shall be paid by the  Company as they are  incurred  and in advance of the final
disposition of the action,  suit or proceeding,  upon receipt of any undertaking
by or on behalf of the manager or member to repay the amount if it is ultimately
determined  by a court of competent  jurisdiction  that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Company.

         Section  9.03  Operating  Agreement;  Insurance.  Without  limiting the
application of the foregoing, the members may adopt a provision in the Operating
Agreement from time to time with respect to  indemnification,  to provide at all
times the fullest indemnification  permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada,
and may cause this  Company to purchase  and  maintain  insurance  or make other
financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a manager or member
of this Company as a member or manager of another limited liability company,  or
as its  representative in a corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred
in any such  capacity  or arising  out of such  status,  to the  fullest  extent
permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada,  whether or not this Company would
have the power to indemnify such person.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         The  indemnification  and  advancement  of  expenses  provided  in this
Article  shall  continue  for a person who has  ceased to be a member,  manager,
employee  or agent,  and  inures to the  benefit  of the  heirs,  executors  and
administrators of such a person.


                                    ARTICLE X
                             RETURN OF CONTRIBUTIONS

         A member may only demand cash in return for his or its  contribution to
capital,  but the  Company  may  require  a member  to  accept  cash,  property,
promissory  notes  or  any  combination  thereof  in  return  for  the  member's
contribution to capital.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have  hereunto  set our hands this 20th day of
October 1994.

                                        Members:


                                        ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                        A Minnesota corporation


                                        By: /s/Jim Plutt
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Jim Plutt, Secretary


                                        ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
                                        A Minnesota corporation


                                        By: /s/Jim Plutt
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Jim Plutt, Secretary





                                       4
<PAGE>




STATE OF MINNESOTA )
                   )   ss.
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN )


         On this 20th day of October, 1994, there personally appeared before me,
a notary public, JIM PLUTT,  personally known (or proved) to me to be the person
whose name is subscribed to the above instrument, who acknowledged to me that he
executed the foregoing Articles of Organization.



 /s/ Patricia A. Morris
- ---------------------------------------                [SEAL]
     Notary Public










                                       5

                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.6







                               OPERATING AGREEMENT

                                       OF

                           ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, LLC

                       A Nevada Limited Liability Company






<PAGE>


                               OPERATING AGREEMENT

                                       OF

                           ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, LLC

                       A Nevada Limited Liability Company

                                Table of Contents

                                                                            Page

ARTICLE I    OFFICES.....................................................     1
     1.1      Principal Office...........................................     1

ARTICLE II   PURPOSE.....................................................     1
     2.1      Purpose....................................................     1

ARTICLE III  CAPITAL.....................................................     1
     3.1      Initial Capital............................................     1
     3.2      Capital Accounts...........................................     2
     3.3      Federal Income Tax Elections...............................     3
     3.4      Invested Capital...........................................     3
     3.5      Interest...................................................     3
     3.6      Additional Capital Contribution............................     3
     3.7      Membership Interest........................................     4

ARTICLE IV   MEMBERS.....................................................     4
     4.1      Powers.....................................................     4
     4.2      Salaries to Members........................................     4
     4.3      Other Ventures.............................................     5
     4.4      General Restrictions.......................................     5
     4.5      Action by the Members; Meetings; Quorum; Majority..........     5
     4.6      Action By Written Consent..................................     5
     4.7      Place of Meetings of Members...............................     6
     4.8      Annual Meetings............................................     6
     4.9      Annual Meetings; Notice....................................     6
     4.10     Special Meetings...........................................     6
     4.11     Waiver of Notice...........................................     6
     4.12     Adjourned Meetings And Notice Thereof......................     7
     4.13     Delegation of Authority To Members and Managers............     7
     4.14     Admission of New Members...................................     7
     4.15     Member Loans...............................................     7

                                       i
<PAGE>

     4.16     Deadlock...................................................     7

ARTICLE V    TRANSFER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS..............................     8
     5.1      Transfer of Members' Interests.............................     8
     5.2      No Transfer Permitted Under Certain Circumstances..........     9
     5.3      Right of First Refusal.....................................     9
     5.4      Authority of the Company to Purchase Interest..............    12
     5.5      Representations and Warranties of the Members..............    12
     5.6      Transferee's Invested Capital..............................    13

ARTICLE VI   MANAGERS....................................................    13
     6.1      Election...................................................    13
     6.2      Removal, Resignation and Vacancies.........................    13
     6.3      Managers' Powers...........................................    14
     6.4      Bank Accounts..............................................    14

ARTICLE VII  PROFITS AND LOSSES..........................................    14
     7.1      Net Profits and Losses.....................................    14
     7.2      Allocations of Deductions..................................    15
     7.3      Special Allocations........................................    15
     7.4      Curative Allocations.......................................    16
     7.5      Federal Income Tax.........................................    17

ARTICLE VIII DISTRIBUTIONS...............................................    17
     8.1      Operating Distributions....................................    17
     8.2      Payment of Member Loans....................................    17
     8.3      Distribution on Dissolution and Liquidation................    17

ARTICLE IX   ACCOUNTING AND RECORDS......................................    17
     9.1      Records and Accounting.....................................    17
     9.2      Access to Accounting Records...............................    18
     9.3      Annual Tax Information.....................................    18
     9.4      Reports to Members.........................................    18

ARTICLE X    TERM........................................................    18

ARTICLE XI   DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPANY AND TERMINATION OF A 
             MEMBER'S INTEREST...........................................    18
     11.1     Dissolution................................................    18
     11.2     Death of a Member; Continuation............................    19
     11.3     Option To Purchase Deceased Member's Interest..............    19
     11.4     Bankruptcy.................................................    19

                                       ii
<PAGE>

ARTICLE XII  TRUST MEMBERS...............................................    20
     12.1     Trustee Liability..........................................    20
     12.2     Status of Successor Trustees as Members....................    20

ARTICLE XIII INDEMNIFICATION.............................................    20
     13.1     Indemnity..................................................    20
     13.2     Indemnity for Actions By or In the Right of the Company....    21
     13.3     Indemnity If Successful....................................    21
     13.4     Expenses...................................................    21
     13.5     Advance Payment of Expenses................................    21
     13.6     Other Arrangements Not Excluded............................    22
                                                                         
ARTICLE XIV  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS....................................    22
     14.1     Complete Agreement.........................................    22
     14.2     Amendments.................................................    22
     14.3     Applicable Law.............................................    23
     14.4     Headings...................................................    23
     14.5     Severability...............................................    23
     14.6     Expenses...................................................    23
     14.7     Heirs, Successors and Assigns..............................    23
     14.8     Execution..................................................    23
     14.9     Power of Attorney..........................................    23













                                      iii
<PAGE>


                               OPERATING AGREEMENT

                                       OF

                           ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, LLC

                       A Nevada Limited Liability Company


         This Operating Agreement is made and entered into as of the 24th day of
October 1994 by and between the  undersigned  Members of Anagram  International,
LLC.


                                    ARTICLE I
                                     OFFICES

1.1      Principal Office

         The  principal  office of Anagram  International,  LLC (the  "Company")
shall be 7700  Anagram  Drive,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota  55344.  The Members may
change said principal office at any time from one location to another.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                     PURPOSE

2.1      Purpose

         The purpose of the Company  shall be to serve as a holding  company for
companies that distribute  products.  Any business beyond the business described
herein shall require the unanimous written consent of the Members.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                     CAPITAL

3.1      Initial Capital

         The  initial  capital of the  Company  shall be the sums of cash or the
agreed fair market value of the property or services  (or  combination  of cash,
property and services) contributed to the Company by the Members in such amounts
or value as are set out  opposite  the name of each of the Members on Schedule A
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference which shall be amended
from time to time by the  Managers  to  reflect a current  list of the names and
addresses  of each current  member.  A transfer of any  Membership  Interest (as
defined herein) shall not be effective until it has been recorded in the records
of the Company.

<PAGE>

3.2      Capital Accounts

         Capital   Accounts  shall  be   established  on  the  Company's   books
representing the Members' respective capital  contributions to the Company.  The
term "Capital Account" shall mean the capital account maintained for such Member
in accordance with the following provisions:

                   (a)      Each Member's Capital Account shall be increased by:

                            (1) The  amount  of the  Member's  cash  or  in-kind
                  capital  contributions  to the Company pursuant to Section 3.1
                  above;

                            (2)  The  fair   market   value   of  any   property
                  contributed  by the Member to the Company (net of  liabilities
                  secured by any such  contributed  property that the Company is
                  considered  to  assume  or take  subject  to for  purposes  of
                  Section 752 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended
                  from time to time [the "Code"]);

                            (3) The  amount of Net  Profits  (or items  thereof)
                  allocated to the Member pursuant to Article VII below; and

                            (4) Any other increases  required by the regulations
                  promulgated  by the U.S.  Department of the Treasury under the
                  Code, and as may be amended from time to time ("Regulations").
                  If Section 704(c) of the Code applies to property  contributed
                  by a Member to the Company, then the Members' Capital Accounts
                  shall be  adjusted  in  accordance  with  Regulations  Section
                  1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g).

                   (b) Each Member's Capital Account shall be decreased by:

                            (1) The amount of Net Losses allocated to the Member
                  pursuant to Article VII below;
                 
                            (2) All amounts  paid or  distributed  to the Member
                  pursuant to Article VIII hereof;  other than amounts  required
                  to be treated as a payment for property or services  under the
                  Code;

                            (3)  The  fair   market   value   of  any   property
                  distributed  in kind  to the  Member  (net of any  liabilities
                  secured  by such  distributed  property  that  such  Member is
                  considered  to  assume  or take  subject  to for  purposes  of
                  Section 752 of the Code); and

                            (4) Any other decreases required by the Regulations.

                           Before  decreasing  a Member's  Capital  Account  (as
         described  above) with respect to the  distribution  of any property to
         such  Member,  all Members'  accounts  shall be adjusted to reflect the
         manner  in which the  unrealized  income,  gain,  loss,  and  deduction
         inherent in such property  (that has not been  previously  reflected in
         the Members' Capital  Accounts) would be allocated among the Members if
         there were a taxable disposition of such property by the Company on the
         date  of   distribution,   in  accordance  with   Regulations   Section
         1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e).

                                       2
<PAGE>

                   (c) In  determining  the amount of any liability for purposes
         of Sections 3.2(a) and 3.2(b) hereof, there shall be taken into account
         Code Section 752(c) and any other applicable provisions of the Code and
         any Regulations promulgated thereunder.

                   (d) Members' Capital Accounts shall be adjusted in accordance
         with,  and upon the  occurrence  of an event  described in  Regulations
         Section  1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f),  including  the  addition of new Members
         pursuant to Section  4.14 hereof or the receipt of  additional  capital
         contributions  pursuant to Section 3.6 hereof, to reflect a revaluation
         of the Company's assets on the Company's books. Such adjustments to the
         Members'  Capital Accounts shall be made in accordance with Regulations
         Section   1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g)   for   allocations   of   depreciation,
         depletion,  amortization and gain or loss with respect to such revalued
         property.

                   (e)  All  provisions  of  this  Agreement   relating  to  the
         maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations
         Section  1.704-1(b),  and shall be interpreted  and applied in a manner
         consistent   with  such   Regulations.   The  Members  shall  make  any
         appropriate  modifications  in the  event  unanticipated  events  might
         otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with  Regulations  Section
         1.704-1(b).

3.3      Federal Income Tax Elections

         The Company may make all  elections  for federal  income tax  purposes,
including  but not  limited to an  election,  pursuant to Code  Section  754, to
adjust the basis of the Company's  assets under Code Sections 734 or 743. In the
event an election pursuant to Code Section 754 is made by the Company,  upon the
adjustment to the basis of the Company's  assets,  the Members' Capital Accounts
shall be adjusted in accordance  with the  requirements  of  Regulation  Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m).

3.4      Invested Capital

         The  "Invested  Capital"  of a  Member  shall  be the  sum of any  cash
contributed  by said Member to the  Company,  and the fair  market  value of any
property  contributed  by said  Member to the  Company,  less the  amount of any
liabilities  of such  Member  assumed  by the  Company  or which are  secured by
property  contributed by such Member to the Company.  In the event the Company's
assets are revalued pursuant to Section 3.2(d) hereof resulting in an adjustment
to the Members' Capital  Accounts,  the Members'  "Invested  Capital" shall, for
purposes of this  Agreement,  be deemed to be each Member's  respective  Capital
Account balance immediately after such revaluation.

3.5      Interest

         No interest  shall be paid or credited to the Members on their  Capital
Accounts or upon any undistributed profits left on deposit with the Company.

3.6      Additional Capital Contribution

         In no  event  shall  any  Member  be  required  to make  an  additional
contribution  to the  Company.  However,  the Members  authorize  the Company to
receive  additional  capital  contributions  and the Company  may  solicit  such
contributions  from the  Members in an amount  authorized  by the  Members  (the
"Amount Solicited").  The Company shall send a notice of solicitation to all the
Members, and 

                                       3
<PAGE>

each Member wishing to make an additional capital  contribution (a "Contributing
Member")  shall so notify the  Company in  writing  within  three (3) days after
delivery of the notice,  indicating  the amount such Member offers to contribute
(the "Offer to Contribute"). Unless the Members otherwise agree, if Contributing
Members' Offers to Contribute  exceed the Amount  Solicited,  each  Contributing
Member shall be entitled to contribute  the  proportion of the Amount  Solicited
that such Contributing Member's Invested Capital,  determined immediately before
the solicitation for capital contributions, bears to the Invested Capital of all
the  Contributing  Members.  If the  Contributing  Members do not make Offers to
Contribute the entire Amount Solicited, the Company may, at its option, elect to
accept  the  Offers to  Contribute  it has  received  or reject  such  Offers to
Contribute and cancel the solicitation.

3.7      Membership Interest

         The  "Membership  Interest" of a Member shall be such Member's right in
the profits and losses of the Company and the right to receive  distributions of
the Company's assets.  Membership  Interest is equivalent to a Member's Invested
Capital.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                     MEMBERS

4.1      Powers

         Subject  to  the  provisions  of the  Articles  of  Organization,  this
Operating  Agreement and the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes  ("NRS"),
all powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and
affairs of the Company shall be controlled by, the Managers.  Without  prejudice
to such  general  powers,  but  subject  to the same  limitations,  it is hereby
expressly declared that the Members shall have the following powers:

                   (a) To  select  and  remove  all  Managers  of  the  Company,
         prescribe  such  powers and duties for them as may be  consistent  with
         law, with the Articles of Organization or this Operating Agreement, fix
         their  compensation,  and  require  from  them  security  for  faithful
         service.

                   (b) To change the  principal  office of this Company from one
         location  to  another;  to fix and locate from time to time one or more
         subsidiary  offices of the Company;  and to designate any place for the
         holding of any Members' meeting or meetings.

4.2      Salaries to Members

         The  Company  shall have  authority  to pay to any Member a  reasonable
salary for said  Member's  services to the Company.  It is  understood  that the
salary  paid to any  Member  under  the  provisions  of this  Section  shall  be
determined  without  regard to the income of the Company and shall be considered
as an operating  expense of the Company and shall be deducted as an expense item
in determining the net profits and losses of the Company.

4.3      Other Ventures

         It is expressly agreed that the Members,  or any of them, may engage in
other  business  ventures  of every  nature and  description,  whether or not in
competition  with the Company,  independently  or 


                                       4
<PAGE>

with  others,  and neither the Company nor the Members  shall have any rights in
and to any  independent  venture or  activity  or the income or profits  derived
therefrom.

4.4      General Restrictions

         No Member or Manager, as described in Article VI hereof, shall have the
right,  power or  authority  to do any of the  following  acts without the prior
written consent of all the Members:

                   (a) expend or use any Company  money or property  except upon
         the account of and for the benefit of the Company;

                   (b) mortgage,  lease, pledge, or otherwise dispose of all, or
         substantially  all,  of the  assets of the  Company,  other than in the
         ordinary course of business;

                   (c) pledge any of the Company's  credit or property for other
         than Company purposes;

                   (d) compromise,  settle,  or release any debt due the Company
         except upon full payment  thereof or except in the  ordinary  course of
         business;

                   (e) assign the  Company's  property in trust for creditors or
         on the assignee's promise to pay the debts of the Company;

                   (f) confess a judgment  against the  Company,  the  Company's
         property, or any of the Members;

                   (g) dispose of any of the  goodwill of the Company  business;
         or

                   (h) do any other act which would make it  impossible to carry
         on the ordinary business of the Company.

4.5      Action by the Members; Meetings; Quorum; Majority

         Management  of the Company is vested in, and all actions of the Members
are taken by the Members in proportion to their Membership Interests at the time
of the action taken.  Except as  specifically  otherwise  provided  herein,  the
Members  vote,  approve a matter or take any  action by the vote of Members at a
meeting, in person or by proxy, or without a meeting by written consent. For any
meeting of Members,  the  presence in person or by proxy of Members  owning more
than 50% of the outstanding Membership Interests at the time of the action taken
(a "Majority")  constitutes a quorum for the  transaction  of business.  Members
vote in proportion  to their  Membership  Interests and an action  approved at a
meeting by Members  owning  more than 50% of the  Membership  Interests  of that
quorum shall be the action of the Members.

4.6      Action By Written Consent

         Except as  otherwise  provided  herein,  any action may be taken by the
Members  without a meeting  if  authorized  by the  written  consent  of Members
holding at least a  Majority.  In no  instance  


                                       5
<PAGE>

where  action is  authorized  by  written  consent  need a meeting of Members be
called or noticed.  However,  a copy of the action taken by written consent must
be immediately sent to all Members.

4.7      Place of Meetings of Members

         The first meeting of the Members shall be held at the principal  office
of the Company set forth in the Articles of  Organization.  All annual  meetings
and special meetings of the Members shall be held at any place designated by the
Members, or, if no such place is designated, then at the principal office of the
Company.

4.8      Annual Meetings

         The annual  meeting of the Members  shall be held on such date and time
as determined by the Managers.

4.9      Annual Meetings; Notice

         Written  notice of each annual  meeting  signed by a Manager or by such
other person or persons as the Members shall  designate,  shall be given to each
Member  entitled to vote at the meeting,  either  personally or by mall or other
means of written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to such Member at his
address appearing on the books of the Company or given by him to the Company for
the purpose of notice.  If a Member gives no address,  notice shall be deemed to
have been  given  him if sent by mail or other  means of  written  communication
addressed  to the place where the  principal  office of the Company is situated.
All such notices shall be sent to each Member entitled thereto not less than ten
(10) nor more than sixty (60)  calendar  days before each  annual  meeting,  and
shall specify the place, the day and the hour of such meeting.

4.10     Special Meetings

         Special   meetings  of  the  Members,   for  any  purpose  or  purposes
whatsoever,  may be called at any time by a Manager  or by  Members  holding  in
excess of twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding  Membership Interests.  Except
in special  cases where other  express  provision is made by statute,  notice of
such special  meetings shall be given in the same manner as for annual  meetings
of Members.  Notices of any special  meeting shall  specify,  in addition to the
place,  day and hour of such  meetings  the  purpose or  purposes  for which the
meeting is called.

4.11     Waiver of Notice

         The  transactions  of any meeting of the  Members,  however  called and
noticed or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held
after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present,  and if, either before or
after the  meeting,  each of the Members not present  signs a written  waiver of
notice or a consent  to  holding  such  meeting or an  approval  of the  minutes
thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the records
or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

                                       6
<PAGE>

4.12     Adjourned Meetings And Notice Thereof

         Any  Members'  meeting,  annual or special,  whether or not a quorum is
present,  may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a Majority,  present
in  person or  represented  by proxy,  but in the  absence  of a quorum no other
business may be transacted at any such meeting.  Other than by  announcement  at
the meeting at which such  adjournment  is taken,  it shall not be  necessary to
give any notice of an  adjournment  or of the  business to be  transacted  at an
adjourned meeting. However, when any Members' meeting, either annual or special,
is adjourned for thirty (30) days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall
be given as in the case of an original meeting.

4.13     Delegation of Authority To Members and Managers

         Any one or more of the  Managers  or Members  may at any time or times,
and for such period as the Members shall  determine,  be delegated the authority
to determine questions relating to specific areas of the conduct, operation, and
management  of the Company.  Until such  direction or delegation of authority is
made,  however,  the Members and Managers  shall have the authority set forth in
this Article IV and Article VI below and that given them by the Members.

4.14     Admission of New Members

         New  Members  may be admitted  to  membership  in the Company  with the
consent of a Majority (as defined in Section 4.5) of the existing Members. A new
Member  must agree to be bound by the terms and  provisions  of the  Articles of
Organization and this Operating  Agreement,  as amended,  and upon admission the
new Member shall have all rights and duties of a Member of this Company.

4.15     Member Loans

         The Members may from time to time  approve of a loan by a Member to the
Company.  Such loans  ("Member  Loans") shall be repaid to the lending Member in
accordance with the terms of the instrument or agreement  executed in connection
with such  Member  Loan.  Unless  by its terms  such  Member  Loan is  expressly
subordinated, the Member Loan shall be equal in priority to, and rank pari passu
with, all other secured or unsecured liabilities of the Company, as appropriate.

4.16     Deadlock

                   (a) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Major Decision"
         shall mean any action (or  election  not to act) by or on behalf of the
         Company which may have, or which may be anticipated to have, a material
         effect on the business and operation of the Company, including, without
         limitation, any matters materially affecting the ownership,  operation,
         development,  construction,  financing,  marketing and sale of any real
         property owned by the Company.  Major Decisions shall include,  without
         limitation,  any contract or related series of contracts having a value
         in excess of Twenty Thousand Dollars  ($20,000) and any Member Loans or
         other  loans to be  obtained  by or on behalf of the  Company,  whether
         secured or unsecured.

                   (b)  All  Major  Decisions  shall  be  subject  to the  prior
         approval of a majority of the  Managers.  In the event the Managers are
         evenly  divided with respect to a Major  Decision and a majority of the
         Managers  are  unable to agree with  respect  to a  proposed  


                                       7
<PAGE>

         course  of action  concerning such Major  Decision,  the Managers shall
         immediately call a special  meeting  ("Election  Meeting")  pursuant to
         Section  4.10  hereof  at  which  the  Managers  shall  resign  and new
         Managers shall be elected.

                   (c) In the event the Members, pursuant to a Majority thereof,
         are unable to elect  Managers  at the  Election  Meeting,  or any other
         meeting,  or elect  Managers  who  continue to be evenly  divided  with
         respect to a Major  Decision,  a  deadlock  (the  "Deadlock")  shall be
         deemed to exist.

                   (d) For a period of thirty (30) days after a Deadlock occurs,
         a Majority of the Members (the  "Offering  Members")  may, upon written
         notice to the  remaining  Members (the  "Offering  Notice"),  propose a
         price per each one percent  (1%) of  outstanding  Membership  Interests
         (the  "Offering  Price") at which the  Offering  Members are willing to
         either  (i) sell to the  other  Members  all of the  Offering  Members'
         Membership  Interests or (ii)  purchase  from the other  Members all of
         their  Membership  Interests,  subject  to the terms of this  Operating
         Agreement.  The  other  Members  shall  have a period of three (3) days
         after  delivery of the  Offering  Notice in which to elect,  by written
         notice to the Offering  Members (the  "Response  Notice") to either (i)
         purchase all of the Membership Interests of the Offering Members at the
         Offering  Price or (ii) sell all of their  Membership  Interests to the
         Offering  Members at the  Offering  Price.  Such  transaction  shall be
         consummated  within five (5) days after delivery of the Response Notice
         and the purchase price for the  Membership  Interests sold or purchased
         shall be payable pursuant to the terms set forth in Section  5.3(c)(ii)
         below.

                   (e) Should a  transaction  not be  consummated  pursuant to a
         Response  Notice as set forth in Section  4.16(d)  above within  thirty
         (30) days after a Deadlock  occurs,  the Deadlock  shall then become an
         event of dissolution  under Section 11.1 below and the Company shall be
         dissolved pursuant to Article XI of this Operating Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE V
                         TRANSFER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS

5.1      Transfer of Members' Interests

         The  Membership  Interest  of each  Member of this  Company is personal
property. Except as otherwise provided in this Operating Agreement, the transfer
of a Member's  Membership  Interest is  restricted.  The  transfer of a Member's
Membership   Interest  shall  include  a  gift,  sale,   transfer,   assignment,
hypothecation,  pledge, encumbrance or any other disposition,  whether voluntary
or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, including, without limitation,
any transfer  occurring  upon or by virtue of the  bankruptcy or insolvency of a
Member; the appointment of a receiver,  trustee or conservator or guardian for a
Member  or his  property;  or  pursuant  to the will of a Member  or the laws of
descent and  distribution  in the event of a Member's  death;  pursuant to court
order in the event of divorce, marital dissolution,  legal separation or similar
proceedings;  or pursuant to any loan or security  agreement  under which any of
the Member's Membership  Interests are pledged or otherwise serve as collateral,
as well as the transfer of any such Membership Interest in the event recourse is
made to such collateral.

                                       8
<PAGE>

         If a Majority of the other Members,  other than the Member proposing to
dispose  of  his  Membership  Interest   ("Transferring   Member")  and  without
considering  the  Transferring  Member's  Membership  Interest as outstanding in
determining such a Majority, do not approve of a proposed transfer or assignment
by written consent,  the transferee of the Member's  Membership  Interest has no
right to  participate  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs of the
Company or to become a Member.  The  transferee  is only entitled to receive the
share of  profits  or other  compensation  by way of  income  and the  return of
contributions,  to which the Transferring Member would otherwise be entitled. If
the  transfer is  approved by a Majority of the other  Members of the Company by
written consent,  the transferee has all the rights and powers and is subject to
all  the  restrictions  and  liabilities  of his  assignor,  has  the  right  to
participate  in the  management  of the  business and affairs of the Company and
becomes a substituted Member.

5.2      No Transfer Permitted Under Certain Circumstances

         Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement,  a Member shall
not transfer all or any part of his  Membership  Interest if such transfer would
cause the  termination  of the Company for federal  income tax purposes or would
violate any applicable federal or state securities laws.

5.3      Right of First Refusal

         Except as otherwise provided in this Operating Agreement or the laws of
the State of Nevada, no Member shall during the term of this Operating Agreement
transfer all or any portion of his Membership Interest, or any interest therein,
whether  now  owned or  hereafter  acquired  without  first  complying  with the
requirements  of this Operating  Agreement,  unless such Member shall first give
the Company and, if appropriate  hereunder,  the other Member(s) the opportunity
to purchase or acquire all or a portion of such Member's interest proposed to be
disposed of in accordance with the following provisions:

                   (a) In the event  that any Member  shall  receive a bona fide
         offer for the transfer of all or part of his  Membership  Interest (the
         "Proposed Transfer") (the Transferring Member shall have the obligation
         to prove that an offer is bona fide) and  desires to accept such offer,
         or in the event that any Member shall otherwise  desire to transfer all
         or part of such Member's Membership  Interest,  the Member shall, prior
         to  accepting  such offer,  give the  Managers  of the Company  written
         notice of intention to make a transfer. Such notice shall set forth the
         name  of  the  proposed  transferee(s),  the  interest  proposed  to be
         disposed of (the "Offered Interest"),  the price, the terms of payment,
         all other material terms of the proposed  transaction and shall specify
         a mailing  address for  purposes of any return  notice  hereunder.  The
         Company  shall  have the  option for a period of ten (10) days from the
         actual  receipt of such  notice to agree to  purchase or acquire all or
         any portion of the Offered Interest, on the same terms as those offered
         to the  proposed  transferee,  subject to Section  5.3(c)  hereof.  The
         Company may  exercise  this option to purchase  only by giving  written
         notice to the Transferring Member.

                   (b) If the Company  declines or fails to exercise  its option
         to  purchase  or acquire  all or any  portion of the  Offered  Interest
         pursuant to Section  5.3(a) above,  or is legally  unable to do so, the
         Transferring  Member  shall give  written  notice to the other  Members
         containing  the  same  information  as set  forth in the  notice  given
         pursuant to Section 5.3(a) 


                                       9
<PAGE>

         above and further  setting forth the Offered  Interest that the Company
         has not agreed to purchase or acquire. The Members receiving the notice
         shall in turn have ten (10) days from the actual receipt of such notice
         to agree to  purchase  or acquire  all or any  portion  of the  Offered
         Interest that the Company has not agreed to purchase or acquire, on the
         same terms and conditions as those offered to the proposed  transferee,
         subject to Section 5.3(c)  hereof.  The other Members may exercise this
         option to purchase only by giving  written  notice to the  Transferring
         Member.  In the  event  that  more  than one  person  has an  option to
         purchase  hereunder,  such persons may exercise such option pro rata in
         accordance with their respective Membership Interests,  and if any such
         person  declines  or fails to  purchase  his pro  rata  portion  of the
         Offered Interest, or any portion thereof, the other persons having such
         option  shall  have the  right to  purchase  that  portion  pro rata in
         accordance with their respective  Membership Interests (or otherwise by
         agreement).

                   (c) The terms of any  acquisition  pursuant  to  Section  5.3
         hereof shall be as follows:

                            (1) In the event that a proposed  transferee  of any
                  Offered  Interest has offered to acquire such Offered Interest
                  for a  consideration  consisting in whole or in part of assets
                  other than cash, cash  equivalents or unsecured (other than by
                  the Offered  Interest)  promissory  notes,  any persons having
                  options to purchase or acquire such Offered Interest  pursuant
                  to  Sections  5.3(a) and 5.3(b)  above shall be deemed to have
                  agreed to purchase or acquire  such  Offered  Interest "on the
                  same terms as those  offered to the  proposed  transferee"  if
                  such  persons  agree  to  pay  in  a  lump  sum  (or  in  cash
                  installments  as  permitted by Section  5.3(c)(ii))  an amount
                  equal  to  the  fair  market  value  of  such  other  form  of
                  consideration.   The  fair   market   value   of  such   other
                  consideration shall be as follows:

                                     (A)  If  such  other   consideration  is  a
                           security  publicly traded in the United States in the
                           over-the-counter   market   and  not  on  the  Nasdaq
                           National  Market  nor  on  any  national   securities
                           exchange,  the  closing  per share bid price for such
                           security on the trading day immediately preceding the
                           day of the closing on the purchase or  acquisition of
                           the  Offered  Interests,  as reported by Nasdaq or an
                           equivalent generally accepted reporting service;

                                     (B)  If  such  other   consideration  is  a
                           security  publicly traded in the United States on the
                           Nasdaq  National  Market or on a national  securities
                           exchange,  the  per  share  closing  price  for  such
                           security  on the  Nasdaq  National  Market  or on the
                           principal stock exchange on which it is listed on the
                           trading  day  immediately  preceding  the  day of the
                           closing on the purchase or acquisition of the Offered
                           Interests; such closing price being the last reported
                           sale  price,  or in the  case no such  reported  sale
                           takes place on such day,  the average of the reported
                           closing bid and asked  prices,  in either case in the
                           Nasdaq National  Market or on the principal  national
                           securities  exchange  on which the  security  is then
                           listed;

                                     (C) If such other consideration is an asset
                           (other than a security specified in clause (A) or (B)
                           above)  having  a  readily   determinable   value  by

                                       10
<PAGE>

                           reference to a generally accepted published reporting
                           source or service, the last sale price for such asset
                           reported by such source or service during the trading
                           day  immediately  preceding the day of the closing on
                           the purchase or acquisition of the Offered Interests;
                           or

                                     (D) In all other cases, the appraised value
                           of such other  consideration  will be determined by a
                           qualified   independent  appraiser  selected  by  the
                           mutual  agreement of the  Transferring  Member on the
                           one hand and a Majority of the other Member(s) on the
                           other hand.  In such  event,  a copy of the notice of
                           intent  to make a  disposition  shall be sent to each
                           other  Member at the same time as such notice is sent
                           to the Company.  In the event that the Members cannot
                           mutually  agree on an appraiser  within  fifteen (15)
                           days after the notice of intent to make a disposition
                           is  actually  received  by the  Company,  a qualified
                           appraiser   shall  be   appointed   by  the  American
                           Arbitration  Association  in Las Vegas,  Nevada.  The
                           appraised value of such other  consideration shall be
                           final and  binding on all parties  hereto.  All costs
                           associated with such an appraisal,  including without
                           limitation   appraisal  fees  and  the  fees  of  the
                           American  Arbitration  Association,  if any, shall be
                           paid by the Transferring  Member. The time period set
                           forth  herein  shall  be  tolled  until  the  Company
                           actually  receives a copy of the appraiser's  report,
                           in accordance with the notice  provisions  hereof,  a
                           copy of which  report  shall  accompany  all  notices
                           given by the Transferring Member.

                            (2) The Company and each of the other  Members shall
                  be permitted,  at its or their option,  to purchase all or any
                  portion of the Offered  Interest in exchange  for a promissory
                  note in the principal  amount of the purchase price payable in
                  not  more  than  sixty  (60)  equal  monthly  installments  of
                  principal  and  interest  with  interest  at the prime rate of
                  interest  charged by Bank of America  Nevada on the closing of
                  the  acquisition  or purchase  plus two percent (2%) per annum
                  (or any lower rate offered by the proposed  transferee) but in
                  any event not in excess of the maximum  rate of interest  then
                  permitted by  applicable  law. Any such note or notes shall be
                  secured by the Offered Interest purchased in exchange therefor
                  and shall be prepayable without penalty in whole or in part at
                  any  time.  Prior to the  payment  in full of any such note or
                  notes,  no  distributions  or  other  payments  shall  be made
                  directly or indirectly by the Company to the remaining Members
                  or any person or entities  relating to the  remaining  Members
                  (other than  payments  incurred in the ordinary  course of the
                  Company's   business)   unless   and   to  the   extent   such
                  distributions or other payments are applied toward  prepayment
                  of such note or notes.

                   (d) The purchase of the Offered  Interest  shall be closed at
         the time  specified in the notice from the  Transferring  Member as the
         time set for the  closing  of the  proposed  transfer,  but in no event
         earlier than thirty (30) days following the exercise or expiration,  as
         the case may be, of the last available option to purchase.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                   (e) If all of the Offered  Interests are not purchased by the
         Company or the Members,  or both,  pursuant to the options provided for
         above,  then such  unpurchased  portion of the  Offered  Interest  may,
         subject to this Operating Agreement and applicable laws, be transferred
         within ten (10) days from the date on which the last  available  option
         to purchase  above expires to the person and on the terms  specified in
         the notice of intention to make a disposition.  Such  transferee  shall
         receive and hold such Membership Interest subject to all provisions and
         restrictions  of this  Operating  Agreement,  except  that  neither the
         Company nor any other  Member shall be required to purchase any of such
         Membership  Interest from such transferee or any subsequent  transferee
         pursuant to Section 5.3 hereof,  and except that no such  transferee or
         subsequent  transferee  shall have any rights to  purchase  any Offered
         Interest  pursuant to this  Operating  Agreement.  Any  transfer of the
         Offered  Interest  after  the end of such ten (10)  day  period  or any
         material  change in the terms of the Proposed  Transfer  from the terms
         set  forth  in the  original  notice  shall  require  a new  notice  of
         intention  to  make  a  transfer.  Any  transfer  in  violation  of any
         provision of this Agreement shall be void and ineffectual and shall not
         operate to transfer any interest or title to the purported transferee.

                   (f)   Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  hereof  to  the
         contrary,  neither the Company nor any Member will be required to close
         on the purchase or acquisition of any Membership Interest in accordance
         therewith unless the representations and warranties of the Transferring
         Member  shall be true and  correct in all  material  respects as of the
         date of such  closing,  and the  Transferring  Member  shall  deliver a
         certificate  to such effect to the  purchasing  parties dated as of the
         closing date. Any such Membership Interest not purchased or acquired as
         a  result  of such a breach  may not be  disposed  of to the  otherwise
         proposed transferee(s).

                   (g) Any notice  required to be given in accordance  with this
         section  shall be hand  delivered to the Manager of the Company by hand
         or via overnight courier at the principal office of the Company.

5.4      Authority of the Company to Purchase Interest

         All rights and  obligations  of the Company to purchase any  Membership
Interest of a Member are subject to the  restrictions  set forth in the statutes
of the State of Nevada, if any, and to such other applicable restrictions as are
now or may  hereafter  become  effective.  Any  redemption  of  such  Membership
Interest  by the  Company  shall be made  only out of  funds  legally  available
therefor.

5.5      Representations and Warranties of the Members

         Each of the  Members  represents  and  warrants  to the Company and the
other Members with respect to himself as follows:

                   (a)  Such  Member  is the  lawful  owner  of and has the full
         right, power and authority to sell, transfer and deliver the Membership
         Interest of the Company set forth next to his name on Schedule A hereto
         and the sale, transfer and delivery of such Membership Interests of the
         Company in accordance therewith will transfer good and marketable title
         thereto free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,  claims or rights of
         third 


                                       12
<PAGE>

         parties  of every  kind and  nature  whatsoever,  subject  only to  the
         provisions of this Operating Agreement.

                   (b) The  Membership  Interests  of the Company  owned by such
         Member as set forth on Schedule A hereto have been duly  authorized and
         are  fully  paid and non  assessable.  There are no  existing  options,
         warrants,  calls or commitments  on the part of any Member  relating to
         such  Membership  Interests of the Company which will not be terminated
         concurrently with the execution of this Operating Agreement.  No voting
         agreements  or  restrictions  of any kind other than those set forth in
         this  Operating  Agreement  affect  the  rights of any such  Membership
         Interests of the Company or such Member.

                   (c) Such  Member  has the right and power to enter  into this
         Operating  Agreement,  and this  Operating  Agreement  has  been  fully
         executed and delivered and constitutes the valid and binding obligation
         of such Member.  No consent of any person not a party to this Operating
         Agreement and no consent of any  governmental  authority is required to
         be obtained on the part of such Member in connection  with or resulting
         from the execution or performance of this Operating Agreement.

5.6      Transferee's Invested Capital

         In the  event a  transferee  acquires  all or  part  of the  Membership
Interest of an existing Member or Members, the transferee's Invested Capital and
Capital Account, for purposes of this Operating Agreement, shall be the Invested
Capital and Capital Account of the transferring Member or Members,  with respect
to the Membership Interest acquired by the transferee.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                    MANAGERS

6.1      Election

         The Members  agree that the business of the Company shall be managed by
three (3) Managers. Each Manager of this Company shall be chosen annually by the
Members and each shall hold office until such  Manager  shall resign or shall be
removed or otherwise  disqualified to serve, or the Manager's successor shall be
elected and qualified.

6.2      Removal, Resignation and Vacancies

         The Members  may remove any  Manager,  either with or without  cause in
accordance with the terms of this Operating Agreement. Any Manager may resign at
any time by giving written  notice to the Members.  Any such  resignation  shall
take  effect at the date of the  receipt  of such  notice  or at any later  time
specified therein;  and, unless otherwise  specified therein,  the acceptance of
such  resignation  shall not be necessary to make it effective.  The Members may
replace any vacancy in the office of any Manager.

                                       13
<PAGE>

6.3      Managers' Powers

         The  Managers  shall be the chief  executives  of the Company and each,
individually, shall have the following powers:

                   (a)   Select   and   remove   all   employees,   agents   and
         representatives  of the Company,  prescribe  such powers and duties for
         them as may be consistent  with law, with the Articles of  Organization
         or this Operating Agreement,  fix their compensation,  and require from
         them security for faithful service.

                   (b)  Conduct,  manage and control the affairs and business of
         the Company, and to make such rules and regulations therefor consistent
         with the law,  with the  Articles  of  Organization  or this  Operating
         Agreement.

                   (c)  Change the  principal  office of this  Company  from one
         location  to  another;  to fix and locate from time to time one or more
         subsidiary  offices of the Company;  and to designate any place for the
         holding of any Members' meeting or meetings.

                   (d) Borrow  money and incur  indebtedness  for the purpose of
         the Company, and to cause to be executed and delivered therefor, in the
         Company name, promissory notes, bonds, and debentures.

                   (e) Appoint an executive committee and other committees,  and
         delegate to the executive  committee any of the powers and authority of
         the  Manager  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs of the
         Company. The Manager, in his discretion,  may or may not be a member of
         an executive committee.

 6.4      Bank Accounts

         From time to time,  the  Manager  may  designate  a person or  persons,
whether  such  persons be the Manager or not, to open and  maintain  one or more
bank  accounts;  rent  safety  deposit  boxes or vaults;  sign  checks,  written
directions,  or other  instruments  to  withdraw  all or any  part of the  funds
belonging  to the  Company  and on deposit in any  savings  account or  checking
account;  negotiate and purchase  certificates of deposit,  obtain access to the
Company's safety deposit box or boxes, and, generally, sign such forms on behalf
of the  Company as may be required  to conduct  the  banking  activities  of the
Company.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                               PROFITS AND LOSSES

7.1      Net Profits and Losses

         Subject to the  provisions  of Section 7.4 hereof the "Net  Profits and
Losses" of the Company  for any  Company  taxable  year shall be  allocated  and
credited to the Members'  Capital Accounts in proportion to the Invested Capital
of each  respective  Member as  defined  in Section  3.4  hereof.  The term "Net
Profits  and  Losses"  of the  Company  shall mean the net income or loss of the
Company,  as determined by auditors or accountants  employed by the Company,  in
accordance  with  Section  703 of the  Code,  applied  consistently  with  prior
periods.


                                       14
<PAGE>

7.2      Allocations of Deductions

                   (a)  Company  Nonrecourse  Deductions.  Except  as  otherwise
         required by Sections 7.3 and 7.4 below,  all Nonrecourse  Deductions of
         the  Company  for any  taxable  year shall be shared by the  Members in
         proportion  to their  Invested  Capital on the last day of such taxable
         year.  The amount of  Nonrecourse  Deductions  of the Company  shall be
         determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).

                   (b)  Member  Nonrecourse  Deductions.   Except  as  otherwise
         required  by  Sections  7.3  and  7.4  below,  all  Member  Nonrecourse
         Deductions  of the Company for any taxable  year shall be  allocated in
         accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1). The amount of Member
         Nonrecourse   Deductions   shall  be  determined  in  accordance   with
         Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

7.3      Special Allocations

                   (a) Qualified  Income  Offset.  Except as provided in Section
         7.3(b)  below,  in the  event  any  Member  unexpectedly  receives  any
         adjustments,   allocations  or   distributions   described  in  Section
         1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),  (5)  or  (6) of  the  Regulations,  items  of
         Company  income  and gain  shall be  specially  allocated  to each such
         Member in an amount and manner  sufficient to eliminate,  to the extent
         required by the  Regulations,  the adjusted  capital account deficit of
         such Member as quickly as possible.

                   (b)  Minimum  Gain  Chargeback.   Notwithstanding  any  other
         provision  of this  Section  7.3, if there is a net decrease in Company
         Minimum  Gain during any  Company  fiscal  year,  each Member who would
         otherwise have an adjusted  capital  account deficit at the end of such
         year shall be specially  allocated items of Company income and gain for
         such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount and manner
         sufficient to eliminate such Member's adjusted capital account deficits
         as  quickly  as  possible.  The  items  to be  so  allocated  shall  be
         determined  in  accordance  with  Section  1.704-1(b)(4)(iv)(e)  of the
         Regulations.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this  Section
         7.3(b),  if there is a net  decrease in Minimum  Gain  attributable  to
         Member Nonrecourse Debt during a Company Taxable Year, each Member with
         a share of the Minimum  Gain  attributable  to such member  Nonrecourse
         Debt shall be allocated items of income and gain for such year (and, if
         necessary,  subsequent  years) in accordance with  Regulations  Section
         1.704-(i)(4).  The  items to be so  allocated  shall be  determined  in
         accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).  This Section 7.3(b) is
         intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in such
         sections  of the  Regulations  and  shall be  interpreted  consistently
         therewith.

                   (c) Allocation of Remaining Income and Gains on Sale or Other
         Disposition.  Except as otherwise required by this Section 7.3., income
         and gains arising from the sale,  exchange,  transfer or disposition or
         condemnation  of all or  substantially  all of the  Company's  property
         shall be allocated,  for federal  income tax purposes,  among those who
         shall be Members on the date of such  transaction  or  transactions  as
         follows:

                            (1) If one or more  Members  has a negative  Capital
                  Account  after such  Member's  Capital  Account is adjusted to
                  reflect any  allocation of gains under 


                                       15
<PAGE>

                  Section 7.2(b) above, but before such Member's Capital Account
                  is  adjusted  to reflect any  distribution  under  Section 8.3
                  below,  with respect to the  disposition to which this Section
                  7.3 is being applied, such income and gains shall be allocated
                  to such  Members  in  proportion  to  their  negative  Capital
                  Accounts until each such Member's Capital Account equals zero.

                            (2)  To the  extent  one or  more  Member's  Capital
                  Account  balance  is less than (i) the  total of all  Members'
                  Capital  Account  balances  times (ii) such Member's  Invested
                  Capital in the  Company (a "Capital  Disparity"),  such income
                  and gains shall be allocated  among such Members in proportion
                  to  Capital  Disparities  until  all of the  Members'  Capital
                  Accounts  are, as nearly as possible,  in  proportion to their
                  Invested Capital.

                            (3) The  balance of such  income and gains  shall be
                  allocated  to the  Members  in  proportion  to their  Invested
                  Capital.

                   (d)  Assignments.   In  the  event  of  an  assignment  of  a
         Membership Interest (other than an assignment by reason of the death of
         a Member), the assignor's  distributive share of Company income, gains,
         loss,  deductions  and  credits  and  expenditures  not  deductible  in
         computing  its taxable  income (in respect of the interest so assigned)
         shall  be the  share  of such  items  attributable  to such  Membership
         Interest accruing prior to such assignment (based on an interim closing
         of the books of the  Company),  and the  assignee's  share shall be the
         share of such items attributable to such Membership Interest after such
         assignment (based on such interim closing).

                   (e) Mandatory Section 704(c) Allocations. Notwithstanding the
         foregoing, to the extent that Code Section 704(c), Regulations Sections
         1.704-3 or  1.704-1(b)(2)(iv),  or any other  regulations  which may be
         proposed or promulgated under Code Section 704(c);  require allocations
         of Company  income,  gains,  losses or  deductions in a manner which is
         different  than that set forth above,  the provisions of Section 704(c)
         and the regulations thereunder shall control such allocations among the
         Members. In the absence of a contrary agreement among the Members, such
         items shall be allocated in  accordance  with the  "Traditional  method
         with curative  allocations" set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-3(c)
         or any successor regulation.

7.4      Curative Allocations

         The allocations set forth in Section 7.3(a) and 7.3(b) (the "Regulatory
Allocations")  are intended to comply with certain  requirements  of Regulations
Sections  1.704-l(b),  1.704-2 and 1.704-3, and shall be interpreted and applied
in a manner consistent  therewith.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Article VII (other than the Regulatory Allocations),  the Regulatory Allocations
shall be taken into account in  allocating  other  profits,  losses and items of
income,  gain,  loss and  deduction  among the  Members  so that,  to the extent
possible, the net amount of such allocations of other profits,  losses and other
items in the  Regulatory  Allocations  to each Member  shall be equal to the net
amount  that would have been  allocated  to each such  Member if the  Regulatory
Allocations had not occurred.

                                       16
<PAGE>

7.5      Federal Income Tax

         It is the intent of this Company and its Members that this Company will
be governed by the  applicable  provisions of Subchapter K, of Chapter 1, of the
Code.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  DISTRIBUTIONS

8.1      Operating Distributions

         The Company's Cash Available For  Distribution  shall, at such times as
the Managers of the Company deem advisable,  be distributed among the Members in
proportion to their respective Membership Interests,  as of the date of any such
distribution.  The term "Cash Available For  Distribution"  shall mean the total
cash revenues generated by the Company's operations (including proceeds from the
sale or  refinancing  of  Company  assets),  less all cash  expenditures  of the
Company for debt service and operating  expenses,  and less a reasonable  amount
determined by the Company to be set aside for reserves.

8.2      Payment of Member Loans

         Under all circumstances,  Member Loans shall be repaid first out of any
Cash Available for  Distribution.  If a difference exists between the Members in
the amount of Member  Loans made to the  Company,  any Member  with more  Member
Loans  outstanding  (in value)  than  another  Member  shall  receive  the first
distributions  of any available  cash until that Member's Loan is in parity with
the other  Member  Loans,  if any.  Thereafter,  the Member Loans will be repaid
ratably to the  Members  with Loans.  It is the  intention  of the Members  that
Member Loans will be repaid as cash is available for distribution and may result
in revolving  payments to the Members as additional Member Loans are advanced to
the Company.

8.3      Distribution on Dissolution and Liquidation

         In the event of the  dissolution and liquidation of the Company for any
reason,  after the payment of or provision for creditors pursuant to NRS Section
86.521 and other applicable law, the Company's assets shall be distributed among
the  Members  in  accordance  with their  respective  positive  Capital  Account
balances, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2).


                                   ARTICLE IX
                             ACCOUNTING AND RECORDS

9.1      Records and Accounting

         The books and records of the Company  shall be kept,  and the financial
position and the results of its  operations  recorded,  in  accordance  with the
accounting  methods elected to be followed by the Company for federal income tax
purposes.  The books and  records  of the  Company  shall  reflect  all  Company
transactions  and shall be appropriate and adequate for the Company's  business.
The fiscal year of the Company for financial  reporting  and for federal  income
tax purposes shall be the calendar year.

                                       17
<PAGE>

9.2      Access to Accounting Records

         All books and records of the Company  shall be maintained at any office
of the Company or at the Company's principal place of business, or as determined
from  time to time by the  Company,  and each  Member,  and his duly  authorized
representative,  shall have access to them at such office of the Company and the
right to inspect and copy them at reasonable  times.  The Company shall keep all
records  required to be kept at the registered  office of the Company by Chapter
86 of the NRS at such registered office of the Company.

9.3      Annual Tax Information

         The  Managers  shall use their  best  efforts  to cause the  Company to
deliver to each Member within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year
all information  necessary for the  preparation of such Member's  federal income
tax return.

9.4      Reports to Members

         The Managers shall prepare and deliver to the Members monthly financial
statements.  The Company's independent certified public accountant shall prepare
and  deliver  to the  Members,  within  sixty  (60)  days  after  the end of the
applicable period, quarterly and annual financial statements.


                                    ARTICLE X
                                      TERM

10.1  Term

         The term of this  Company  shall  begin on the  date  the  Articles  of
Organization  are filed with the Nevada  Secretary  of State and shall  continue
until October 23, 2024,  unless  terminated prior thereto in accordance with the
provisions hereof, by unanimous  agreement of the Members or pursuant to Chapter
86 of the NRS.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                         DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPANY AND
                       TERMINATION OF A MEMBER'S INTEREST

11.1     Dissolution

         The  Company  must be  dissolved  on the death,  insanity,  retirement,
resignation,  expulsion,  bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or occurrence of
any other event which terminates a Member's continued membership in the Company,
unless the  business of the Company is continued by the consent of a Majority of
the remaining Members of the Company.  In determining a Majority for purposes of
this  Article  XI, only  Membership  Interests  of  remaining  Members  shall be
considered to be outstanding.

                                       18
<PAGE>

11.2     Death of a Member; Continuation

         After the death of a Member,  if a Majority  of the  remaining  Members
consent  to the  continuation  of the  business  of the  Company,  the  personal
representative   ("Representative")  of  the  deceased  Member  and,  after  the
distribution of the deceased  Member's  estate,  the deceased  Member's heirs or
legatees,  shall immediately  succeed to the Membership Interest of the deceased
Member in the Company,  subject to the provisions of this  Operating  Agreement.
During  administration of the estate of the deceased Member, such Representative
(and after distribution of the deceased Member's estate, such heirs or legatees)
shall have the same rights and  obligations  in the Company for the remainder of
the Company's term as the deceased Member would have had, if the deceased Member
had  survived.  Such  rights and  obligations  shall  include,  but shall not be
limited to, the conduct of the  Company's  business and the share in the profits
and losses of the Company.

11.3     Option To Purchase Deceased Member's Interest

         Upon the death of a Member,  the Company shall have the option,  within
120 days of the  Member's  date of death,  to  purchase  the  deceased  Member's
Membership  Interest in the Company for an agreed upon price, or if no price can
be agreed upon, the fair market value of such Membership  Interest as determined
by an independent  qualified appraiser appointed by the Members and the deceased
Member's  Representative.  If they cannot agree on an appraiser, the Members and
such Representative  shall agree on three (3) possible  appraisers,  place their
names on pieces of paper placed into a hat, and one person chosen by the Members
and such Representative  shall,  without looking,  reach into a hat and pick out
one name who shall be the  appraiser.  If the  Company  elects to  purchase  the
Membership Interest of the deceased Member, it shall pay the agreed price or the
fair  market  value  of  such  Membership  Interest  to  the  deceased  Member's
Representative,  in cash,  within such 120 day period.  If the Company  does not
purchase  the  Membership  Interest of the deceased  Member  within such 120 day
period,  then all rights to purchase the deceased Member's  Membership  Interest
pursuant to this Section shall terminate.

11.4     Bankruptcy

         Upon the bankruptcy of a Member (the "Bankrupt Member"),  if a Majority
of the  remaining  Members  consent to the  continuation  of the business of the
Company,  the  remaining  Members  shall have the right to  purchase  the entire
Membership  Interest of the Bankrupt  Member at a price equal to the fair market
value of such Membership Interest at the time of such bankruptcy,  as determined
by an independent  qualified appraiser  appointed by the Members,  including the
Bankrupt Member.  If they cannot agree on an appraiser,  the Members,  including
the Bankrupt Member, shall agree on three (3) possible  appraisers,  place their
names on pieces of paper placed into a hat, and one person chosen by the Members
shall,  without  looking,  reach into the hat and pick out one name who shall be
the appraiser. A purchase of a Bankrupt Member's Membership Interest shall be an
all cash  transaction  completed  within 120 days after the date the  bankruptcy
petition is filed by or against the Bankrupt  Member.  The Company  shall send a
notice of the  bankruptcy to all the Members and each Member wishing to purchase
all or part of the Bankrupt Members Membership Interest (a "Purchasing  Member")
must so notify all the other  Members in writing within  twenty  (20) days after
delivery of the notice.  Unless they agree otherwise,  if there is more than one
Purchasing  Member,  each Purchasing  Member may purchase the same proportion of
the Bankrupt  Member's  Membership  Interest as the Membership  Interest of that
Purchasing Member bears to the total Membership  Interests of all the 


                                       19
<PAGE>

Purchasing  Members.  If no  remaining  Member  wishes to purchase  the Bankrupt
Member's Membership Interest, or the Purchasing Members do not actually purchase
the  Bankrupt  Member's  Membership  Interest  within the time set forth in this
Section  11.4,  then all rights to purchase  the  Bankrupt  Member's  Membership
Interest pursuant to this Section shall terminate.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                  TRUST MEMBERS

12.1     Trustee Liability

         When any trustee becomes a Member of this Company, he shall be a Member
not  individually  but solely as a trustee,  in the exercise and under the power
and authority  conferred upon and vested in such trustee.  Nothing  contained in
this  Operating  Agreement  shall be construed as creating any  liability on any
such trustee personally to pay any amounts required to be paid hereunder,  or to
perform any covenant,  either  express or implied,  contained  herein;  all such
liability,  if any,  is hereby  expressly  waived by the other  Members  of this
Company. Any liability of any Member which is a trust (whether to the Company or
to any third person) shall be a liability to the full extent of the trust estate
and shall not be a personal liability of any Trustee,  grantor or beneficiary of
any trust.

12.2     Status of Successor Trustees as Members

         Any  successor  trustee or  co-trustee  of any trust  which is a Member
shall be entitled to exercise the same rights and  privileges  and be subject to
the same duties and  obligations  as the  predecessor  trustee.  As used in this
Article  XII,  the term  "trustee"  shall  include  any and all  such  successor
trustees.


                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

13.1     Indemnity

         This Company does hereby  indemnify any person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding,  whether civil,  criminal,  administrative or investigative,
except an action by or in the right of the  Company,  by reason of the fact that
he is or was a Manager,  Member, employee or agent of this Company, or is or was
serving at the request of this Company as manager,  director,  officer, employee
or agent of another limited liability company or corporation,  against expenses,
subject to the  provisions  of Section 13.4 below,  including  attorneys'  fees,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by him in  connection  with the action,  suit or  proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner  which he  reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to
the best  interests of this Company,  and, with respect to a criminal  action or
proceeding,  had no reasonable  cause to believe his conduct was  unlawful.  The
termination of any action,  suit or proceeding by judgment,  order,  settlement,
conviction,  or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its  equivalent,  does not, of
itself,  create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest
of this Company, and that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he
had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

                                       20
<PAGE>

13.2     Indemnity for Actions By or In the Right of the Company

         This Company does hereby  indemnify any person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,  pending or completed action
or suit by or in the right of this Company to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason  of the fact that he is or was a Member,  Manager,  employee  or agent of
this  Company,  or is or was serving at the request of this Company as a Member,
Manager,  director,  officer,  employee  or agent of another  limited  liability
company,  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust or other  enterprise
against  expenses,  subject to the provisions of Section 13.4 hereof,  including
amounts paid in settlement and attorneys' fees actually and reasonably  incurred
by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the actions or suit if he
acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of this Company.  Indemnification  may not be made
for any claim,  issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a
court of competent  jurisdiction,  after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to
be liable to this Company or for amounts  paid in  settlement  to this  Company,
unless  and only to the  extent  that the court in which the  action or suit was
brought or other court of competent  jurisdiction  determines  upon  application
that in view of all the  circumstances  of the case,  the  person is fairly  and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

13.3     Indemnity If Successful

         To the extent that a Member, Manager, employee or agent of this Company
has been  .successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action,  suit
or proceeding referred to in Sections 13.1 and 13.2, or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter  therein,  this  Company  does hereby  indemnify  such person or
entity  against  expenses,  subject to the  provisions  of Section  13.4 hereof,
including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with the defense.

13.4     Expenses

         Any  indemnification  under Sections 13.1 and 13.2, unless ordered by a
court or advanced  pursuant to Section 13.5 below,  must be made by this Company
only  as   authorized   in  the  specific   case  upon  a   determination   that
indemnification  of the  Member,  Manager,  employee  or agent is  proper in the
circumstances. The determination must be made:

                   (a) By a  majority vote of  Managers who were not parties  to
         the act, suit or proceeding;

                   (b) If,  pursuant to  majority  vote,  Managers  who were not
         parties to the act, suit or proceeding so order,  by independent  legal
         counsel in a written opinion; or

                   (c) If a vote of  Managers  who were not  parties to the act,
         suit or proceeding cannot be obtained,  by independent legal counsel in
         a written opinion.

         For purposes of this Section 13.4, each Manager shall have one vote.

 13.5     Advance Payment of Expenses

         The expenses of Members and  Managers  incurred in defending a civil or
criminal  action,  suit or proceeding  shall be paid by this Company as they are
incurred  and in  advance  of the  final  disposition  of 


                                       21
<PAGE>

the action,  suit or proceeding,  upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of the Member or Manager to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a
court of competent  jurisdiction  that he is not entitled to be  indemnified  by
this  Company.  The  provisions  of this  subsection do not affect any rights to
advancement of expenses to which personnel other than Members or Managers may be
entitled under any contract or otherwise by law.

13.6     Other Arrangements Not Excluded

         The  indemnification  and  advancement  of  expenses  authorized  in or
ordered by a court pursuant to this Article XIII:

                   (a) Does  not  exclude  any  other  rights  to which a person
         seeking  indemnification  or  advancement  of expenses  may be entitled
         under the Articles of Organization or any agreement, vote of Members or
         otherwise,  for either an action in his official  capacity or an action
         in  another   capacity   while   holding   his   office,   except  that
         indemnification,  unless  ordered by a court  pursuant to Section  13.2
         above or for the  advancement of expenses made pursuant to Section 13.5
         above,  may not be made to or on behalf of any  Member or  Manager if a
         final  adjudication  establishes  that his acts or  omissions  involved
         intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law and was
         material to the cause of action.

                   (b)  Continues  for a person  who has  ceased to be a Member,
         Manager,  employee  or agent and  inures to the  benefit  of the heirs,
         executors and administrators of such a person.


                                   ARTICLE XIV
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

14.1     Complete Agreement

         This Operating Agreement, and the Articles of Organization,  constitute
the complete and  exclusive  statement of the  agreement  among the Members with
respect to the subject matter contained  therein.  This Operating  Agreement and
the Articles of Organization  replace and supersede all prior  agreements by and
among the Members or any of them.  This Operating  Agreement and the Articles of
Organization   supersede   all  prior  written  and  oral   statements   and  no
representation,  statement,  or  condition  or warranty  not  contained  in this
Operating  Agreement  or the  Articles  of  Organization  will be binding on the
Members or be of any force and effect whatsoever.

14.2     Amendments

         This  Operating  Agreement  may be amended by the Members but only at a
special or annual meeting of the Members,  not by written  consent,  and only if
the notice of the  intention to amend the  Operating  Agreement was contained in
the notice of the meeting, or such notice of a meeting is waived by all Members.

                                       22
<PAGE>

14.3     Applicable Law

         This  Operating  Agreement,  and its  application,  shall  be  governed
exclusively by its terms and by the laws of the State of Nevada.

14.4     Headings

         The headings in this Operating  Agreement are inserted for  convenience
only and are in no way intended to  describe,  interpret,  define,  or limit the
scope, extent or intent of this Operating Agreement or any provisions  contained
herein.

14.5     Severability

         If any provision of this Operating Agreement or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance shall be deemed invalid,  illegal or unenforceable
to any extent,  the remainder of this  Operating  Agreement and the  application
thereof  shall not be affected and shall be  enforceable  to the fullest  extent
permitted by law.

14.6     Expenses

         If any litigation or other  proceeding is commenced in connection  with
or related to this Operating  Agreement,  the prevailing party shall be entitled
to recover  from the losing  party all of the  incidental  costs and  reasonable
attorneys' fees, whether or not a final judgment is rendered.

14.7     Heirs, Successors and Assigns

         Each  and  all of  the  covenants,  terms,  provisions  and  agreements
contained  in this  Operating  Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the  existing  Members  all new and  substituted  Members,  and their
respective  assignees (whether permitted by this Agreement or not), heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns.

14.8     Execution

         This Operating  Agreement may be executed in counterparts,  and when so
executed  each  counterpart  shall  be  deemed  to  be  an  original,  and  said
counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

14.9     Power of Attorney

         Each Member, in accepting this Operating Agreement,  makes, constitutes
and appoints the Managers and each of them, with full power of substitution,  as
his, her, or its attorney-in-fact and personal  representative to sign, execute,
certify, acknowledge, file and record the Articles of Organization, and to sign,
execute,  certify,  acknowledge,  file and  record all  appropriate  instruments
amending the Articles of Organization and this Operating  Agreement on behalf of
each such  Member.  In  particular,  the Manager as  attorney-in-fact  may sign,
acknowledge, certify, file and record on behalf of each Member such instruments,
agreements  and documents  which:  (1) reflect any amendments to the Articles of
Organization or Operating Agreement;  (2) reflect the admission or withdrawal of
a Member;  and (3) may otherwise be required of the Company, a Member or by law.
The Power of 


                                       23
<PAGE>

Attorney  herein  given by each Member is a durable  power and will  survive the
disability or incapacity of the principal.


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Operating Agreement was adopted by a unanimous
action of the  Members  of this  Company  pursuant  to a Written  Consent  dated
October 24, 1994.

                                          MEMBERS:                              
                                          
                                          
                                          ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                          A Minnesota corporation
                                          
                                          
                                          By/s/ Jim Plutt
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Jim Plutt, Secretary
                                          
                                          ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
                                          a Minnesota corporation
                                          
                                          
                                          By/s/ Jim Plutt
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Jim Plutt, Secretary
                                          
                                          
                     


                                       24

                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.7

                            CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

                                       OF

                   ANAGRAM EDEN PRAIRIE PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC



               (UNDER THE DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT)


                  This Certificate of Formation of Anagram Eden Prairie Property
Holdings LLC (the "Company"), dated as of September 9, 1998, is being duly
executed and filed by the undersigned as an authorized person and the sole
initial member, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited
Liability Company Act (6 Del.C. [Section] 18-101, et seq.) (the "Act").

                  FIRST: The name of the limited liability company formed hereby
is Anagram Eden Prairie Property Holdings LLC.

                  SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Company in
the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, The Corporation
Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801.

                  THIRD: The name and address of the registered agent for
service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware is The Corporation
Trust Company, The Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New
Castle County, Delaware 19801.

                  FOURTH: The overall management and control of the business and
affairs of the Company shall be vested in the member, or if more than one
member, the members. If the Company shall have more than one member at any time
or from time to time, all decisions with respect to the business and affairs of
the Company shall require the unanimous consent of the members. The sole initial
member of the Company shall be Amscan Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Amscan"). Members of the Company shall also be any one or more persons who
become a successor or additional member by the unanimous consent of the then
existing members.

                  FIFTH: The business purposes for which the Company is formed
(collectively, the "Purposes") are as follows:

                   (a) To own, occupy, manage, improve, lease, restructure and
operate the parcels of land and the improvements thereon known as 7700 Anagram
Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota and the easements appurtenant thereto
(collectively, the "Property") and to conduct activities incidental thereto;

                   (b) To guarantee (any such guarantee, a "Permitted
Guarantee") the indebtedness of Amscan (the "Indebtedness") to be evidenced by a
certain Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Credit Agreement and a certain
Amended and Restated Axel Credit 

<PAGE>

Agreement, each to be entered into among Amscan, as Borrower, Goldman Sachs
Credit Partners, L.P., as Arranger and Syndication Agent (together with its
successors, the "Collateral Agent"), Fleet National Bank, as Administrative
Agent, and the Lenders to be listed therein (collectively and as may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreements"); and

                   (c) Subject to any limitations expressly set forth herein, to
do all things necessary, suitable or proper under the Act for the accomplishment
of, or in furtherance of, any of the Purposes set forth herein and to do every
other act or acts incidental to, or arising from, or connected with, any of such
Purposes;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that except as may be permitted by the Credit Agreements and
the other documents and instruments evidencing or securing the Indebtedness, the
Company shall be prohibited from (i) incurring indebtedness for borrowed money,
(ii) guaranteeing or otherwise obligating itself with respect to the
indebtedness of any other person, (iii) holding out its credit as being
available to satisfy the obligations of any other person, or (iv) otherwise
entering into any loan or credit agreement, pledge or security agreement,
mortgage or deed of trust, or other written agreement or instrument which
evidences or secures indebtedness for borrowed money, except for a Permitted
Guarantee, and neither the foregoing enumeration of the Purposes for which the
Company is formed nor any other provision in this Certificate of Formation shall
be construed to authorize the Company to do any such prohibited act or thing or
enter into any such prohibited agreement.

                  SIXTH: The personal liability of the members of the Company is
eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of
Section 18-108 of the Act, as the same may hereafter be amended and
supplemented, and none of such members are to be liable in their capacity as
members for any of the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company.

                  SEVENTH: (a) For as long as a Permitted Guarantee remains
outstanding and upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, the members
shall appoint an Independent Manager designated by the Collateral Agent (the
"Independent Manager"). To the fullest extent permitted by Section 18-1101(c) of
the Act, the Independent Manager shall have no duty (fiduciary or otherwise) to
consent or vote in favor of the institution of any proceedings, the filing of
any petition, or the taking of any action, in each case concerning the matters
more fully described in Paragraphs Eighth, Ninth and Tenth of this Certificate
of Formation, or to take or omit to take any other action under this Certificate
of Formation or to take any action that would result in an event of default
under the Credit Agreements.

                   (b) No resignation or removal of the Independent Manager, and
no appointment of a successor Independent Manager, shall be effective until the
successor Independent Manager shall have accepted his, her or its appointment by
a written instrument. All rights, power and authority of the Independent Manager
shall be limited to the extent necessary to exercise those rights and perform
those duties specifically set forth in this Certificate of Formation.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                   (c) The Independent Manager may resign and be discharged of
this Certificate of Formation effective upon the appointment of a successor
Independent Manager, upon not less than thirty (30) days' prior written notice
to the members, and, if a Permitted Guarantee remains outstanding, the
Collateral Agent. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the members shall
promptly appoint a successor Independent Manager acceptable to the Collateral
Agent by written instrument or instruments delivered to such resigning
Independent Manager and the successor Independent Manager. If no successor
Independent Manager shall have been appointed within thirty (30) days after
notice of such resignation has been delivered, the Independent Manager may apply
to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Independent Manager. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it
may deem proper, prescribe and appoint a successor Independent Manager.

                   (d) Any person into which the Independent Manager may be
merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any person resulting from any
merger or consolidation to which the Independent Manager shall be a party, or
any person which succeeds to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Independent Manager, shall be the successor Independent Manager
under this Certificate of Formation without the execution, delivery or filing of
any paper or instrument or further act to be done on the part of the parties
hereto, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein.

                  EIGHTH: (a) The Company shall be dissolved, and its affairs
shall be wound up upon the first to occur of the following: (i) the written
consent of each member, and for as long as a Permitted Guarantee remains
outstanding, the written consent of the Independent Manager; or (ii) the entry
of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act.

                   (b) The bankruptcy (as defined in Section 18-101(l) of the
Act) of a member shall not cause such member to cease to be a member of the
Company, and upon the occurrence of such an event, the business of the Company
shall continue without dissolution.

                   (c) With the exception of any event set forth in this
Paragraph Eighth, the Company shall not be dissolved by any other event or vote
set forth in Section 18-801 of the Act.

                   (d) In the event of dissolution, the Company shall conduct
only such activities as are necessary to wind up its affairs (including the sale
of the assets of the Company in an orderly manner), and the assets of the
Company shall be applied in the manner, and in the order of priority, set forth
in Section 18-804 of the Act.

                  NINTH: The unanimous vote of the members shall be required,
and for so long as a Permitted Guarantee remains outstanding, the consent of the
Independent Manager shall be required, in order to take any of the following
actions:

                  (a) cause the Company to become insolvent;

                  (b) commence any case, proceeding or other action on behalf
of the Company under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                  (c) institute proceedings to have the Company adjudicated as
bankrupt or insolvent;

                  (d) consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings against the Company;

                  (e) file a petition or consent to a petition seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, dissolution, composition,
liquidation or other relief on behalf of the Company of its debts under any
federal or state law relating to bankruptcy;

                  (f) seek or consent to the appointment of a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, custodian or any similar official
for the Company or a substantial portion of the properties of the Company;

                  (g) make any assignment for the benefit of the Company's
creditors; or

                  (h) take any action or cause the Company to take any action in
furtherance of any of the foregoing.

                  TENTH: For so long as a Permitted Guarantee remains
outstanding, the Company shall not be authorized to:

                  (a) amend this Certificate of Formation, except with the prior
written consent of the Independent Manager;

                  (b) engage in any business activity not contemplated by the
Purposes;

                  (c) dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, or sell all or
substantially all of its assets; or

                  (d) transfer its interest in the Property, or any portion
thereof.

                  ELEVENTH: The Company shall:

                  (a) not commingle its assets with those of any other entity
and shall hold its assets in its own name;

                  (b) conduct its own business in its own name;

                  (c) maintain bank accounts, books, records, accounts and
financial statements separate from any other entity;

                  (d) maintain its books, records, resolutions and agreements as
official records and separate from any other entity;

                  (e) pay its own liabilities out of its own funds;

                  (f) maintain adequate capital in light of contemplated
business operations;

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                  (g) observe all formalities of a limited liability company
organized under the Act;

                  (h) maintain an arm's length relationship with its affiliates;

                  (i) pay the salaries of its own employees, if any;

                  (j) not acquire obligations or securities of its partners,
members or shareholders;

                  (k) allocate fairly and reasonably any overhead for shared
office space;

                  (l) use separate stationary, invoices, and checks;

                  (m) hold itself out as a separate entity and correct any known
misunderstanding regarding its separate identity; and

                  (n) not identify itself or any of its affiliates as a division
or part of the other.

                  TWELFTH: (a) Except as limited by Subparagraph (a) of the
Tenth Paragraph of this Certificate of Formation, the Company reserves the right
to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of
Formation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights
conferred upon members herein are granted subject to this reservation.

                  (b) If any of the provisions of this Certificate of Formation,
or the application thereof to any person, party or circumstances, shall, to any
extent, be invalid, the remainder of this Certificate of Formation, or the
application of such provision or provisions to persons, parties or circumstances
other than those as to whom or which it is held invalid, shall not be affected
thereby, and every provision of this Certificate of Formation, shall be valid to
the fullest extent permitted by law.









                                      -5-
<PAGE>


                  THIRTEENTH: This Certificate of Formation contains the entire
understanding between and among the members of the Company respecting the
subject matter hereof, and shall further constitute the limited liability
company agreement as contemplated by the provisions of Section 18-201 of the
Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

Signed on September 9, 1998, and 
affirmed, under penalties of perjury.


                                      AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.,
                                      in its capacity as sole initial member of
                                      the Company


                                      By: /s/James M. Harrison
                                           Name:  James M. Harrison
                                           Title: President













                                      -6-

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

     SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of September 17, 1998 between Anagram
International, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, Anagram International Holdings,
Inc., a Minnesota corporation, Anagram International, LLC, a Nevada limited
liability company and Anagram Eden Prairie Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (each a "New Guarantor" and, together with the Persons
identified on Exhibit C to the Indenture referred to below and any other
Guarantors that execute this form of Supplemental Indenture, the "Guarantors"),
each a Subsidiary of Amscan Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or its
successors and assigns (the "Company"), and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,
as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the "Trustee").

                                   WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee
an indenture dated as of December 19, 1997, as amended by a supplemental
indenture dated as of September 17, 1998, (the "Indenture"), providing for the
issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million of 9.875% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes");

     WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances each New
Guarantor shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture
pursuant to which each New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all of the
Company's Obligations under the Senior Subordinated Notes on the terms and
conditions set forth herein (the "Senior Subordinated Guarantee"); and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is
authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each New
Guarantor and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable
benefit of the Holders of the Senior Subordinated Notes as follows:

     1. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

     2. Counterpart to the Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture specifically
incorporates, restates and reaffirms all of the warranties, representations,
covenants and other provisions of the Indenture, notwithstanding the fact that
such provisions are not restated herein. By executing this Supplemental
Indenture, each New Guarantor subscribes to all of the covenants and other
provisions in the Indenture as applicable to the Guarantors, and each New
Guarantor hereby agrees that it shall be bound by all of the provisions of the
Indenture. Upon execution, this Supplemental Indenture shall become part of the
Indenture and the rights and obligations of each New Guarantor hereunder shall
be construed to be identical to the rights and obligations of the Guarantors
under the Indenture. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise


                                       1
<PAGE>

terms of this Supplemental Indenture. In the event of any conflict between the
provisions herein and the provisions of the Indenture, the Indenture shall
control.

     3. Agreement to Guarantee. Each New Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:

     (a) Subject to Article 11 of the Indenture, each New Guarantor, jointly and
severally with the other Guarantors, hereby unconditionally guarantees to each
Holder of a Senior Subordinated Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity
and enforceability of the Indenture, the Senior Subordinated Notes or the
Obligations of the Company under the Indenture or the Senior Subordinated Notes,
that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, including Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Notes shall be promptly paid in full
when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and (to
the extent permitted by law) interest on the overdue principal of, premium and
interest, including Liquidated Damages, on the Senior Subordinated Notes, if
any, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee
under the Indenture or the Senior Subordinated Notes shall be promptly paid in
full or performed, all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the
Senior Subordinated Notes; and (b) in case of any extension of time for payment
or renewal of any Senior Subordinated Notes or any of such other obligations,
that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance
with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed
for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be obligated to pay the same
immediately whether or not such failure to pay has become an Event of Default
which could cause acceleration pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Indenture. Each
New Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of
collection.

     (b) Each New Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall
be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of
the Senior Subordinated Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to
enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Senior Subordinated
Notes with respect to any provisions thereof, the recovery of any judgment
against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance
which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
guarantor. Each New Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of
payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy
of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company,
protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that, subject to
Article 11 of the Indenture, this Senior Subordinated Guarantee shall not be
discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the
Senior Subordinated Notes and the Indenture.

     (c) If any Holder of Senior Subordinated Notes or the Trustee is required
by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or the Guarantors, or any
Custodian, Trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to
either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee
or such Holder, this Senior Subordinated Guarantee, to the extent theretofore
discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.


                                       2
<PAGE>

     (d) Each New Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in relation to the Holders of Senior Subordinated Notes in respect
of any Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Obligations
guaranteed hereby. Each New Guarantor further agrees that, as between the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand,
(x) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as
provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Senior
Subordinated Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other
prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations
guaranteed thereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of
such Obligations as provided in Section 6.02 of the Indenture, such Obligations
(whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the
Guarantors for the purpose of this Senior Subordinated Guarantee. The Guarantors
shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying New Guarantor so
long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders
under the Senior Subordinated Guarantees.

     4. Subordination of Senior Subordinated Guarantee. The Obligations of each
New Guarantor under its Senior Subordinated Guarantee pursuant to Article 11 of
the Indenture shall be junior and subordinated to the Senior Guarantee of such
New Guarantor on the same basis as the Senior Subordinated Notes are junior and
subordinated to Senior Debt of the Company. For the purposes of the foregoing
sentence, the Trustee and the Holders shall have the right to receive and/or
retain payments by any of the Guarantors only at such times as they may receive
and/or retain payments in respect of the Senior Subordinated Notes pursuant to
the Indenture, including Article 10 thereof.

     5. Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each New Guarantor, and by its
acceptance of Senior Subordinated Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is
the intention of all such parties that the Senior Subordinated Guarantee of the
New Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of
Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent
Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any
Senior Subordinated Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the
Trustee, the Holders and each New Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the
obligations of each New Guarantor under its Senior Subordinated Guarantee and
Article 11 of the Indenture shall be limited to the maximum amount as will,
after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed
liabilities of the New Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after
giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or
payments made by or on behalf of any other New Guarantor in respect of the
obligations of such other New Guarantor under Article 11 of the Indenture,
result in the obligations of the New Guarantor under its Senior Subordinated
Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

     6. Execution and Delivery of Senior Subordinated Guarantees. (a) To
evidence its Senior Subordinated Guarantee set forth in this Supplemental
Indenture and in Section 11.01 of the Indenture, each New Guarantor hereby
agrees that a notation of such Senior Subordinated Guarantee substantially in
the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture shall be endorsed by an Officer of the
New Guarantor on each Senior Subordinated Note authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee and that this Supplemental Indenture, as a counterpart to the
Indenture, shall be executed 


                                       3
<PAGE>

on behalf of the New Guarantor by its President or one of its Vice Presidents 
and attested to by an Officer of the New Guarantor.

     (b) Each New Guarantor hereby agrees that its Senior Subordinated Guarantee
set forth in this Supplemental Indenture and in Section 11.01 of the Indenture
shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on
each Senior Subordinated Note a notation of such Senior Subordinated Guarantee.

     (c) If an Officer whose signature is on this Supplemental Indenture or on
the Senior Subordinated Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the
Trustee authenticates the Senior Subordinated Note on which a Senior
Subordinated Guarantee is endorsed, the Senior Subordinated Guarantee shall be
valid nevertheless.

     (d) The delivery of any Senior Subordinated Note by the Trustee, after the
authentication thereof under the Indenture, shall constitute due delivery of the
Senior Subordinated Guarantee set forth in the Indenture on behalf of the New
Guarantor.

     7. Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms. No New Guarantor may
consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such New Guarantor is the
surviving Person) another Person whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor
unless:

     (a) subject to Section 11.06 of the Indenture, the Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such New Guarantor)
unconditionally assumes all the obligations of such New Guarantor under the
Senior Subordinated Guarantee and the Indenture on the terms set forth in the
Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee;

     (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or
Event of Default exists; and

     (c) the Company would be permitted by virtue of the Company's pro forma
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to incur, immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09 of
the Indenture.

In case of any such consolidation or merger and upon the assumption by the
successor Person by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the
Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Senior Subordinated
Guarantee endorsed upon the Senior Subordinated Notes and of the due and
punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture and
this Supplemental Indenture to be performed by the New Guarantor, such successor
Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the New Guarantor with the same
effect as if it had been named in the Indenture as a New Guarantor. Such
successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Senior
Subordinated Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Senior Subordinated Notes
issuable under the Indenture which theretofore shall not have been signed by the
Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Senior Subordinated Guarantees so
issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under the
Indenture as the Senior Subordi-


                                       4
<PAGE>

nated Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture as though all of such Senior Subordinated Guarantees had been
issued at the date of the execution of the Indenture.

     Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 of the Indenture, and
notwithstanding clauses (a) through (c) above, nothing contained in the
Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture or in any of the Senior Subordinated
Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of any New Guarantor with or
into the Company or another New Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or
conveyance of the property of any Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as
an entirety to the Company or another New Guarantor.

     8. Releases of Senior Subordinated Guarantees. In the event of a sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any New
Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other
disposition (including, without limitation, by foreclosure) of all of the
Capital Stock of the New Guarantor, then the New Guarantor (in the event of a
sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger, consolidation or otherwise
(including, without limitation, by foreclosure), of all of the Capital Stock of
the New Guarantor) or the Person acquiring the property (in the event of a sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the New
Guarantor) shall be automatically released and relieved of any obligations under
its Senior Subordinated Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale
or other disposition are applied, as and if required, in accordance with Section
4.10 of the Indenture. In addition, if any New Guarantor is released and
relieved of all obligations it may have as a guarantor under the Bank Credit
Agreement, then such New Guarantor will also be automatically released and
relieved of any obligations under its Senior Subordinated Guarantee. Upon
delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by
the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, including
without limitation Sections 4.10 and 5.01 thereof, the Trustee shall execute any
documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of the New
Guarantor from its obligations under its Senior Subordinated Guarantee.

     Any New Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Senior
Subordinated Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of
and interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes and for the other obligations of
any New Guarantor under the Indenture as provided in Article 11 thereof.

     9. `Trustee" to Include Paying Agent. In case at any time any Paying Agent
other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then
acting under the Indenture, the term "Trustee" as used in Article 11 thereto
shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as
extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully and for
all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in Article 11 of the
Indenture in place of the Trustee. 

     10. No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director,
officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of any New Guarantor, as such,
shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any New Guarantor
under the Senior Subordinated Notes, any 


                                       5
<PAGE>

Senior Subordinated Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or
for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or
their creation. Each Holder of Senior Subordinated Notes by accepting a Senior
Subordinated Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release
are part of the consideration for issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes.

     11. GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN
AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE SENIOR SUBORDINATED
GUARANTEE.

     12. Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of
this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of
them together represent the same agreement.

     13. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

     14. The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner
whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental
Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which
recitals are made solely by the New Guarantors and the Company.















                                       6
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above
written.


Dated: September 17, 1998                   Anagram International, Inc.


                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                               ---------------------------------
Attest:                                     Name:  James M. Harrison
                                            Title: Senior Vice President,
Michael A. Correale                                Treasurer and Chief Financial
- -----------------------------------                Officer

Dated: September 17, 1998                   Anagram International Holdings, Inc.


                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                               ---------------------------------
Attest:                                     Name:  James M. Harrison
                                            Title: Senior Vice President,       
Michael A. Correale                                Treasurer and Chief Financial
- -----------------------------------                Officer                      
                                                   
Dated: September 17, 1998                   Anagram International, LLC


                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                               ---------------------------------
Attest:                                     Name:  James M. Harrison
                                            Title: Manager
Michael A. Correale
- -----------------------------------

Dated: September 17, 1998                   Anagram Eden Prairie Holdings LLC


                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                               ---------------------------------
Attest:                                     Name:  James M. Harrison
                                            Title: Senior Vice President,       
Michael A. Correale                                Treasurer and Chief Financial
- -----------------------------------                Officer                      
                                                   

Dated: September 17, 1998                   IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company
                                              as Trustee


                                            By:/s/ Stephen J. Giurlando
Attest:                                        ---------------------------------
                                            Name:  Stephen J. Giurlando
                                            Title: Aisstant Vice President
Michael C. Daly
- ----------------------------------
Michael C. Daly
Assistant Secretary

                                       7


                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                          SENIOR SUBORDINATED GUARANTEE

     The obligations of Anagram International, Inc., Anagram International
Holdings, Inc., Anagram International, LLC and Anagram Eden Prairie Holdings LLC
(collectively, the "New Guarantors") to the Holders of Senior Subordinated Notes
and to the Trustee pursuant to this Senior Subordinated Guarantee and the
Indenture dated as of December 19, 1997, as amended by the Supplemental
Indenture dated as of September 17, 1998 (the "Indenture") among Amscan
Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and IBJ Schroder Bank &
Trust Company, as trustee, are expressly set forth in Article 11 of the
Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms
of this Senior Subordinated Guarantee. The terms of Article 11 of the Indenture
are incorporated herein by reference.

     Each of the New Guarantors, jointly and severally, hereby unconditionally
guarantees to each Holder of a Senior Subordinated Note authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns,
irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Senior
Subordinated Notes or the obligations of the Company under the Indenture or the
Senior Subordinated Notes, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest, including Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Notes
shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration,
redemption or otherwise, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on the
overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest, including Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Notes, if any, and all other
obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee under the Indenture or
the Senior Subordinated Notes shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Notes;
and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Senior
Subordinated Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly
paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension
or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing
payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the New
Guarantors shall be obligated to pay the same immediately whether or not such
failure to pay has become an Event of Default which could cause acceleration
pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Indenture. Each New Guarantor agrees that this
is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

     Each New Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be
unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the
Senior Subordinated Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce
the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Senior Subordinated Notes
with respect to any provisions thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the
Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.
Each New Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment,
filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the
Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest,
notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that, subject to Article 11 of
the Indenture, this Senior Subordinated Guarantee shall not be discharged except
by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Senior Subordinated
Notes and the Indenture.


<PAGE>

     If any Holder of Senior Subordinated Notes or the Trustee is required by
any court or otherwise to return to the Company or the New Guarantors, or any
Custodian, Trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to
either the Company or the New Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the
Trustee or such Holder, this Senior Subordinated Guarantee, to the extent
theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

     Each New Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in relation to the Holders of Senior Subordinated Notes in respect
of any Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Obligations
guaranteed hereby. Each New Guarantor further agrees that, as between the New
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand,
(x) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as
provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Senior
Subordinated Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other
prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations
guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of
such Obligations as provided in Section 6.02 of the Indenture, such Obligations
(whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the
New Guarantors for the purpose of this Senior Subordinated Guarantee. The New
Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying New
Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of
the Holders under the Senior Subordinated Guarantees.

     The Obligations of each New Guarantor under this Senior Subordinated
Guarantee are junior and subordinated to the Senior Guarantee of such New
Guarantor on the same basis as the Senior Subordinated Notes are junior and
subordinated to Senior Debt of the Company. For the purposes of the foregoing
sentence, the Trustee and the Holders shall have the right to receive and/or
retain payments by any of the New Guarantors only at such times as they may
receive and/or retain payments in respect of the Senior Subordinated Notes
pursuant to the Indenture, including Article 10 thereof.

     Each New Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Senior Subordinated Notes,
each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that
this Senior Subordinated Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance
Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to
the extent applicable. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the
Holders and the New Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of
each New Guarantor under this Senior Subordinated Guarantee shall be limited to
the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all
other contingent and fixed liabilities of such New Guarantor that are relevant
under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to
receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other New
Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other New Guarantor under
Article 11 of the Indenture, result in the obligations of such New Guarantor
under this Senior Subordinated Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer
or conveyance.

     This is a continuing Senior Subordinated Guarantee and shall remain in full
force and effect and shall be binding upon each New Guarantor and its respective
successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture until full and
final payment of all of the 


                                       2
<PAGE>

Company's Obligations under the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Indenture and
shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the
Holders of Senior Subordinated Notes and, in the event of any transfer or
assignment of rights by any Holder of Senior Subordinated Notes or the Trustee,
the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically
extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms
and conditions hereof and of Article 11 of the Indenture.

     This Senior Subordinated Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Senior Subordinated Note
upon which this Senior Subordinated Guarantee is noted shall have been executed
by the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual signature of one of its
authorized officers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that this
Senior Subordinated Guarantee is executed subsequent to such manual signature of
one of the Trustee's authorized officers on such certificate of authentication,
then immediately upon the execution of this Senior Subordinated Guarantee all
obligations hereunder and under the Indenture shall be valid and obligatory with
respect to such Senior Subordinated Note(s) as if this Senior Subordinated
Guarantee were noted thereon.














                                       3
<PAGE>

    Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture
unless otherwise indicated.

                                            Anagram International, Inc.


Attest:                          
                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                               ---------------------------------
/s/ Michael A. Correale                     Name:  James M. Harrison
- --------------------------------            Title  Senior Vice President, 
Name:  Michael A. Correale                         Treasurer and Chief Financial
Title  Vice President, Assistant                   Officer                      
       Treasurer and Secretary                     


                                            Anagram International Holdings, Inc.


Attest:
                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                               ---------------------------------
/s/ Michael A. Correale                     Name:  James M. Harrison
- --------------------------------            Title  Senior Vice President,
Name:  Michael A. Correale                         Treasurer and Chief Financial
Title  Vice President, Assistant                   Officer                      
       Treasurer and Secretary
                                                  
                                            Anagram International, LLC          
                                            
       
Attest:
                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                            ------------------------------------
/s/ Michael A. Correale                     Name:  James M. Harrison
- ------------------------------              Title  Manager
Name:  Michael A. Correale    
Title  Manager                

                                            Anagram Eden Prairie Holdings LLC


Attest:
                                            By:/s/ James M. Harrison
                                            ------------------------------------
/s/ Michael A. Correale                     Name:  James M. Harrison
- --------------------------------            Title  Senior Vice President,
Name:  Michael A. Correale                         Treasurer and Chief Financial
Title  Vice President, Assistant                   Officer                      
       Treasurer and Secretary              
                   
       
                                       4


                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1




================================================================================


              AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 1998

                                     AMONG

                             AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.,
                                  AS BORROWER

                           THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN,
                                  AS LENDERS,

                      GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
                       AS ARRANGER AND SYNDICATION AGENT,

                                      AND

                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT


================================================================================
<PAGE>
                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

              AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE

                                   SECTION 1.
                                  DEFINITIONS................................  3
         1.1      Certain Defined Terms......................................  3
         1.2      Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes 
                  of Calculations Under Agreement............................ 45
         1.3      Other Definitional Provisions and Rules of Construction.... 45

                                   SECTION 2.
                      AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS............. 46
         2.1      Commitments; Making of Loans; the Register; Notes.......... 46
         2.2      Interest on the Revolving Loans............................ 50
         2.3      Fees....................................................... 54
         2.4      Prepayments and Reductions in Revolving Loan Commitments;  
                  General Provisions Regarding Payments; Application of 
                  Proceeds of Collateral and Payments Under Subsidiary 
                  Guaranty................................................... 54
         2.5      Use of Proceeds............................................ 59
         2.6      Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans......... 60
         2.7      Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy................... 62
         2.8      Obligation of Lenders and Issuing Lenders to Mitigate...... 67
         2.9      Defaulting Lenders......................................... 67
         2.10     Removal or Replacement of a Lender......................... 69

                                   SECTION 3.
                                LETTERS OF CREDIT............................ 71
         3.1      Issuance of Letters of Credit and Lenders' Purchase 
                  of Participations Therein.................................. 71
         3.2      Letter of Credit Fees...................................... 74
         3.3      Drawings and Reimbursement of Amounts Paid Under Letters 
                  of Credit.................................................. 75
         3.4      Obligations Absolute....................................... 77
         3.5      Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lenders' Duties......... 78
         3.6      Increased Costs and Taxes Relating to Letters of Credit.... 80

                                   SECTION 4.
    CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS; CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT... 81

                                      (i)
<PAGE>
                                                                            Page

         4.1      Conditions to Effectiveness................................ 81
         4.2      Conditions to All Revolving Loans.......................... 90
         4.3      Conditions to Letters of Credit............................ 91

                                   SECTION 5.
                     COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................ 92
         5.1      Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing, 
                  Business and Subsidiaries.................................. 92
         5.2      Authorization of Borrowing, etc............................ 93
         5.3      Financial Condition........................................ 94
         5.4      No Material Adverse Change................................. 95
         5.5      Title to Properties; Liens; Real Property.................. 95
         5.6      Litigation; Adverse Facts.................................. 96
         5.7      Payment of Taxes........................................... 96
         5.8      Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse 
                  Agreements; Material Contracts............................. 97
         5.9      Governmental Regulation.................................... 97
         5.10     Securities Activities...................................... 97
         5.11     Employee Benefit Plans..................................... 97
         5.12     Certain Fees............................................... 98
         5.13     Environmental Protection................................... 98
         5.14     Employee Matters........................................... 99
         5.15     Solvency................................................... 99
         5.16     Matters Relating to Collateral............................. 99
         5.17     Related Agreements.........................................100
         5.18     Disclosure.................................................101
         5.19     AXEL Credit Agreement......................................102

                                   SECTION 6.
                          COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS....................102
         6.1      Financial Statements and Other Reports.....................102
         6.2      Corporate Existence, etc...................................108
         6.3      Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation.............108
         6.4      Maintenance  of  Properties;  Insurance;  Application  
                  of  Net  Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds...................109
         6.5      Inspection Rights; Audits of Inventory and Accounts 
                  Receivable; Lender Meeting.................................111
         6.6      Compliance with Laws, etc..................................111
         6.7      Environmental Review and Investigation, Disclosure, Etc.; 
                  Company's Actions Regarding Hazardous Materials Activities,  
                  Environmental  Claims and Violations of Environmental
                  Laws.......................................................111



                                      (ii)
<PAGE>

         6.8      Execution of Subsidiary Guaranty and Personal Property 
                  Collateral  Documents by Certain Subsidiaries and 
                  Future Subsidiaries........................................114
         6.9      Conforming Leasehold Interests; Matters Relating to 
                  Real Property Collateral...................................116
         6.10     Interest Rate Protection...................................118
         6.11     Cash Management Systems....................................119

6.12      TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS.............................................120

                                   SECTION 7.
                           COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS......................120
         7.1      Indebtedness...............................................120
         7.2      Liens and Related Matters..................................122
         7.3      Investments; Joint Ventures................................124
         7.4      Contingent Obligations.....................................124
         7.5      Restricted Junior Payments.................................126
         7.6      Financial Covenants........................................126
         7.7      Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales and 
                  Acquisitions...............................................132
         7.8      Consolidated Capital Expenditures..........................133
         7.9      Sales and Lease-Backs......................................134
         7.10     Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates..............134
         7.11     Disposal of Subsidiary Stock...............................135
         7.12     Conduct of Business........................................135
         7.13     Amendments  or  Waivers of Certain  Related  Agreements  
                  and the  Anagram  Acquisition Agreement; Amendments of 
                  Documents Relating to Subordinated Indebtedness............135
         7.14     Fiscal Year................................................136

                                   SECTION 8.
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................136
         8.1      Failure to Make Payments When Due..........................136
         8.2      Default in Other Agreements................................136
         8.3      Breach of Certain Covenants................................137
         8.4      Breach of Warranty.........................................137
         8.5      Other Defaults Under Revolving Loan Documents..............137
         8.6      Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.......137
         8.7      Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.........138
         8.8      Judgments and Attachments..................................138
         8.9      Dissolution................................................138
         8.10     Employee Benefit Plans.....................................138
         8.11     Change in Control..........................................139

                                     (iii)
<PAGE>
                                                                            Page

         8.12     Invalidity of Subsidiary Guaranty; Failure of Security; 
                  Repudiation of Obligations.................................139
         8.13     Failure to Consummate Anagram Acquisition..................139
         8.14     Amendment of Certain Documents of Company..................139

                                   SECTION 9.
                                     AGENTS..................................141
         9.1      Appointment................................................141
         9.2      Powers and Duties; General Immunity........................142
         9.3      Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For 
                  Appraisal of Creditworthiness..............................144
         9.4      Right to Indemnity.........................................144
         9.5      Successor Agent............................................144
         9.6      Collateral Documents and Guaranties........................145

                                   SECTION 10.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS..............................146
         10.1     Assignments and Participations in Loans and Letters 
                  of Credit..................................................146
         10.2     Expenses...................................................149
         10.3     Indemnity..................................................150
         10.4     Set-Off; Security Interest in Deposit Accounts.............151
         10.5     Ratable Sharing............................................152
         10.6     Amendments and Waivers.....................................152
         10.7     Independence of Covenants..................................153
         10.8     Notices....................................................154
         10.9     Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.....154
         10.10    Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative......154
         10.11    Marshalling; Payments Set Aside............................155
         10.12    Severability...............................................155
         10.13    Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders' 
                  Rights.....................................................155
         10.14    Headings...................................................155
         10.15    Applicable Law.............................................156
         10.16    Successors and Assigns.....................................156
         10.17    Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.............156
         10.18    Waiver of Jury Trial.......................................157
         10.19    Confidentiality............................................157
         10.20    Counterparts; Effectiveness................................158
 
                  Signature pages                                            S-1


                                      (iv)
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBITS


I                 FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
II                FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
III               FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
IV                [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
V                 FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE
VI                FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
VII-A             FORM OF OPINION OF WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ
VII-B             FORM OF OPINION OF KURZMAN & EISENBERG
VIII              FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS
IX                FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
X                 FORM OF CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS
XI                FORM OF FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE
XII               FORM OF COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XIII              FORM OF COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XIV               FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XV                FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XVI               FORM OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XVII              FORM OF MORTGAGE
XVIII             FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCESS AGREEMENT
XIX               FORM OF BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
XX                FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT













                                      (v)
<PAGE>


                                    SCHEDULES


2.1               LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
4.1C              CORPORATE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE; OWNERSHIP;
                  MANAGEMENT
4.1E-I            INDEBTEDNESS TO BE REPAID UNDER AMSCAN CREDIT AGREEMENTS
4.1E-II           INDEBTEDNESS TO BE REPAID UNDER ANAGRAM CREDIT AGREEMENTS
5.1               SUBSIDIARIES OF COMPANY
5.5               REAL PROPERTY
5.6               LITIGATION
5.8               MATERIAL CONTRACTS
5.13              ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
6.11              CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
7.1               CERTAIN EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
7.2               CERTAIN EXISTING LIENS
7.3               CERTAIN EXISTING INVESTMENTS
7.4               CERTAIN EXISTING CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS
7.10              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES









                                      (vi)
<PAGE>
                             AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

              AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

         This AMENDED AND RESTATED  REVOLVING LOAN CREDIT  AGREEMENT is dated as
of September  17, 1998 and entered into by and among  AMSCAN  HOLDINGS,  INC., a
Delaware corporation  ("COMPANY"),  GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P., ("GSCP")
as arranger (in such capacity,  "ARRANGER"),  and as syndication  agent (in such
capacity,  "SYNDICATION  AGENT"),  THE  FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS  LISTED  ON  THE
SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each, including GSCP and Fleet (as hereinafter defined),
individually  referred to herein as a "LENDER" and  collectively  as "LENDERS"),
and FLEET NATIONAL BANK ("FLEET"),  as administrative agent for Lenders (in such
capacity, "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").


                                 R E C I T A L S
                                 - - - - - - - - 

         WHEREAS, Company, Arranger, Syndication Agent, Administrative Agent and
certain financial institutions  ("EXISTING LENDERS") are parties to that certain
Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement  dated as of December 19, 1997 (as  heretofore
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "EXISTING REVOLVING LOAN CREDIT
AGREEMENT")  pursuant to which  Existing  Lenders have extended  certain  credit
facilities  to Company,  a portion of the  proceeds of which were applied on the
Closing Date (this and other  capitalized  terms used in these recitals  without
definition  being used as defined  in  subsection  1.1) to fund a portion of the
Recapitalization Financing Requirements;

         WHEREAS,  Company is party to a separate AXEL Credit Agreement dated as
of December 19, 1997 (as heretofore amended, supplemented,  refinanced, renewed,
extended,  or otherwise modified from time to time, the "AXEL CREDIT AGREEMENT")
with Fleet  National  Bank, as  administrative  agent ("AXEL  FACILITY  AGENT"),
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., as arranger and syndication  agent,  and the
financial  institutions  party thereto as lenders ("AXEL  LENDERS")  pursuant to
which AXEL Lenders extended certain credit  facilities to Company on the Closing
Date to fund a portion of the Recapitalization Financing Requirements.

         WHEREAS,  on the Closing Date,  Administrative  Agent and AXEL Facility
Agent entered into the Intercreditor  Agreement pursuant to which Administrative
Agent and AXEL Facility Agent appointed  Fleet to serve as collateral  agent and
representative (in such capacity, "COLLATERAL AGENT") for Existing Lenders, AXEL
Lenders,  Administrative  Agent,  AXEL Facility Agent and the other agents under
the  Existing  Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement  and the AXEL Credit  Agreement
(collectively,  the  "SECURED  PARTIES")  and  

<PAGE>

agreed to the terms on which the Collateral,  the benefits of guarantees and the
proceeds thereof are to be shared between the credit facilities;

         WHEREAS,  Company has secured all of the Obligations under the Existing
Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement and under the other Loan Documents by granting
to Collateral  Agent,  on behalf of Secured  Parties,  a first  priority Lien on
substantially all of its real,  personal and mixed property,  including a pledge
of all of the capital stock of each of its Domestic  Subsidiaries and 66% of the
capital stock of each of its Foreign Subsidiaries;

         WHEREAS,  all of the Domestic  Subsidiaries  of Company have guarantied
the Obligations under the Existing Revolving Loan Credit Agreement and under the
other Loan  Documents  and secured  their  guaranties  by granting to Collateral
Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties,  a first priority Lien on substantially all
of their  respective  personal and mixed property,  including a pledge of all of
the capital stock of each of their respective  Domestic  Subsidiaries and 66% of
the capital stock of each of their respective Foreign Subsidiaries;

         WHEREAS, on the Restatement  Effective Date, Company intends to acquire
(the "ANAGRAM  ACQUISITION") all of the outstanding  Capital Stock (the "ANAGRAM
SHARES")  of  Anagram   International,   Inc.  and  certain  related   companies
(collectively,  "ANAGRAM") from Garry Kieves,  certain members of his family and
certain trusts  (collectively,  the "ANAGRAM  SELLERS")  pursuant to the Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement in exchange for  aggregate  consideration  consisting  of
$74,500,000  in cash plus 120 shares of  newly-issued  Company Common Stock (the
"NEW  COMPANY  SHARES")  plus  warrants to purchase 10 shares of Company  Common
Stock.

         WHEREAS,  Company  desires that Existing  Lenders amend and restate the
Existing  Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement in its entirety to permit Company to
consummate the Anagram Acquisition and to borrow Additional AXELs under the AXEL
Credit Agreement in an aggregate  principal amount of $40,000,000 to be added to
the Existing AXELs,  the proceeds of which will be used,  together with (i) cash
on hand at the Company and (ii) proceeds of  incremental  borrowings  under this
Agreement in an amount up to $23,500,000 plus the excess, if any, of $15,000,000
over the amount of cash on hand at the Company on the Restatement Effective Date
(1) to fund the cash portion of the consideration  for the Anagram  Acquisition,
(2) to refinance certain existing  indebtedness of Anagram and its Subsidiaries,
and (iii) to pay Anagram Transaction Costs;

         WHEREAS,  concurrently  with  the  amendment  and  restatement  of  the
Existing  Revolving Loan Credit  Agreement,  Company and AXEL Lenders will amend
and  restate the AXEL Credit  Agreement  in its  entirety in order to permit the
Additional  AXELs and the Anagram  Acquisition and to make certain other changes
in connection therewith.

         WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not
constitute a novation of the  obligations  and  liabilities of the parties under
the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  


<PAGE>

Credit Agreement or be deemed to evidence or constitute  repayment of all or any
portion of such  obligations  and  liabilities and that this Agreement amend and
restate in its  entirety  the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  Credit  Agreement  and
re-evidence the Obligations of Company outstanding thereunder; and

         WHEREAS,  it is  the  intent  of  Loan  Parties  to  confirm  that  all
Obligations  of Loan Parties under the other Loan  Documents  shall  continue in
full force and effect and that from and after the Restatement Effective Date all
references to the "REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT" contained therein shall be deemed
to refer to this Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants  herein  contained,  Company,  Lenders and Agents agree
that on the  Restatement  Effective  Date the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  Credit
Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:


                                   SECTION 1.
                                   DEFINITIONS

1.1      CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.

         The  following  terms used in this  Agreement  shall have the following
meanings:

                  "ACCOUNT" means,  with respect to any Person,  all present and
         future rights of such Person to payment for goods sold or leased or for
         services  rendered  (except those  evidenced by  instruments or chattel
         paper), whether now existing or hereafter arising and wherever arising,
         and whether or not they have been earned by performance.

                  "ADDITIONAL AXEL[Trademark]" or "ADDITIONAL  AXELS[Trademark]"
         means a loan  made by an AXEL  Lender  to  Company  as an  amortization
         extended  loan  pursuant  to  subsection  2.1A(ii)  of the AXEL  Credit
         Agreement.  The term AXEL is a registered trademark of Goldman, Sachs &
         Co.

                  "ADDITIONAL  AXEL  COMMITMENT"  means a commitment  of an AXEL
         Lender to make an Additional AXEL under the AXEL Credit Agreement,  and
         "ADDITIONAL  AXEL  COMMITMENTS"  means  such  commitments  of all  AXEL
         Lenders in the aggregate.

                  "ADDITIONAL  AXEL NOTES" means the promissory notes of Company
         issued pursuant to subsection 2.1E of the AXEL Credit  Agreement on the
         Restatement  Effective Date,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit III
         annexed  thereto,  as they may be amended,  supplemented  or  otherwise
         modified from time to time.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  "ADJUSTED  EURODOLLAR  RATE"  means,  for  any  Interest  Rate
         Determination  Date with respect to an Interest Period for a Eurodollar
         Rate Loan, the interest rate per annum (rounded  upward,  if necessary,
         to the nearest 1/32 of one percent) as  determined  on the basis of the
         offered  rates  for  deposits  in U.S.  dollars,  for a period  of time
         comparable to such  Interest  Period which appears on the Telerate Page
         3750 as of 11:00 a.m.  (New York  time) two  Business  Days  before the
         first day of such Interest Period; provided,  however, that if the rate
         described  above  does  not  appear  on  the  Telerate  System  on  any
         applicable  interest  determination date, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rates
         shall be the rate (rounded upward as described above, if necessary) for
         deposits  in U.S.  dollars  for a  period  substantially  equal  to the
         interest  period on the Reuters  Page "LIBO" (or such other page as may
         replace the LIBO page on that  service  for the  purpose of  displaying
         such rates),  as of 11:00 a.m.  (London  time) two Business Days before
         the first day of such Interest Period.

                  If both the Telerate and Reuters system are unavailable,  then
         the rate for that date will be  determined  on the basis of the offered
         rates for deposits in U.S.  dollars for a period of time  comparable to
         such  Interest  Period  which are  offered by four  major  banks in the
         London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York time) two
         Business Days before the first day of such Interest  Period as selected
         by the Administrative Agent. The principal London office of each of the
         four major London banks will be requested to provide a quotation of its
         U.S.  dollar deposit  offered rate. If at least two such quotations are
         provided,  the rate for that  date will be the  arithmetic  mean of the
         quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided as requested, the
         rate for that date will be  determined on the basis of the rates quoted
         for loans in U.S.  dollars  to leading  European  banks for a period of
         time  comparable to such Interest  Period offered by major banks in New
         York City at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York time) two Business Days
         before  the first day of such  Interest  Period.  In the event that the
         Administrative Agent is unable to obtain any such quotation as provided
         above,  it will be deemed that the  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate for such
         Interest Rate cannot be determined.

                  In the  event  that the  Board  of  Governors  of the  Federal
         Reserve System shall impose a Eurodollar  Rate Reserve  Percentage with
         respect to Eurocurrency  Liabilities,  the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for
         an Interest  Period shall be equal to the amount  determined  above for
         such Interest  Period  divided by a percentage  equal to 100% minus the
         Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage for such Interest Period.

                  "ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT" has the meaning  assigned to that term
         in the  introduction  to this Agreement and also means and includes any
         successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to subsection 9.5A.

                  "AFFECTED LENDER"  has the meaning  assigned  to that  term in
         subsection 2.6C.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                  "AFFILIATE",  as applied to any Person, means any other Person
         directly or  indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under  common
         control  with,  that  Person.  For the  purposes  of  this  definition,
         "control"   (including,    with   correlative   meanings,   the   terms
         "controlling",  "controlled  by" and "under common control  with"),  as
         applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of
         the  power to  direct  or cause the  direction  of the  management  and
         policies  of that  Person,  whether  through  the  ownership  of voting
         securities or by contract or otherwise.

                  "AGENT"  means,  individually,  each of Arranger,  Syndication
         Agent,  Collateral  Agent and  Administrative  Agent and "AGENTS" means
         Arranger, Syndication Agent, Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent,
         collectively.

                  "AGREEMENT"  means this  Amended and Restated  Revolving  Loan
         Credit  Agreement dated as of September 17, 1998, as it may be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "ANAGRAM"  has  the  meaning  assigned  to  such  term  in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                  "ANAGRAM ACQUISITION" has the meaning assigned to such term in
         the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "ANAGRAM  ACQUISITION  AGREEMENT"  means  the  Stock  Purchase
         Agreement  dated as of  August 6,  1998 by and  among  Company  and the
         Anagram Sellers and all exhibits and schedules thereto.

                  "ANAGRAM  HEADQUARTERS  FACILITY" means, as of the Restatement
         Effective  Date, the real property in Minnesota  owned in fee simple by
         Eden Prairie Holdings where Anagram's  headquarters  and  manufacturing
         site are located.

                  "ANAGRAM  INTERNATIONAL" means Anagram International,  Inc., a
         Minnesota corporation.

                  "ANAGRAM SELLERS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                  "ANAGRAM  SHARES" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                  "ANAGRAM TRANSACTION COSTS" means the fees, costs and expenses
         payable by Company in connection with the transactions  contemplated by
         the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement,  including without  limitation any
         fees  payable  to  Agents  and  Lenders  on or before  the  Restatement
         Effective Date in connection therewith.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  "APPLICABLE LEVERAGE RATIO" means, with respect to any date of
         determination,  the  Consolidated  Leverage Ratio set forth in the most
         recent Compliance  Certificate delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv)
         hereof,  provided that (i) the Applicable Leverage Ratio for the period
         from the Closing Date to but excluding the fifth Business Day following
         delivery of the first  Compliance  Certificate  pursuant to  subsection
         6.1(iv)  hereof,  shall be deemed to be no less  than  5.25:1,  (ii) no
         change in the Applicable  Leverage Ratio shall be effective  until five
         Business Days after the date on which  Administrative  Agent receives a
         Compliance  Certificate  pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv) calculating the
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio and (iii) in the event the Company fails to
         deliver  to  the   Administrative   Agent  a   Compliance   Certificate
         calculating  the   Consolidated   Leverage  Ratio  in  accordance  with
         subsection  6.1(iv)  when  required  thereunder,  then  the  Applicable
         Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be not less than 5.25:1 from the date
         such  Compliance  Certificate  was due until the date the Company shall
         deliver such Compliance Certificate.

                  "APPLICABLE  REVOLVING BASE RATE MARGIN" means, as at any date
         of  determination,  a rate per annum equal to the  percentage set forth
         below opposite the Applicable  Leverage Ratio in effect as of such date
         of determination with any change in the Applicable  Revolving Base Rate
         Margin to be effective on the date of any  corresponding  change in the
         Applicable Leverage Ratio.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   ================================================== ==============================================================
               APPLICABLE LEVERAGE RATIO                          APPLICABLE REVOLVING BASE RATE MARGIN
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                                                            <C>    

   5.25:1.00 or greater                                                           1.25%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   4.75:1.00 or greater, but less than 5.25:1.00                                  1.00%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   4.25:1.00 or greater, but less than 4.75:1.00                                  0.75%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   3.75:1.00 or greater, but less than 4.25:1.00                                  0.50%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   3.25:1.00 or greater, but less than 3.75:1.00                                  0.25%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   less than 3.25:1.00                                                            0.00%
   ================================================== ==============================================================
</TABLE>


                  "APPLICABLE  REVOLVING COMMITMENT FEE PERCENTAGE" means, as at
         any date of determination, a rate per annum equal to the percentage set
         forth below opposite the Applicable Leverage Ratio in effect as of such
         date of determination, any change



                                       6
<PAGE>

         in the Applicable  Revolving  Commitment Fee Percentage to be effective
         on the date of any  corresponding  change  in the  Applicable  Leverage
         Ratio:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   ================================================== ==============================================================
               APPLICABLE LEVERAGE RATIO                     APPLICABLE REVOLVING COMMITMENT FEE PERCENTAGE
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                                                           <C>  
   4.75:1.00 or greater                                                           0.50%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   3.75:1.00 or greater, but less than 4.75: 1.00                                0.375%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   less than 3.75:1.00                                                            0.25%
   ================================================== ==============================================================
</TABLE>

                  "APPLICABLE REVOLVING EURODOLLAR RATE MARGIN" means, as at any
         date of determination, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans a rate
         per  annum  equal  to the  percentage  set  forth  below  opposite  the
         Applicable Leverage Ratio in effect as of the first day of the Interest
         Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   ================================================== ==============================================================
               APPLICABLE LEVERAGE RATIO                       APPLICABLE REVOLVING EURODOLLAR RATE MARGIN
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                                                           <C>  
   5.25:1.00 or greater                                                           2.25%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   4.75:1.00 or greater, but less than 5.25: 1.00                                 2.00%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   4.25:1.00 or greater, but less than 4.75:1.00                                 1.750%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   3.75:1.00 or greater, but less than 4.25:1.00                                  1.50%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   3.25:1.00 or greater, but less than 3.75:1.00                                  1.25%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   2.75:1.00 or greater, but less than 3.25:1.00                                 0.875%
   -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   less than 2.75:1.00                                                           0.625%
   ================================================== ==============================================================
</TABLE>

                  "ARRANGER"  has  the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term in the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "ASSET  SALE"  means  the  sale  by  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries   to  any  Person   other  than  Company  or  any  of  its
         wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  of (i) any of the stock of any of Company's
         Subsidiaries,  (ii)  substantially all of the assets of any division or
         line of  business of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or (iii) any
         other 

                                       7
<PAGE>

         assets  (whether  tangible  or  intangible)  of  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  (other than (a) inventory sold in the ordinary  course of
         business  (b)  sales  of Cash  Equivalents  for the fair  market  value
         thereof, and (c) any such other assets to the extent that the aggregate
         value of such assets sold in any single  transaction  or related series
         of transactions is equal to $500,000 or less).

                  "ASSIGNMENT  AGREEMENT"  means (i) with  respect to the period
         ending on the Restatement  Effective  Date, an Assignment  Agreement in
         substantially the form of Exhibit VII annexed to the Existing Revolving
         Loan Credit Agreement, and (ii) thereafter,  an Assignment Agreement in
         substantially the form of Exhibit IX annexed hereto.

                  "AUXILIARY  PLEDGE  AGREEMENT"  means each pledge agreement or
         similar  instrument  governed  by the laws of a country  other than the
         United  States,  executed on the Closing  Date  pursuant to  subsection
         4.1I(v) of the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  Credit  Agreement  or on the
         Restatement  Effective Date pursuant to subsection 4.1H(v) or from time
         to time  thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8 by Company or any
         Domestic  Subsidiary  that owns  capital  stock of one or more  Foreign
         Subsidiaries   organized  in  such  country,   in  form  and  substance
         satisfactory to Collateral  Agent, as such Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreement
         may hereafter be amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified from time
         to time,  and  "AUXILIARY  PLEDGE  AGREEMENTS"  means  all such  pledge
         agreements or instruments, collectively.

                  "AXEL" or "AXELS" means the Existing  AXELs and the Additional
         AXELs, collectively.

                  "AXEL CREDIT  AGREEMENT" has the meaning assigned to that term
         in the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "AXEL FACILITY AGENT" has the meaning assigned to that term in
         the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "AXEL LENDER"  means a lender under the AXEL Credit  Agreement
         holding an outstanding  AXEL or having an Additional  AXEL  Commitment,
         and "AXEL  LENDERS"  means any such  lender or  lenders  under the AXEL
         Credit Agreement, collectively.

                  "AXEL LOAN  DOCUMENTS"  means the AXEL Credit  Agreement,  the
         AXEL Notes, the Subsidiary  Guaranty,  the Collateral Documents and the
         Intercreditor Agreement.

                  "AXEL  NOTES"  means (i) the  Existing  AXEL  Notes,  (ii) the
         Additional AXEL Notes, and (iii) any promissory notes of Company issued
         pursuant to the last sentence of subsection  9.1B(i) of the AXEL Credit
         Agreement  in  connection  with  


                                       8
<PAGE>

         assignments of the AXELs of any AXEL Lender, in each case substantially
         in the form of Exhibit  III annexed to the AXEL  Credit  Agreement,  as
         they may be amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified from time to
         time.

                  "BANKRUPTCY  CODE"  means  Title 11 of the United  States Code
         entitled "Bankruptcy", as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor
         statute.

                  "BASE RATE"  means,  at any time,  the higher of (x) the Prime
         Rate or (y) the rate which is 1/2 of 1% in excess of the Federal  Funds
         Effective Rate.

                  "BASE RATE LOANS" means  Revolving  Loans bearing  interest at
         rates  determined  by  reference  to  the  Base  Rate  as  provided  in
         subsection 2.2A.

                  "BORROWING  BASE" means, as at any date of  determination,  an
         aggregate  amount   (determined  with  reference  to  the  most  recent
         Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(xviii))
         equal to:

                  (i) eighty-five  percent (85%) of Eligible Accounts Receivable
                  of Company and Subsidiary Guarantors plus

                  (ii) fifty-five percent (55%) of Eligible Inventory of Company
                  and Subsidiary Guarantors minus

                  (iii) the  aggregate  amount of any  reserves  established  by
                  Administrative  Agent,  in the  exercise  of its  commercially
                  reasonable judgment,  against Eligible Accounts Receivable and
                  Eligible Inventory of Company and Subsidiary Guarantors;

         provided that Administrative Agent, in the exercise of its commercially
         reasonable  judgment,  may (a)  increase or decrease  reserves  against
         Eligible Accounts  Receivable and Eligible  Inventory of any Loan Party
         and (b) reduce the advance rates  provided in this  definition,  or (c)
         restore such  advance  rates to any level equal to or below the advance
         rates in effect as of the Closing Date and provided further that if any
         Inventory  is held on or in any  leased  property,  leased  trailer  or
         warehouse and the  applicable  lessor or  warehouseman  has not entered
         into a Collateral  Access Agreement in favor of  Administrative  Agent,
         Administrative  Agent  may take a  reserve  against  the  value of such
         Inventory  equal  to the  lesser  of (a) the  value  of such  Inventory
         included in the  Borrowing  Base and (b) two months  lease  payments or
         warehouse   storage  payments  payable  to  the  applicable  lessor  or
         warehouseman.

                  "BORROWING  BASE  CERTIFICATE"  means a completed  certificate
         substantially in the form of Exhibit XIX annexed hereto.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  "BUSINESS  DAY" means any day excluding  Saturday,  Sunday and
         any day  which is a legal  holiday  under  the laws of the State of New
         York or is a day on which  banking  institutions  located in such state
         are  authorized  or  required  by law or other  governmental  action to
         close.

                  "CAPITAL LEASE", as applied to any Person,  means any lease of
         any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee
         that, in  conformity  with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on
         the balance sheet of that Person.

                  "CASH" means money,  currency or a credit balance in a Deposit
         Account.

                  "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means, as at any date of determination, (i)
         marketable  securities  (a)  issued  or  directly  and  unconditionally
         guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government
         or (b)  issued by any agency of the United  States the  obligations  of
         which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States,  in
         each case  maturing  within one year after such date;  (ii)  marketable
         direct  obligations issued by any state of the United States of America
         or  any  political   subdivision  of  any  such  state  or  any  public
         instrumentality  thereof,  in each case maturing  within one year after
         such  date and  having,  at the time of the  acquisition  thereof,  the
         highest rating  obtainable  from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Group
         ("S&P")  or  Moody's  Investors  Service,   Inc.   ("MOODY'S");   (iii)
         commercial  paper  maturing  no more  than  one  year  from the date of
         creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition  thereof, a
         rating  of at least  A-1 from S&P or at least  P-1 from  Moody's;  (iv)
         certificates  of deposit or bankers'  acceptances  maturing  within one
         year  after such date and  issued or  accepted  by any Lender or by any
         commercial  bank  organized  under  the laws of the  United  States  of
         America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (a) is at
         least  "adequately  capitalized"  (as defined in the regulations of its
         primary  Federal  banking  regulator)  and (b) has Tier 1  capital  (as
         defined in such regulations) of not less than $100,000,000 (each Lender
         and each commercial bank being referred to herein as a "CASH EQUIVALENT
         BANK");  (v)  shares of any money  market  mutual  fund that (a) has at
         least  95%  of  its  assets  invested  continuously  in  the  types  of
         investments  referred  to in clauses  (i) and (ii)  above,  (b) has net
         assets of not less than  $500,000,000,  and (c) has the highest  rating
         obtainable from either S&P or Moody's; and (vi) with respect to Foreign
         Subsidiaries,  investments of the types  described in clause (iv) above
         issued by a Cash  Equivalent  Bank or any commercial bank of recognized
         international  standing  chartered  in the country  where such  Foreign
         Subsidiary  is domiciled  having  unimpaired  capital and surplus of at
         least $500,000,000.

                  "CERTIFICATE  OF MERGER" means the Certificate of Merger dated
         as of December 19, 1997 for the Merger of Newco with and into  Company,
         as in effect on the Closing Date.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                  "CERTIFICATE   RE  NON-BANK   STATUS"   means  a   certificate
         substantially  in the form of Exhibit X annexed  hereto  delivered by a
         Lender to Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii).

                  "CLOSING  DATE" means December 19, 1997, the date on which the
         initial  Revolving  Loans were made under the Existing  Revolving  Loan
         Credit Agreement.

                  "COLLATERAL"  means,  collectively,  all of the real, personal
         and  mixed  property  (including  capital  stock)  in which  Liens  are
         purported  to be  granted  pursuant  to  the  Collateral  Documents  as
         security for the Obligations.

                  "COLLATERAL  ACCESS  AGREEMENT"  means  any  landlord  waiver,
         mortgagee  waiver,  bailee  letter or any  similar  acknowledgement  or
         agreement  of any  landlord  in  respect  of  any  Leased  Property  or
         mortgagee  in respect of any real  property in which  Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries owns or holds a fee interest and which is subject to a
         mortgage,  held by such mortgagee,  in either case where any Collateral
         is  located or any  warehouseman  or  processor  in  possession  of any
         Inventory of any Loan Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit XVIII
         annexed  hereto  with  such  changes  thereto  as may be  agreed  to by
         Collateral Agent in the reasonable exercise of its discretion.

                  "COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS" has the meaning assigned to that term in
         the Intercreditor Agreement.

                  "COLLATERAL  AGENT" has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         the introduction to this Agreement.

                  "COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS" means the Company Pledge Agreement, the
         Company  Security  Agreement,  the Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreements,  the
         Subsidiary  Security  Agreements,  the Subsidiary  Patent and Trademark
         Security Agreements, the Mortgages, the Auxiliary Pledge Agreements and
         all other instruments or documents delivered by any Loan Party pursuant
         to this  Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in order to grant
         to Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties,  a Lien on any real,
         personal  or mixed  property  of that Loan  Party as  security  for the
         Obligations.

                  "COMMERCIAL  LETTER OF  CREDIT"  means any letter of credit or
         similar  instrument  issued for the  purpose of  providing  the primary
         payment  mechanism in  connection  with the purchase of any  materials,
         goods or services by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
         course of business of Company or such Subsidiary.

                  "COMPANY"  means Company as the surviving  corporation  in the
         Merger.

                  "COMPANY  COMMON  STOCK"  means the shares of common  stock of
         Company par value $0.10 per share.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  "COMPANY PLEDGE  AGREEMENT" means the Company Pledge Agreement
         executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in
         the  form  of  Exhibit  XII  annexed  hereto,  as such  Company  Pledge
         Agreement may hereafter be amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified
         from time to time.

                  "COMPANY  SECURITY   AGREEMENT"  means  the  Company  Security
         Agreement  executed  and  delivered  by  Company on the  Closing  Date,
         substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  XIII  annexed  hereto,  as such
         Company  Security  Agreement may hereafter be amended,  supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate  substantially in
         the form of Exhibit VI annexed hereto delivered to Administrative Agent
         and Lenders by Company pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv).

                  "CONFIDENTIAL   INFORMATION  MEMORANDUM"  means  that  certain
         Confidential  Information  Memorandum  prepared by GSCP relating to the
         AXELs and Existing Revolving Loans dated November 1997.

                  "CONFORMING  LEASEHOLD  INTEREST" means any Recorded Leasehold
         Interest  as to which the lessor has agreed in writing  for the benefit
         of Administrative Agent (which writing has been delivered to Collateral
         Agent),  whether  under the terms of the  applicable  lease,  under the
         terms of a Landlord Consent and Estoppel, or otherwise,  to the matters
         described in the definition of "Landlord  Consent and Estoppel,"  which
         interest,  if a  subleasehold  or  sub-subleasehold  interest,  is  not
         subject to any contrary  restrictions  contained in a superior lease or
         sublease.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  ADJUSTED EBITDA" means, for any period, the sum
         of the  amounts for such period of (i)  Consolidated  Net Income,  (ii)
         Consolidated  Interest  Expense,  (iii)  provisions  for taxes based on
         income,  (iv)  total  depreciation   expense,  (v)  total  amortization
         expense,   (vi)  to  the  extent  otherwise   deducted  in  determining
         Consolidated Net Income,  (a) non-recurring  expenses and fees relating
         to Company's  initial public offering in December 1996 in an amount not
         to exceed  $16,000,000  and (b) certain special bonuses paid by Company
         in 1996, in an aggregate  amount not to exceed  $4,200,000  pursuant to
         certain profit-sharing  arrangements that were terminated by Company in
         connection  with such  initial  public  offering,  (vii) to the  extent
         otherwise   deducted   in   determining    Consolidated   Net   Income,
         non-recurring   expenses  and  charges  relating  to  the  transactions
         contemplated  by the Related  Agreements,  the Loan  Documents  and the
         Anagram Acquisition  Agreement including any special bonuses payable in
         connection   therewith  and  (viii)  other   non-cash   items  reducing
         Consolidated Net Income including provisions for minority interests but
         only to the extent such items have been deducted from operating  income
         for such  period in  determining  Consolidated  Net  Income  less other
         non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income, all of the foregoing
         as determined on a consolidated  basis for Company and its Subsidiaries
         in conformity with GAAP.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  "CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means, for any period, the
         sum,  without  duplication,  of (i) the  aggregate of all  expenditures
         (whether paid in cash or other consideration or accrued as a liability)
         by Company and its Subsidiaries  during that period that, in conformity
         with GAAP, are included in "additions to property,  plant or equipment"
         or comparable  items  reflected in the  consolidated  statement of cash
         flows  of  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries,   but  excluding  any  such
         expenditures  relating to future  acquisitions  and (ii) the  aggregate
         amount of all additions to assets on the consolidated  balance sheet of
         Company and its Subsidiaries during that period in conformity with GAAP
         in  connection  with  Capital  Leases  consummated  by Company  and its
         Subsidiaries.   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Consolidated  Capital
         Expenditures  shall not include any amounts  reinvested  from Net Asset
         Sale Proceeds, Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds or any amounts spent
         on Permitted Business Acquisitions or the Anagram Acquisition.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  CASH INTEREST  EXPENSE" means,  for any period,
         amounts included in Consolidated  Interest Expense for such period paid
         or payable in Cash  (excluding  amortization of original issue discount
         and amortization of debt issuance costs).

                  "CONSOLIDATED  CURRENT  ASSETS"  means,  as  at  any  date  of
         determination,  the total assets of Company and its  Subsidiaries  on a
         consolidated  basis which may properly be classified as current  assets
         in conformity with GAAP, excluding any Cash and Cash Equivalents.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  CURRENT  LIABILITIES"  means, as at any date of
         determination, the total liabilities of Company and its Subsidiaries on
         a  consolidated  basis  which may  properly  be  classified  as current
         liabilities in conformity  with GAAP excluding all Revolving  Loans and
         the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  EXCESS CASH FLOW"  means,  for any  period,  an
         amount (if positive) equal to (i) the sum, without duplication,  of the
         amounts for such period of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and (b) the
         Consolidated  Working Capital  Adjustment  minus (ii) the sum,  without
         duplication,  of the  amounts  for such  period  of (a)  voluntary  and
         scheduled  repayments of Consolidated Total Debt (excluding  repayments
         of Revolving Loans except to the extent the Revolving Loan  Commitments
         are permanently  reduced in connection with such  repayments),  (b) the
         sum of Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures and any expenditures  during
         such  period  relating  to  acquisitions  to the extent  excluded  from
         Consolidated  Capital Expenditures (in each case net of any proceeds of
         any  related  financings  with  respect  to  such  expenditures),   (c)
         Consolidated Cash Interest Expense, (d) the provision for current taxes
         based on income of Company  and its  Subsidiaries  and  payable in cash
         with  respect to such  period and (e) any  non-recurring  restructuring
         charges and charges  related to cost  savings  paid in cash during such
         period.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                  "CONSOLIDATED  FIXED CHARGES" means,  for any period,  the sum
         (without   duplication)   of  the   amounts  for  such  period  of  (i)
         Consolidated Cash Interest Expense,  (ii) provisions for taxes based on
         income,  (iii) scheduled repayments of principal on the Loans and other
         Indebtedness,  and (iv) Consolidated Capital Expenditures to the extent
         paid for in cash,  all of the foregoing as determined on a consolidated
         basis for Company and its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any period,  total
         interest  expense (without  reduction for interest  income)  (including
         that portion attributable to Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP and
         capitalized interest) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
         basis with respect to all  outstanding  Indebtedness of Company and its
         Subsidiaries,  including (i) all commissions,  discounts and other fees
         and  charges  owed with  respect  to  letters  of credit  and  bankers'
         acceptance  financing and net costs under Interest Rate Agreements,  in
         each case,  attributable to such period and (ii) commitment fees on the
         unused  portion  of the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment  as set  forth  in
         subsection 2.3A, but excluding, however, (a) any amounts referred to in
         subsection  2.3B of the Existing  Revolving Loan Credit  Agreement that
         were  payable to Agents and  Existing  Lenders on or before the Closing
         Date and any amounts  referred to in subsection  2.3 of the AXEL Credit
         Agreement  as in effect on the  Closing  Date that were  payable to the
         AXEL Facility Agent,  any other agents under the AXEL Credit  Agreement
         and the AXEL Lenders on or before the Closing Date, and (b) any amounts
         referred  to in  subsection  2.3B  payable to Agents and  Lenders on or
         before the  Restatement  Effective Date and any amounts  referred to in
         subsection  2.3  of the  AXEL  Credit  Agreement  payable  to the  AXEL
         Facility  Agent,  any other agents under the AXEL Credit  Agreement and
         the AXEL Lenders on or before the Restatement Effective Date.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  LEVERAGE  RATIO"  means,  as  at  any  date  of
         determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date
         of  determination  to  (ii)   Consolidated   Adjusted  EBITDA  for  the
         four-Fiscal  Quarter period ending (a) on such date of determination or
         (b) if such  date of  determination  is not the  last  day of a  Fiscal
         Quarter,  on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter  immediately  preceding
         such date of determination.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  NET  INCOME"  means,  for any  period,  the net
         income  (or loss) of Company  and its  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated
         basis for such period taken as a single accounting period determined in
         conformity  with GAAP;  provided  that there shall be excluded  (i) the
         income (or loss) of any Person  (other than a Subsidiary of Company) in
         which any other Person (other than Company or any of its  Subsidiaries)
         has a joint  interest,  except to the extent of the amount of dividends
         or  other  distributions  actually  paid  to  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries  by such Person  during such  period,  (ii) the income (or
         loss) of any Person  accrued  prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary
         of Company or is merged into or consolidated with Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries  or that Person's assets are acquired by Company or any of

                                       14
<PAGE>

         its Subsidiaries,  (iii) the income of any Subsidiary of Company to the
         extent  that  the  declaration  or  payment  of  dividends  or  similar
         distributions  by that  Subsidiary  of that  income  is not at the time
         permitted by  operation  of the terms of its charter or any  agreement,
         instrument,  judgment,  decree,  order,  statute,  rule or governmental
         regulation  applicable to that Subsidiary,  (iv) any after-tax gains or
         losses  attributable  to Asset Sales or returned  surplus assets of any
         Pension  Plan,  and (v) (to the extent  not  included  in  clauses  (i)
         through  (iv)  above)  any  net  extraordinary  gains  or net  non-cash
         extraordinary losses; and provided,  further that, notwithstanding GAAP
         and the provisions of clause (ii) above,  Consolidated Net Income shall
         include,  for all purposes of this Agreement other than the calculation
         of  Consolidated  Excess Cash Flow, the income (or loss) of Anagram and
         its  Subsidiaries  or any Person  that is acquired by Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries in a Permitted Business Acquisition for any portion of
         such period prior to the consummation of the Anagram Acquisition or the
         applicable Permitted Business Acquisition, as the case may be.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO" means, as at any date of
         determination,  the ratio of (i)  Consolidated  Total Senior Debt as of
         such date of determination to (ii) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the
         four-Fiscal  Quarter period ending (a) on such date of determination or
         (b) if such  date of  determination  is not the  last  day of a  Fiscal
         Quarter,  on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter  immediately  preceding
         such date of determination.


                  "CONSOLIDATED   TOTAL   DEBT"   means,   as  at  any  date  of
         determination,  the  aggregate  stated  balance  sheet  amount  of  all
         Indebtedness  of  Company  and  its   Subsidiaries,   determined  on  a
         consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "CONSOLIDATED TOTAL SENIOR DEBT" means, as at any date of
         determination,  the  aggregate  stated  balance  sheet  amount  of  all
         Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries  (other than  Subordinated
         Debt), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  WORKING  CAPITAL"  means,  as at  any  date  of
         determination,  Consolidated  Current Assets minus Consolidated Current
         Liabilities.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  WORKING  CAPITAL  ADJUSTMENT"  means,  for  any
         period on a  consolidated  basis,  the amount  (which may be a negative
         number) equal to  Consolidated  Working  Capital as of the beginning of
         such period minus  Consolidated  Working  Capital as of the end of such
         period.

                  "CONTINGENT  OBLIGATION",  as applied to any Person, means any
         direct or indirect liability,  contingent or otherwise,  of that Person
         (i)  with  respect  to  any  Indebtedness,  lease,  dividend  or  other
         obligation of another if the primary  purpose or intent  thereof by the
         Person incurring the Contingent  Obligation is to provide  


                                       15
<PAGE>

         assurance  to the  obligee  of such  obligation  of  another  that such
         obligation  of  another  will  be  paid  or  discharged,  or  that  any
         agreements  relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders
         of such obligation will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss
         in respect  thereof,  (ii) with respect to any letter of credit  issued
         for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is  otherwise
         liable for reimbursement of drawings,  or (iii) under Hedge Agreements.
         Contingent  Obligations  shall  include  (a)  the  direct  or  indirect
         guaranty,  endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the
         ordinary course of business),  co-making,  discounting with recourse or
         sale with recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (b) the
         obligation  to  make   take-or-pay  or  similar  payments  if  required
         regardless  of  non-performance  by any other  party or  parties  to an
         agreement,  and (c) any liability of such Person for the  obligation of
         another  through  any  agreement   (contingent  or  otherwise)  (X)  to
         purchase,  repurchase  or  otherwise  acquire  such  obligation  or any
         security therefor,  or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of
         such  obligation  (whether  in  the  form  of  loans,  advances,  stock
         purchases,  capital  contributions or otherwise) or (Y) to maintain the
         solvency  or any  balance  sheet  item,  level of income  or  financial
         condition of another if, in the case of any agreement  described  under
         subclauses (X) or (Y) of this sentence,  the primary  purpose or intent
         thereof is as described in the  preceding  sentence.  The amount of any
         Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so
         guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if less, the amount to which such
         Contingent Obligation is specifically limited.

                  "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION",  as applied to any Person, means any
         provision  of any  Security  issued by that  Person or of any  material
         indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or
         other  instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any
         of its  properties is bound or to which it or any of its  properties is
         subject.

                  "CURRENCY  AGREEMENT"  means any  foreign  exchange  contract,
         currency swap agreement,  futures contract, option contract,  synthetic
         cap or other similar  agreement or  arrangement to which Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries is a party.

                  "DEFAULT  EXCESS"  has the  meaning  assigned  to that term in
         subsection 2.9.

                  "DEFAULT  PERIOD"  has the  meaning  assigned  to that term in
         subsection 2.9.

                  "DEFAULTED  REVOLVING  LOAN" has the meaning  assigned to that
         term in subsection 2.9.

                  "DEFAULTING  LENDER" has the meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.9.

                  "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" means a demand,  time, savings,  passbook or
         like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or
         like  organization,  other than an account  evidenced  by a  negotiable
         certificate of deposit.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  "DOLLARS" and the sign "$" mean the lawful money of the United
         States of America.

                  "DOMESTIC  SUBSIDIARY"  means a Subsidiary  of Company that is
         organized  under  the  laws  of a state  of the  United  States  or the
         District of Columbia.

                  "EDEN PRAIRIE  HOLDINGS"  means Anagram Eden Prairie  Property
         Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

                  "ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS  RECEIVABLE" means, with respect to Company
         or any Subsidiary  Guarantor,  the aggregate amount of Accounts of such
         Loan Party  deemed by  Administrative  Agent,  in the  exercise  of its
         commercially  reasonable judgment,  to be eligible for inclusion in the
         calculation of the Borrowing  Base. In determining  the amount to be so
         included,  the face  amount of such  Accounts  shall be  reduced by the
         amount of all returns, discounts, deductions, claims, credits, charges,
         or  other   allowances.   Unless  otherwise   approved  in  writing  by
         Administrative  Agent,  an Account  shall not be  included  in Eligible
         Account Receivable if:

                  (i) it arises out of a sale made by such Loan Party to another
                  Loan Party; or

                  (ii) it is unpaid for (a) more than 60 days after its due date
                  or (b) either  more than 120 days after the date of invoice if
                  such Account is not a Seasonal/Promotional Account or 180 days
                  after  the  date  of  the   invoice  if  such   Account  is  a
                  Seasonal/Promotional Account; or

                  (iii) it is from the same account  debtor or its Affiliate and
                  fifty  percent (50%) or more of all Accounts from that account
                  debtor (and its Affiliates)  are ineligible  under clause (ii)
                  above; or

                  (iv) when  aggregated  with all other  Accounts  of an account
                  debtor, such Account exceeds 15% in face value of all Accounts
                  of all Loan Parties then  outstanding,  but only to the extent
                  of  such  excess,  unless  such  excess  is  supported  by  an
                  irrevocable  letter  of  credit  or  other  form of  assurance
                  satisfactory to  Administrative  Agent (as to form,  substance
                  and  issuer)  and  assigned  to  and   directly   drawable  by
                  Administrative  Agent provided that this clause (iv) shall not
                  apply to Accounts of Party City Corporation; or

                  (v) the account  debtor for such Account is a creditor of such
                  Loan Party, has or has asserted a right of setoff against such
                  Loan Party,  or has  disputed its  liability or otherwise  has
                  made any  claim  with  respect  to such  Account  or any other
                  Account  which  has not  been  resolved,  in each  case to the
                  extent of the amount  owed by such Loan Party to such  account
                  debtor, the amount of 


                                       17
<PAGE>

                  such actual or asserted right of setoff, or the amount of such
                  dispute or claim, as the case may be; or

                  (vi) the account  debtor is (or its assets are) the subject of
                  an Insolvency Event; or

                  (vii) such  Account is not  payable in Dollars or the  account
                  debtor for such  Account is located  outside  the  continental
                  United  States,   unless  such  Account  is  supported  by  an
                  irrevocable  letter of credit  satisfactory to  Administrative
                  Agent (as to form,  substance  and issuer) and assigned to and
                  directly drawable by Administrative Agent; or

                  (viii) the sale to the account  debtor is on a  bill-and-hold,
                  guaranteed   sale,   sale-and-return,   sale  on  approval  or
                  consignment  basis or was made  pursuant to any other  written
                  agreement providing for repurchase or return; or

                  (ix)  Administrative   Agent  determines  by  its  own  credit
                  analysis that  collection of such Account is uncertain or that
                  such Account is not likely to be paid; or

                  (x) the account  debtor is the United States of America or any
                  department,  agency or  instrumentality  thereof,  unless such
                  Loan Party duly  assigns its rights to payment of such Account
                  to  Administrative  Agent pursuant to the Assignment of Claims
                  Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. [Section] 3727 et seq.); or

                  (xi)  unless  such   Account   relates  to   permitted   dated
                  receivables,  the goods  giving rise to such  Account have not
                  been  shipped  and  delivered  to and  accepted by the account
                  debtor, the services giving rise to such Account have not been
                  performed and  accepted,  or such Account  otherwise  does not
                  represent a final sale; or

                  (xii) such  Account does not comply with all  Requirements  of
                  Law, including the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the
                  Federal Truth in Lending Act and  Regulation Z of the Board of
                  Governors of the Federal Reserve System; or

                  (xiii)  such  Account  is  subject  to  any  adverse  security
                  deposit,  progress payment or other similar advance made by or
                  for the benefit of the applicable account debtor; or

                  (xiv)  such  Account is not  subject to a valid and  perfected
                  first priority Lien in favor of  Administrative  Agent for the
                  benefit  of  Lenders  or does  not  otherwise  conform  to the
                  representations and warranties contained in the Revolving Loan
                  Documents.

                                       18
<PAGE>

         provided that Administrative Agent, in the exercise of its commercially
         reasonable judgment,  may impose additional  restrictions (or eliminate
         the same) to the standards of eligibility set forth in this definition.

                  "ELIGIBLE  ASSIGNEE" means (A) (i) a commercial bank organized
         under  the laws of the  United  States  or any  state  thereof;  (ii) a
         savings and loan  association or savings bank organized  under the laws
         of the United  States or any state  thereof;  (iii) a  commercial  bank
         organized   under  the  laws  of  any  other  country  or  a  political
         subdivision  thereof;  provided that (x) such bank is acting  through a
         branch  or  agency  located  in the  United  States or (y) such bank is
         organized  under  the  laws  of a  country  that  is a  member  of  the
         Organization  for Economic  Cooperation  and Development or a political
         subdivision  of such  country;  and (iv) any other  entity  which is an
         "accredited  investor" (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities
         Act)  which  extends  credit  or buys  loans  as one of its  businesses
         including  insurance  companies,   mutual  funds  and  lease  financing
         companies; and (B) any Lender, and any Related Fund or any Affiliate of
         any Lender;  provided that no Loan Party or any  Subsidiary of any Loan
         Party shall be an Eligible Assignee.

                  "ELIGIBLE  INVENTORY"  means,  with  respect to Company or any
         Subsidiary  Guarantor,  the aggregate  amount of Inventory of such Loan
         Party  deemed  by   Administrative   Agent,  in  the  exercise  of  its
         commercially  reasonable judgment,  to be eligible for inclusion in the
         calculation of the Borrowing  Base. In determining  the amount to be so
         included, Inventory shall be valued at the lower of cost or market on a
         basis   consistent  with  such  Loan  Party's  current  and  historical
         accounting   practices.   Unless  otherwise   approved  in  writing  by
         Administrative  Agent,  an item of  Inventory  shall not be included in
         Eligible Inventory if:

                  (i) it is not owned  solely  by such  Loan  Party or such Loan
                  Party does not have good,  valid and marketable title thereto;
                  or

                  (ii) it is not located in the United States; or

                  (iii) it is not located on property (including trailers) owned
                  or leased by such Loan  Party or in a contract  warehouse,  in
                  each case subject to a Collateral Access Agreement executed by
                  any applicable mortgagee, lessor or contract warehouseman,  as
                  the case may be, (or, if not  subject to a  Collateral  Access
                  Agreement,  subject to such reserves against such Inventory as
                  the Administrative  Agent may deem appropriate as set forth in
                  the second proviso of the definition of "Borrowing  Base") and
                  segregated or otherwise separately  identifiable from goods of
                  others,  if any,  stored on the  premises;  provided  that any
                  goods in transit to  property  owned or leased by a Loan Party
                  or  to  a  contract  warehouse,  in  each  case  subject  to a
                  Collateral   Access  Agreement   executed  by  any  applicable
                  mortgagee,  lessor  or  contract  warehouseman,  shall  not be
                  excluded  under  this  clause  (iii)  so long as title to such
                  goods has 


                                       19
<PAGE>

                  passed  to a Loan  Party,  and  delivery  to the  property  or
                  warehouse of the Loan Party is reasonably  expected  within 15
                  days; or

                  (iv) it is not subject to a valid and perfected first priority
                  Lien in favor of  Collateral  Agent  except,  with  respect to
                  Inventory  stored at sites described in clause (iii) above, to
                  the extent  such Lien is  subject to Liens for unpaid  rent or
                  normal and customary  warehousing  charges;  provided that any
                  goods in transit to  property  owned or leased by a Loan Party
                  or  to  a  contract  warehouse,  in  each  case  subject  to a
                  Collateral   Access  Agreement   executed  by  any  applicable
                  mortgagee,  lessor  or  contract  warehouseman,  shall  not be
                  excluded under this clause (iv) so long as title to such goods
                  has passed to a Loan Party,  and  delivery to the  property or
                  warehouse of the Loan Party is reasonably  expected  within 15
                  days; or

                  (v) it is in  excess  of the  amount  required  for 18  months
                  supply  of such  item of  Inventory  based  on  sales  for the
                  12-month  period  ending  as of the end of the  most  recently
                  ended Fiscal Quarter,  provided that this clause (v) shall not
                  apply to Inventory in new stock keeping units first  purchased
                  or  produced  by  Company  on or after  the  first  day of the
                  12-month  period  ending  as of the end of the  most  recently
                  ended Fiscal Quarter; or

                  (vi) it  consists  of goods  returned or rejected by such Loan
                  Party's  customers  that  are not  first-quality  goods or are
                  obsolete  or goods in transit to third  parties  other than to
                  warehouse  sites or trailers  covered by a  Collateral  Access
                  Agreement  or subject to such  reserves as the  Administrative
                  Agent may deem  appropriate as set forth in the second proviso
                  of the definition of "Borrowing Base"; or

                  (vii) it is not  first-quality  goods,  is obsolete (i.e. such
                  item   is  not   included   in  the   Company's   current   or
                  next-scheduled  catalog) or does not otherwise  conform to the
                  representations and warranties contained in the Revolving Loan
                  Documents;

         provided that Administrative Agent, in the exercise of its commercially
         reasonable judgment,  may impose additional  restrictions (or eliminate
         the same) to the standards of eligibility set forth in this definition.

                  "EMPLOYEE  BENEFIT PLAN" means any "employee  benefit plan" as
         defined  in  Section  3(3)  of  ERISA  which  is or was  maintained  or
         contributed  to by  Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their
         respective ERISA Affiliates.

                  "EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENTS" means,  collectively,  the employment
         agreements  and stock and option  agreements  between  the  Company and
         certain  employees of the Company as set forth on Schedule 4.1C annexed
         hereto, in certain cases providing 


                                       20
<PAGE>

         for the exclusive  employment  of such Persons by Company,  in the form
         provided to Arranger and  Administrative  Agent  pursuant to subsection
         4.1C of the Existing Revolving Loan Credit Agreement on or prior to the
         Closing  Date or pursuant to  subsection  4.1C of this  Agreement on or
         prior to the Restatement Effective Date.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any investigation,  notice, notice
         of violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding,  demand, abatement order
         or  other  order  or  directive  (conditional  or  otherwise),  by  any
         governmental  authority or any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or
         in connection with any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental
         Law, (ii) in connection  with any Hazardous  Materials or any actual or
         alleged Hazardous Materials  Activity,  or (iii) in connection with any
         actual or alleged damage,  injury,  threat or harm to natural resources
         or the environment.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL  LAWS"  means  any and all  current  or  future
         statutes, ordinances,  orders, rules, regulations,  guidance documents,
         judgments,  Governmental  Authorizations,  or any other requirements of
         governmental   authorities  relating  to  (i)  environmental   matters,
         including those relating to any Hazardous Materials Activity,  (ii) the
         generation,  use,  storage,  transportation  or disposal  of  Hazardous
         Materials, or (iii) occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene,
         land use or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare,
         in any manner  applicable to Company or any of its  Subsidiaries or any
         Facility,   including   the   Comprehensive   Environmental   Response,
         Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. [Section] 9601 et seq.), the
         Hazardous  Materials  Transportation  Act (49 U.S.C.  [Section] 1801 et
         seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C.  [Section]
         6901 et seq.),  the  Federal  Water  Pollution  Control  Act (33 U.S.C.
         [Section] 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. [Section] 7401 et
         seq.),  the Toxic Substances  Control Act (15 U.S.C.  [Section] 2601 et
         seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
         [Section]  136 et seq.),  the  Occupational  Safety  and Health Act (29
         U.S.C.  [Section]  651 et  seq.),  the Oil  Pollution  Act  (33  U.S.C.
         [Section]  2701  et seq)  and  the  Emergency  Planning  and  Community
         Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C.  [Section] 11001 et seq.), each as amended
         or  supplemented,  any  analogous  present  or  future  state  or local
         statutes or laws, and any  regulations  promulgated  pursuant to any of
         the foregoing.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

                  "ERISA  AFFILIATE"  means,  as applied to any Person,  (i) any
         corporation  which is a member of a  controlled  group of  corporations
         within the meaning of Section  414(b) of the  Internal  Revenue Code of
         which that Person is a member;  (ii) any trade or business  (whether or
         not incorporated)  which is a member of a group of trades or businesses
         under  common  control  within the  meaning  of  Section  414(c) of the
         Internal  Revenue Code of which that Person is a member;  and (iii) any
         member of an  affiliated  service  group  within the meaning of Section
         414(m) or (o) of the Internal  Revenue  Code of which that Person,  any
         corporation  described  in clause  (i)  


                                       21
<PAGE>

         above or any trade or  business  described  in clause  (ii)  above is a
         member.   Any  former  ERISA   Affiliate  of  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries  shall  continue to be  considered  an ERISA  Affiliate of
         Company or such  Subsidiary  within the meaning of this definition with
         respect to the period such entity was an ERISA  Affiliate of Company or
         such  Subsidiary  and with respect to  liabilities  arising  after such
         period for which Company or such  Subsidiary  could be liable under the
         Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

                  "ERISA  EVENT"  means  (i) a  "reportable  event"  within  the
         meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations  issued thereunder
         with  respect  to any  Pension  Plan  (excluding  those  for  which the
         provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation);
         (ii) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of
         the Internal  Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or
         not waived in accordance  with Section  412(d) of the Internal  Revenue
         Code) or the  failure  to make by its due date a  required  installment
         under Section  412(m) of the Internal  Revenue Code with respect to any
         Pension  Plan or the  failure to make any  required  contribution  to a
         Multiemployer  Plan;  (iii) the provision by the  administrator  of any
         Pension  Plan  pursuant to Section  4041(a)(2)  of ERISA of a notice of
         intent to terminate  such plan in a distress  termination  described in
         Section  4041(c) of ERISA;  (iv) the withdrawal by Company,  any of its
         Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates  from any
         Pension Plan with two or more contributing  sponsors or the termination
         of any such  Pension Plan  resulting  in liability  pursuant to Section
         4063 or 4064 of ERISA;  (v) the  institution by the PBGC of proceedings
         to  terminate  any  Pension  Plan,  or the  occurrence  of any event or
         condition  which could  reasonably  be expected to  constitute  grounds
         under ERISA for the  termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to
         administer,  any Pension  Plan;  (vi) the  imposition  of  liability on
         Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective  ERISA
         Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of
         the  application of Section  4212(c) of ERISA;  (vii) the withdrawal of
         Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective  ERISA
         Affiliates in a complete or partial  withdrawal  (within the meaning of
         Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any  Multiemployer  Plan if there
         is any potential liability therefor,  or the receipt by Company, any of
         its  Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice
         from any Multiemployer  Plan that it is in reorganization or insolvency
         pursuant  to  Section  4241 or 4245 of  ERISA,  or that it  intends  to
         terminate  or has  terminated  under  Section  4041A or 4042 of  ERISA;
         (viii) the occurrence of an act or omission  which could  reasonably be
         expected  to  give  rise  to  the  imposition  on  Company,  any of its
         Subsidiaries  or any of their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates  of fines,
         penalties,  taxes or related  charges  under Chapter 43 of the Internal
         Revenue  Code or under  Section  409,  Section  502(c),  (i) or (l), or
         Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (ix) the
         assertion of a material  claim (other than routine claims for benefits)
         against any Employee  Benefit Plan other than a  Multiemployer  Plan or
         the assets thereof, or against Company,  any of its Subsidiaries or any
         of their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates in connection with any Employee
         Benefit 


                                       22
<PAGE>

         Plan;  (x) receipt from the Internal  Revenue  Service of notice of the
         failure  of any  Pension  Plan  (or any  other  Employee  Benefit  Plan
         intended to be qualified  under Section 401(a) of the Internal  Revenue
         Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code, or
         the failure of any trust  forming  part of any Pension  Plan to qualify
         for  exemption  from  taxation  under  Section  501(a) of the  Internal
         Revenue  Code;  or (xi) the  imposition  of a Lien  pursuant to Section
         401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal  Revenue Code or pursuant to ERISA
         with respect to any Pension Plan.

                  "EUROCURRENCY   LIABILITIES"  has  the  meaning  specified  in
         Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System,
         as in effect from time to time.

                  "EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS" means Revolving Loans bearing interest
         at rates  determined  by reference to the Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate as
         provided in subsection 2.2A.

                  "EURODOLLAR RATE RESERVE  PERCENTAGE"  means, for any Interest
         Period  for all  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans  comprising  part of the  same
         Borrowing,  the reserve percentage  applicable two Business Days before
         the first day of such  Interest  Period under  regulations  issued from
         time to time by the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System
         (or any  successor) for  determining  the maximum  reserve  requirement
         (including,  without limitation,  any emergency,  supplemental or other
         marginal reserve  requirement) for a member bank of the Federal Reserve
         System  in  New  York  City  with  respect  to  liabilities  or  assets
         consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities (or with respect to
         any other category of liabilities  that includes  deposits by reference
         to which the  interest  rate on  Eurodollar  Rate Loans is  determined)
         having a term equal to such Interest Period.

                  "EVENT  OF  DEFAULT"  means  each of the  events  set forth in
         Section 8.

                  "EXCHANGE ACT" means the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
         amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

                  "EXCHANGE RATE" means, on any date when an amount expressed in
         a currency  other than Dollars is to be determined  with respect to any
         Letter of  Credit,  the  nominal  rate of  exchange  of the  applicable
         Issuing Lender in the New York foreign exchange market for the purchase
         by such Issuing Lender (by cable transfer) of such currency in exchange
         for  Dollars at 12:00 noon (New York  time) one  Business  Day prior to
         such  date,  expressed  as a number of units of such  currency  per one
         Dollar.

                  "EXISTING AMSCAN CREDIT  AGREEMENTS"  means any and all credit
         agreements  entered into by Company  prior to the Closing Date, in each
         case as amended  prior to the  Closing  Date,  as set forth on Schedule
         4.1E-I.

                                       23
<PAGE>

                  "EXISTING ANAGRAM CREDIT  AGREEMENTS" means any and all credit
         agreements  entered into by Anagram and its Subsidiaries,  in each case
         as amended  prior to the  Restatement  Effective  Date, as set forth on
         Schedule 4.1E-II.

                  "EXISTING AXELS" means,  with respect to any AXEL Lender,  the
         AXELs under the AXEL Credit Agreement held by such AXEL Lender,  in the
         principal  amount of such AXELs  outstanding  immediately  prior to the
         Restatement  Effective  Date, and "EXISTING  AXELS" means such AXELs of
         all AXEL Lenders, collectively.

                  "EXISTING LENDER" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                  "EXISTING REVOLVING LOANS" means, with respect to any Existing
         Lender,  the Revolving  Loans under the Existing  Revolving Loan Credit
         Agreement held by such Existing Lender, in the principal amount of such
         Revolving  Loans  outstanding  immediately  prior  to  the  Restatement
         Effective  Date,  and "EXISTING  REVOLVING  LOANS" means such Revolving
         Loans of all Existing Lenders, collectively.

                  "EXISTING  REVOLVING  LOAN CREDIT  AGREEMENT"  has the meaning
         assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "EXISTING REVOLVING LOAN NOTES" means (i) the promissory notes
         of Company issued pursuant to subsection 2.1E of the Existing Revolving
         Loan Credit Agreement on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory notes
         issued by Company  pursuant to the last sentence of subsection  9.1B(i)
         of the Existing  Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement in  connection  with
         assignments of the Existing Revolving Loans of any Existing Lenders, in
         each case  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  III  annexed  to the
         Existing Revolving Loan Credit Agreement.

                  "FACILITIES"  means any and all real property  (including  all
         buildings,   fixtures  or  other  improvements  located  thereon)  now,
         hereafter or heretofore owned,  leased,  operated or used by Company or
         any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their  respective  predecessors  or
         Affiliates.

                  "FEDERAL  FUNDS  EFFECTIVE  RATE"  means,  for any  period,  a
         fluctuating  interest rate equal for each day during such period to the
         weighted average of the rates on overnight  Federal funds  transactions
         with members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by Federal funds
         brokers,  as published  for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
         Day, for the next preceding  Business Day) by the Federal  Reserve Bank
         of New York,  or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is
         a Business  Day,  the  average of the  quotations  for such day on such
         transactions  received by Administrative Agent from three Federal funds
         brokers of recognized standing selected by Administrative Agent.

                                       24
<PAGE>

                  "FEE PROPERTY"  means any real property owned in fee simple by
         any Loan Party, other than any such real property  designated from time
         to time  by  Collateral  Agent  in its  sole  discretion  as not  being
         required to be included in the Collateral.

                  "FINANCIAL  PLAN"  has the  meaning  assigned  to that term in
         subsection 6.1(xiii).

                  "FIRST PRIORITY" means,  with respect to any Lien purported to
         be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document,  that
         (i) such  Lien has  priority  over any  other  Lien on such  Collateral
         (other than Liens permitted  pursuant to subsection 7.2A) and (ii) such
         Lien is the only Lien  (other  than  Permitted  Encumbrances  and Liens
         permitted  pursuant  to  subsection  7.2) to which such  Collateral  is
         subject.

                  "FISCAL QUARTER" means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

                  "FISCAL  YEAR"  means  the  fiscal  year  of  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  ending on December 31 of each calendar year. For purposes
         of this  Agreement,  any particular  Fiscal Year shall be designated by
         reference to the calendar year in which such Fiscal Year ends.

                  "FLEET"  has  the  meaning   assigned  to  that  term  in  the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "FLOOD HAZARD PROPERTY" means a Mortgaged  Property located in
         an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having
         special flood or mud slide hazards.

                  "FOREIGN  SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary of Company other than
         a Domestic Subsidiary.

                  "FUNDING  AND  PAYMENT   OFFICE"   means  (i)  the  office  of
         Administrative  Agent located at Fleet National Bank, 1 Federal Street,
         Boston,   Massachusetts   02110,   or  (ii)   such   other   office  of
         Administrative  Agent as may from time to time  hereafter be designated
         as such in a  written  notice  delivered  by  Administrative  Agent  to
         Company and each Lender.

                  "FUNDING  DATE"  means the date of the  funding of a Revolving
         Loan.

                  "FUNDING  DEFAULT"  has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.9.

                  "GAAP" means,  subject to the  limitations on the  application
         thereof set forth in  subsection  1.2,  generally  accepted  accounting
         principles set forth in opinions and  pronouncements  of the Accounting
         Principles  Board  of  the  American   Institute  of  Certified  Public
         Accountants  and  statements  and   pronouncements   of  the  Financial

                                       25
<PAGE>

         Accounting  Standards  Board or in such other  statements by such other
         entity as may be approved by a  significant  segment of the  accounting
         profession,   in  each  case  as  the  same  are   applicable   to  the
         circumstances as of the date of determination.

                  "GOVERNMENTAL   AUTHORIZATION"  means  any  permit,   license,
         authorization,  plan, directive,  consent order or consent decree of or
         from any  federal,  state or local  governmental  authority,  agency or
         court.

                  "GSCP"  has  the   meaning   assigned  to  that  term  in  the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "GSII" means,  collectively,  GS Capital Partners II, L.P., GS
         Capital Partners II Offshore,  L.P.,  Goldman,  Sachs & Co. Verwaltungs
         GmbH, Stone Street Fund 1997, L.P. and Bridge Street Fund 1997, L.P.

                  "HAZARDOUS  MATERIALS"  means (i) any  chemical,  material  or
         substance  at any time  defined as or  included  in the  definition  of
         "hazardous  substances",  "hazardous  wastes",  "hazardous  materials",
         "extremely  hazardous waste",  "acutely hazardous waste",  "radioactive
         waste",   "biohazardous   waste",   "pollutant",   "toxic   pollutant",
         "contaminant", "restricted hazardous waste", "infectious waste", "toxic
         substances",  or any other term or expression  intended to define, list
         or  classify  substances  by reason of  properties  harmful  to health,
         safety  or  the  indoor  or  outdoor  environment   (including  harmful
         properties    such   as    ignitability,    corrosivity,    reactivity,
         carcinogenicity,  toxicity,  reproductive toxicity,  "TCLP toxicity" or
         "EP  toxicity"  or  words  of  similar   import  under  any  applicable
         Environmental  Laws); (ii) any oil,  petroleum,  petroleum  fraction or
         petroleum derived substance; (iii) any drilling fluids, produced waters
         and  other  wastes  associated  with the  exploration,  development  or
         production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal resources;  (iv) any
         flammable substances or explosives; (v) any radioactive materials; (vi)
         any  asbestos-containing   materials;   (vii)  urea  formaldehyde  foam
         insulation;  (viii)  electrical  equipment  which  contains  any oil or
         dielectric fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls; (ix) pesticides;
         and (x) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is
         prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or which
         may or could  pose a hazard to the  health  and  safety of the  owners,
         occupants  or any  Persons in the  vicinity  of any  Facility or to the
         indoor or outdoor environment.

                  "HAZARDOUS  MATERIALS  ACTIVITY"  means any past,  current  or
         future activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials,
         including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence,
         existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement,
         generation,   transportation,   processing,  construction,   treatment,
         abatement, removal, remediation,  disposal,  disposition or handling of
         any Hazardous  Materials,  and any corrective action or response action
         with respect to any of the foregoing.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                  "HEDGE  AGREEMENT"  means  an  Interest  Rate  Agreement  or a
         Currency Agreement  designed to hedge against  fluctuations in interest
         rates or currency values, respectively.

                  "INCREASED COST LENDER" has the meaning  assigned to that term
         in subsection 2.10.

                  "INDEBTEDNESS",  as  applied  to any  Person,  means  (i)  all
         indebtedness for borrowed money,  (ii) that portion of obligations with
         respect to Capital Leases that is properly classified as a liability on
         a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP, (iii) notes payable and drafts
         accepted representing  extensions of credit whether or not representing
         obligations for borrowed money, (iv) any obligation owed for all or any
         part of the deferred purchase price of property or services  (excluding
         any such obligations incurred under ERISA), which purchase price is (a)
         due more than six months from the date of incurrence of the  obligation
         in  respect  thereof  or 12  months  in the case of a bona  fide  trade
         payable or (b) evidenced by a note or similar written  instrument,  and
         (v) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned
         or held by that Person  regardless of whether the indebtedness  secured
         thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the
         credit of that Person.  Obligations  under Interest Rate Agreements and
         Currency  Agreements  constitute  (X) in the case of Hedge  Agreements,
         Contingent Obligations, and (Y) in all other cases, Investments, and in
         neither  case   constitute   Indebtedness.   Any   contingent   earnout
         obligations  incurred  pursuant  to any  acquisition  agreements  shall
         constitute  Contingent  Obligations and not Indebtedness until actually
         earned and thereafter shall constitute Indebtedness until paid.

                  "INDEMNITEE"   has  the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term  in
         subsection 10.3.

                  "INSOLVENCY  EVENT"  means,  with  respect to any Person,  the
         occurrence  of any of the events  described in  subsection  8.6 or 8.7;
         provided that,  solely for purposes of this definition,  any references
         to Company or any of its Subsidiaries in subsection 8.6 or 8.7 shall be
         deemed to be a reference to such Person.

                  "INSOLVENCY  LAWS"  means  the  Bankruptcy  Code or any  other
         applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or similar law now or hereafter in
         effect in the United States of America or any state thereof.

                  "INTELLECTUAL   PROPERTY"   means  all  patents,   trademarks,
         tradenames,  copyrights,  technology, know-how and processes used in or
         necessary   for  the  conduct  of  the  business  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries as currently  conducted that are material to the condition
         (financial  or  otherwise),  business or  operations of Company and its
         Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                                       27
<PAGE>

                  "INTERCREDITOR  AGREEMENT" means the  Intercreditor  Agreement
         dated as of December 19, 1997 among the Administrative  Agent, the AXEL
         Facility  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent the Company and the Subsidiary
         Guarantors as such agreement may hereafter be amended,  supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "INTEREST  PAYMENT  DATE"  means (i) with  respect to any Base
         Rate Loan, each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each
         year,  commencing  on the first  such date to occur  after the  Closing
         Date, and (ii) with respect to any  Eurodollar  Rate Loan, the last day
         of each  Interest  Period  applicable  to such  Eurodollar  Rate  Loan;
         provided that in the case of each Interest  Period of longer than three
         months  "Interest  Payment  Date" shall also  include each date that is
         three months, or an integral  multiple thereof,  after the commencement
         of such Interest Period.

                  "INTEREST  PERIOD"  has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.2B.

                  "INTEREST  RATE  AGREEMENT"   means  any  interest  rate  swap
         agreement,  interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement
         or other similar  agreement or  arrangement  to which Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries is a party.

                  "INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION  DATE" means, with respect to any
         Interest Period, the second Business Day prior to the first day of such
         Interest Period.

                  "INTERNAL  REVENUE  CODE" means the  Internal  Revenue Code of
         1986,  as amended to the date  hereof and from time to time  hereafter,
         and any successor statute.

                  "INVENTORY"  means,  with respect to any Person as of any date
         of  determination,  all goods,  merchandise and other personal property
         which are then held by such  Person  for sale or lease,  including  raw
         materials and work in process.

                  "INVESTMENT"  means (i) any  direct or  indirect  purchase  or
         other  acquisition  by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of, or of a
         beneficial  interest in, any Securities of any other Person  (including
         any  Subsidiary  of Company),  (ii) any direct or indirect  redemption,
         retirement,  purchase or other acquisition for value, by any Subsidiary
         of  Company   from  any  Person  other  than  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries,  of any equity  Securities of such Subsidiary,  (iii) any
         direct or indirect loan,  advance (other than advances to employees for
         moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar
         expenditures   in  the   ordinary   course  of   business)  or  capital
         contribution by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any other Person,
         including  all  indebtedness  and accounts  receivable  from that other
         Person that are not current  assets or did not arise from sales to that
         other Person in the ordinary course of business,  or (iv) Interest Rate
         Agreements or Currency  Agreements not constituting  Hedge  Agreements.
         The  amount  of any  Investment  shall  be the  original  cost  of such

                                       28
<PAGE>

         Investment  plus  the  cost  of  all  additions  thereto,  without  any
         adjustments   for  increases  or  decreases  in  value,  or  write-ups,
         write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

                  "IP  COLLATERAL"  means the  Collateral  under the  Subsidiary
         Patent and Trademark Security Agreements.

                  "ISSUING LENDER" means,  with respect to any Letter of Credit,
         the Lender which agrees or is otherwise  obligated to issue such Letter
         of Credit, determined as provided in subsection 3.1B(ii).

                  "JOINT  VENTURE" means a joint  venture,  partnership or other
         similar arrangement,  whether in corporate,  partnership or other legal
         form;  provided that in no event shall any corporate  Subsidiary of any
         Person be  considered  to be a Joint  Venture to which such Person is a
         party.

                  "LANDLORD  CONSENT AND  ESTOPPEL"  means,  with respect to any
         Leasehold  Property,  a  letter,  certificate  or other  instrument  in
         writing from the lessor under the related lease,  satisfactory  in form
         and  substance  to  Collateral  Agent,  pursuant  to which such  lessor
         agrees,  for  the  benefit  of  Collateral  Agent,  (i) to the  matters
         contained in the form of Collateral  Access  Agreement  applicable to a
         Leasehold  Property,  and (ii) to such other  matters  relating to such
         Leasehold   Property  as  Collateral  Agent  may  reasonably   request,
         including,  without limitation that without any further consent of such
         lessor or any further action on the part of the Loan Party holding such
         Leasehold Property,  such Leasehold Property may be encumbered pursuant
         to a Mortgage  and may be assigned to the  purchaser  at a  foreclosure
         sale or in a transfer in lieu of such a sale (and to a subsequent third
         party  assignee if  Collateral  Agent,  any Lender,  or an Affiliate of
         either so acquires such Leasehold Property).

                  "LEASEHOLD  PROPERTY" means any leasehold interest of any Loan
         Party as lessee under any lease of real  property,  other than any such
         leasehold interest  designated from time to time by Collateral Agent in
         its  sole  discretion  as not  being  required  to be  included  in the
         Collateral.

                  "LENDER"  and  "LENDERS"  means  the  persons   identified  as
         "Lenders" and listed on the signature pages of this Agreement, together
         with their  successors  and  permitted  assigns  pursuant to subsection
         10.1;  provided that the term "Lenders",  when used in the context of a
         particular  Commitment,  shall mean Lenders having that Commitment.  To
         the extent the context so requires,  the terms  "LENDER" and  "LENDERS"
         shall  include  "Lenders"  under,  and  as  defined  in,  the  Existing
         Revolving Loan Credit Agreement.

                                       29
<PAGE>

                  "LETTER OF CREDIT" or  "LETTERS  OF CREDIT"  means  Commercial
         Letters of Credit and Standby  Letters of Credit issued or to be issued
         by Issuing  Lenders for the account of Company  pursuant to  subsection
         3.1.

                  "LETTER   OF  CREDIT   USAGE"   means,   as  at  any  date  of
         determination,  the sum of (i) the maximum aggregate amount which is or
         at any time  thereafter  may become  available  for  drawing  under all
         Letters of Credit then  outstanding  plus (ii) the aggregate  amount of
         all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by Issuing Lenders and not
         theretofore reimbursed by Company (including any such reimbursement out
         of the proceeds of Revolving  Loans pursuant to subsection  3.3B).  For
         purposes of this definition, any amount described in clause (i) or (ii)
         of the preceding sentence which is denominated in a currency other than
         Dollars shall be valued based on the applicable  Exchange Rate for such
         currency as of the applicable date of determination.

                  "LIEN" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment,  security
         interest,  charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional
         sale or other  title  retention  agreement,  any  lease  in the  nature
         thereof,  and any  agreement  to give any  security  interest)  and any
         option,  trust or other  preferential  arrangement having the practical
         effect of any of the foregoing.

                  "LOAN  DOCUMENTS"  means the Revolving  Loan Documents and the
         AXEL Loan Documents.

                  "LOAN  PARTY"  means  each of  Company  and  any of  Company's
         Subsidiaries
         from time to time executing a Loan  Document,  and "LOAN PARTIES" means
         all such Persons, collectively.

                  "MANAGEMENT  INVESTORS"  means  the  management  officers  and
         employees  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  identified  as  Management
         Investors on Schedule 4.1C annexed hereto.

                  "MARGIN  STOCK"  has the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term in
         Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as
         in effect from time to time.

                  "MATERIAL  ADVERSE EFFECT" means (i) a material adverse effect
         upon the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial
         or  otherwise)  or prospects of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or
         (ii) the impairment in any material  respect of the ability of the Loan
         Parties,  taken as a whole, to perform,  or of Administrative  Agent or
         Lenders to enforce, the Obligations.

                  "MATERIAL CONTRACT" means any contract or other arrangement to
         which  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party  (other than the
         Loan  Documents)  for 


                                       30
<PAGE>

         which breach,  nonperformance,  cancellation  or failure to renew could
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  "MATERIAL DOMESTIC  SUBSIDIARY" means each Domestic Subsidiary
         of Company  now  existing  or  hereafter  acquired or formed by Company
         which,   on  a   consolidated   basis  for  such   Subsidiary  and  its
         Subsidiaries, (i) for the most recent Fiscal Year account for more than
         5% of the consolidated revenues of Company and its Subsidiaries or (ii)
         as at the end of such Fiscal Year, was the owner of more than 5% of the
         consolidated assets of Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that, for
         purposes of the calculations  contemplated by the foregoing clauses (i)
         and (ii), any Subsidiary of Company that was acquired by Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries  after the first day of the most recent Fiscal Year
         (whether  such  acquisition  was  consummated  during  such most recent
         Fiscal  Year or the current  Fiscal  Year) shall be deemed to have been
         acquired on and as of the first day of such most recent Fiscal Year.

                  "MATERIAL  LEASEHOLD  PROPERTY"  means  a  Leasehold  Property
         reasonably  determined by Administrative  Agent to be of material value
         as Collateral or of material importance to the operations of Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries;  provided,  however that no Leasehold Property
         with respect to which the aggregate  amount of all rents payable during
         any one  Fiscal  Year is not  expected  to exceed  $500,000  shall be a
         "Material Leasehold Property".

                  "MERGER"  means the merger of Newco  with and into  Company in
         accordance  with the  terms  of the  Recapitalization  Agreement,  with
         Company being the surviving corporation in such Merger.

                  "MORTGAGE" means a security  instrument (whether designated as
         a deed of trust or a mortgage or by any  similar  title)  executed  and
         delivered by any Loan Party,  substantially in the form of Exhibit XVII
         annexed  hereto or in such other form as may be approved by  Collateral
         Agent in its sole discretion, in each case with such changes thereto as
         may be recommended  by Collateral  Agent's local counsel based on local
         laws  or  customary   local  mortgage  or  deed  of  trust   practices.
         "MORTGAGES" means all such instruments collectively.

                  "MORTGAGED  PROPERTY" has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 6.9.

                  "MORTGAGE  POLICY"  has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 6.9.

                  "MULTIEMPLOYER  PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan which is
         a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

                                       31
<PAGE>

                  "NET ASSET SALE  PROCEEDS"  means,  with  respect to any Asset
         Sale,  Cash  payments  (including  any Cash received by way of deferred
         payment  pursuant  to,  or by  monetization  of, a note  receivable  or
         otherwise,  but only as and when so received)  received from such Asset
         Sale, net of any bona fide direct costs, including, without limitation,
         all  transaction  costs,  incurred in connection  with such Asset Sale,
         including (i) income taxes reasonably  estimated to be actually payable
         within two years of the date of such Asset Sale as a result of any gain
         recognized in  connection  with such Asset Sale and (ii) payment of the
         outstanding  principal  amount of,  premium  or  penalty,  if any,  and
         interest on any Indebtedness  that is secured by a Lien on the stock or
         assets in question and that is prior to the Lien securing the Revolving
         Loans on such stock or assets and is  required  to be repaid  under the
         terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale.

                  "NET INSURANCE/CONDEMNATION  PROCEEDS" means any Cash payments
         or proceeds  received by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (i) under
         any business  interruption or casualty insurance policy in respect of a
         covered loss thereunder or (ii) as a result of the taking of any assets
         of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  by any Person  pursuant  to the
         power of eminent domain,  condemnation  or otherwise,  or pursuant to a
         sale of any such assets to a purchaser  with such power under threat of
         such a  taking,  in each  case  net of (x) any  actual  and  reasonable
         documented  costs  incurred  by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
         connection  with the  adjustment or settlement of any claims of Company
         or such Subsidiary in respect  thereof and (y) any amounts  required to
         be applied to the repayment of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien which
         is prior to any Liens of the  Lenders  on the asset or assets  that are
         subject to the taking, condemnation or casualty but excluding, however,
         in each case any payments or proceeds relating to assets having a value
         of  $500,000  or less in any single  transaction  or related  series of
         transactions.

                  "NEW COMPANY SHARES" has the meaning  assigned to that term in
         the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "NEW  LENDER"  means  any  Lender  which  is a  party  to this
         Agreement on the  Restatement  Effective  Date which is not an Existing
         Lender.

                  "NEWCO"   means   Confetti   Acquisition,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
         corporation existing prior to the Merger.

                  "NEWCO COMMON STOCK" means the shares of common stock of Newco
         par value $0.10 per share to be converted into shares of Company Common
         Stock upon consummation of the Merger.

                  "NON-CONSENTING  LENDER" has the meaning assigned to that term
         in subsection 2.10.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                  "NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice substantially in the form
         of Exhibit I annexed  hereto  delivered  by  Company to  Administrative
         Agent pursuant to subsection 2.1B with respect to a proposed borrowing.

                  "NOTICE   OF    CONVERSION/CONTINUATION"    means   a   notice
         substantially  in the form of Exhibit II annexed  hereto  delivered  by
         Company  to  Administrative  Agent  pursuant  to  subsection  2.2D with
         respect to a proposed  conversion  or  continuation  of the  applicable
         basis for  determining  the interest rate with respect to the Revolving
         Loans specified therein.

                  "NOTICE  OF  ISSUANCE  OF  LETTER  OF  CREDIT"  means a notice
         substantially  in the form of Exhibit III annexed  hereto  delivered by
         Company to  Administrative  Agent  pursuant to subsection  3.1B(i) with
         respect to the proposed issuance of a Letter of Credit.

                  "OBLIGATIONS"  means all  obligations  of every nature of each
         Loan  Party  from  time  to time  owed  to  Agents,  Lenders  or  their
         respective   Affiliates  or  any  of  them  under  the  Revolving  Loan
         Documents,  whether for principal,  interest,  reimbursement of amounts
         drawn  under  Letters of Credit,  fees,  expenses,  indemnification  or
         otherwise.

                  "OFFICERS'  CERTIFICATE" means, as applied to any corporation,
         a certificate executed on behalf of such corporation by its chairman of
         the  board  (if an  officer)  or  its  president  or  one  of its  vice
         presidents  and by  its  chief  financial  officer  or  its  treasurer;
         provided  that  every  Officers'   Certificate   with  respect  to  the
         compliance  with a condition  precedent to the making of any  Revolving
         Loans  hereunder  shall  include  (i) a  statement  that the officer or
         officers  making or giving such  Officers'  Certificate  have read such
         condition and any  definitions  or other  provisions  contained in this
         Agreement  relating  thereto,  (ii) a statement that, in the opinion of
         the signers,  they have made or have caused to be made such examination
         or  investigation as is necessary to enable them to express an informed
         opinion as to whether or not such condition has been complied with, and
         (iii) a statement as to whether,  in the opinion of the  signers,  such
         condition has been complied with.

                  "OPERATING  LEASE" means, as applied to any Person,  any lease
         (including  leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of
         any property  (whether  real,  personal or mixed) that is not a Capital
         Lease other than any such lease under which that Person is the lessor.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation or any
         successor thereto.

                                       33
<PAGE>

                  "PENSION PLAN" means any Employee  Benefit Plan,  other than a
         Multiemployer  Plan,  which is subject to Section  412 of the  Internal
         Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

                  "PERMITTED  BUSINESS  ACQUISITION" has the meaning assigned to
         that term in subsection 7.7(vi).

                  "PERMITTED  ENCUMBRANCES"  means the following  types of Liens
         (excluding  any such Lien  imposed  pursuant to Section  401(a)(29)  or
         412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code or by ERISA, any such Lien relating
         to or imposed in connection with any Environmental  Claim, and any such
         Lien  expressly  prohibited  by  any  applicable  terms  of  any of the
         Collateral Documents):

                  (i) Liens for taxes,  assessments or  governmental  charges or
                  claims the payment of which is not,  at the time,  required by
                  subsection 6.3;

                  (ii) statutory  Liens of landlords,  statutory  Liens of banks
                  and  rights  of   set-off,   statutory   Liens  of   carriers,
                  warehousemen,  mechanics,  repairmen, workmen and materialmen,
                  and other Liens  imposed by law, in each case  incurred in the
                  ordinary course of business (a) for amounts not yet overdue or
                  (b) for amounts  that are overdue and that (in the case of any
                  such  amounts  overdue  for a period in excess of 15 days) are
                  being contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings,  so
                  long as (1) such reserves or other appropriate provisions,  if
                  any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made for any
                  such  contested  amounts,  and (2) in the case of a Lien  with
                  respect  to  any  portion  of  the  Collateral,  such  contest
                  proceedings  conclusively  operate  to  stay  the  sale of any
                  portion of the Collateral on account of such Lien;

                  (iii) Liens  incurred or deposits made in the ordinary  course
                  of  business  in  connection   with   workers'   compensation,
                  unemployment  insurance and other types of social security, or
                  to secure the performance of tenders,  statutory  obligations,
                  surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases,  government  contracts,
                  trade  contracts,  performance and  return-of-money  bonds and
                  other similar  obligations  (exclusive of obligations  for the
                  payment of borrowed money), so long as no foreclosure, sale or
                  similar  proceedings  have been  commenced with respect to any
                  portion of the Collateral on account thereof;

                  (iv) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event
                  of Default under subsection 8.8;

                  (v) leases or subleases granted to third parties in accordance
                  with any applicable terms of the Collateral  Documents and not
                  interfering in any material  respect with the ordinary conduct
                  of the  business  of  Company  or any 


                                       34
<PAGE>

                  of its  Subsidiaries or resulting in a material  diminution in
                  the value of any Collateral as security for the Obligations;

                  (vi)   easements,   rights-of-way,    covenants,   conditions,
                  restrictions,    encroachments,    and   other    defects   or
                  irregularities  in title,  in each case  which do not and will
                  not  interfere  in any  material  respect  with  the  ordinary
                  conduct of the business of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
                  or  result  in a  material  diminution  in  the  value  of any
                  Collateral as security for the Obligations;

                  (vii) any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under
                  any lease  permitted by  subsection  7.9, (b)  restriction  or
                  encumbrance  that the  interest  or title  of such  lessor  or
                  sublessor  may be  subject  to,  or (c)  subordination  of the
                  interest  of the lessee or  sublessee  under such lease to any
                  restriction or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause
                  (b), so long as the holder of such  restriction or encumbrance
                  agrees to  recognize  the rights of such  lessee or  sublessee
                  under such lease;

                  (viii)  Liens  arising  from filing UCC  financing  statements
                  relating solely to leases permitted by this Agreement;

                  (ix) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising
                  as a matter  of law to secure  payment  of  customs  duties in
                  connection with the importation of goods;

                  (x) any zoning or similar  law or right  reserved to or vested
                  in any  governmental  office or agency to control or  regulate
                  the use of any real property;

                  (xi)  Liens  securing   obligations  (other  than  obligations
                  representing Indebtedness for borrowed money) under operating,
                  reciprocal  easement or similar agreements entered into in the
                  ordinary  course of business of Company and its  Subsidiaries;
                  and

                  (xii) licenses of patents,  trademarks and other  intellectual
                  property rights granted by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
                  in the ordinary  course of business and not interfering in any
                  material  respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of
                  Company or such Subsidiary.

                  "PERSON"  means and includes  natural  persons,  corporations,
         limited   partnerships,   general   partnerships,   limited   liability
         companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint
         Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land
         trusts,  business trusts or other  organizations,  whether or not legal
         entities, and governments (whether federal, state or local, domestic or

                                       35
<PAGE>

         foreign, and including political  subdivisions thereof) and agencies or
         other administrative or regulatory bodies thereof.

                  "PLEDGED   COLLATERAL"  means,   collectively,   the  "Pledged
         Collateral"  as  defined  in  the  Company  Pledge  Agreement  and  the
         Subsidiary Pledge Agreements.

                  "POTENTIAL  EVENT OF DEFAULT" means a condition or event that,
         after  notice or lapse of time or both,  would  constitute  an Event of
         Default.

                  "PRIME RATE" means the rate that Fleet  announces from time to
         time as its prime  lending  rate,  as in effect from time to time.  The
         Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not  necessarily  represent the
         lowest or best rate  actually  charged  to any  customer.  Fleet or any
         other  Lender  may make  commercial  loans  or other  loans at rates of
         interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

                  "PRO FORMA BASIS" means(i) with respect to compliance with the
         Consolidated  Leverage  Ratio for  purposes of  subsection  7.1 (viii),
         compliance with the Consolidated  Leverage Ratio after giving effect to
         acquisitions  and  incurrence  or  assumption  of any  Indebtedness  in
         connection  therewith,  and (ii) with  respect to  compliance  with the
         Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio for purposes of subsection 7.7 (vi),
         compliance  with the  Consolidated  Senior  Leverage Ratio after giving
         effect to acquisitions and incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness
         in  connection  therewith.   For  purposes  of  such  calculations  any
         Indebtedness  incurred  under  subsection  7.1  (viii)  or  7.7(vi)  or
         otherwise  incurred  or  assumed  in  connection  with  an  acquisition
         subsequent to the beginning of the four quarter calculation period, but
         on or prior to the date of  calculation  of the  Consolidated  Leverage
         Ratio or the  Consolidated  Senior  Leverage Ratio, as the case may be,
         shall be deemed to have been  incurred or assumed at the  beginning  of
         such four quarter calculation  period. In addition,  for such purposes,
         acquisitions will be given pro forma effect as follows:

                  (i)      (A)  acquisitions  that  have  been made or are being
                           made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries during
                           the  four-quarter  reference  period or subsequent to
                           such  reference   period  and  on  or  prior  to  the
                           calculation   date  (including   through  mergers  or
                           consolidations  and including  any related  financing
                           transactions) shall be deemed to have occurred on the
                           first day of the four-quarter reference period, and

                           (B) for purposes of determining the pro forma effects
                           of any such acquisition, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
                           shall be increased to reflect the  annualized  amount
                           of any cost  savings  expected  by the  Company to be
                           realized in connection  with such  acquisition  (from
                           steps  to  be  taken   not   later   than  the  first
                           anniversary   of  such   acquisition,   and   without
                           reduction for any  non-recurring  charges expected in
                           connection with such acquisition), as set forth in an
                           Officers' Certificate signed by


                                       36
<PAGE>

                           the Company's  chief  executive  and chief  financial
                           officers  (which  shall  be   determinative  of  such
                           matters)   which   states  (x)  the  amount  of  such
                           increase,  (y)  that  such  increase  is based on the
                           reasonable  beliefs of the  officers  executing  such
                           Officers'  Certificate  at the time of such execution
                           (and  that  estimates  of  cost  savings  from  prior
                           acquisitions  have been  reevaluated and updated) and
                           (z) that any related  incurrence of  Indebtedness  is
                           permitted pursuant to this Agreement.

                  (ii)  Consolidated  Adjusted EBITDA shall be further increased
                  to reflect the annualized  amount of any cost savings expected
                  by  the  Company  but  not  yet  realized  in  respect  of any
                  acquisition  made  by  the  Company  during  the  four  fiscal
                  quarters  immediately  preceding the four-quarter  calculation
                  period prior to the calculation  date, to the extent such cost
                  savings are (x)  expected to result from steps taken not later
                  than the first anniversary of the relevant acquisition and (y)
                  determined and certified as set forth in clause (i) above.

         In addition,  in  calculating  the  Consolidated  Leverage Ratio or the
         Consolidated  Senior Leverage  Ratio, as the case may be,  discontinued
         operations will be given pro forma effect by excluding any Consolidated
         Adjusted EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations,  as determined
         in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of on or
         prior to the calculation date.

                  "PRO  RATA  SHARE"  means  with   respect  to  all   payments,
         computations   and  other  matters   relating  to  the  Revolving  Loan
         Commitment  or the  Revolving  Loans of any  Lender or any  Letters  of
         Credit issued or participations  therein  purchased by any Lender,  the
         percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Revolving Loan Exposure of that
         Lender by (y) the aggregate  Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders, in
         any  such  case  as  the  applicable  percentage  may  be  adjusted  by
         assignments permitted pursuant to subsection 10.1.

                  "PTO" means the United States  Patent and Trademark  Office or
         any successor or  substitute  office in which filings are necessary or,
         in the  opinion  of the  Administrative  Agent,  desirable  in order to
         create or perfect Liens on any IP Collateral.

                  "QUALIFIED PUBLIC OFFERING" means any sale of capital stock of
         the Company to the public pursuant to an offering  registered under the
         Securities  Act of 1933  pursuant  to which the Company  receives  cash
         proceeds  (net  of  all  fees  and  expenses  (including   underwriting
         discounts  and  legal,  investment  banking  and  accounting  and other
         professional  fees) and  disbursements  actually incurred in connection
         therewith) in an amount not less than $50,000,000.

                  "REAL PROPERTY ASSET" means, at any time of determination, any
         interest then owned by any Loan Party in any real property.

                                       37
<PAGE>

                  "RECAPITALIZATION  AGREEMENT" means that certain Agreement and
         Plan of Merger  between  Company and Newco dated as of August 10, 1997,
         in the form  delivered  to Arranger,  Administrative  Agent and Lenders
         prior  to  their  execution  of  the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  Credit
         Agreement  and as such  agreement may hereafter be amended from time to
         time thereafter to the extent permitted under subsection 7.15A.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION CONSIDERATION" means payments required under
         Article II of the Recapitalization Agreement.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION   DOCUMENTS"   means  the   Recapitalization
         Agreement  and all  other  instruments  or  documents  relating  to the
         Recapitalization Agreement.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION  FINANCING REQUIREMENTS" means the aggregate
         of all amounts necessary (i) to pay the Recapitalization Consideration,
         (ii) to  refinance  all  Indebtedness  outstanding  under the  Existing
         Amscan Credit Agreements, and (iii) to pay Recapitalization Transaction
         Costs.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTION COSTS" means the fees, costs and
         expenses  payable  by  Company  in  connection  with  the  transactions
         contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements,  in each
         case as in effect on the Closing Date.

                  "RECORDED  LEASEHOLD INTEREST" means a Leasehold Property with
         respect to which a Record  Document (as  hereinafter  defined) has been
         recorded in all places  necessary or desirable,  in Collateral  Agent's
         reasonable  judgment,  to give  constructive  notice of such  Leasehold
         Property to third-party  purchasers and  encumbrancers  of the affected
         real  property.  For  purposes  of this  definition,  the term  "RECORD
         DOCUMENT" means, with respect to any Leasehold Property,  (a) the lease
         evidencing such Leasehold  Property or a memorandum  thereof,  executed
         and acknowledged by the owner of the affected real property, as lessor,
         or (b) if such  Leasehold  Property was acquired or subleased  from the
         holder of a Recorded Leasehold Interest,  the applicable  assignment or
         sublease  document,  executed and acknowledged by such holder,  in each
         case  in  form  sufficient  to  give  such  constructive   notice  upon
         recordation   and  otherwise  in  form   reasonably   satisfactory   to
         Administrative Agent.

                  "REGISTER" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
         2.1D.

                  "REGULATION D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
         the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

                  "REIMBURSEMENT  DATE" has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 3.3B.

                                       38
<PAGE>

                  "RELATED AGREEMENTS" means,  collectively,  the Certificate of
         Merger, the Stockholders Agreement, the Employment Agreements,  the Tax
         Indemnification  Agreement,  the  Recapitalization  Agreement  and  the
         Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  "RELATED  FUND"  means,  with  respect to any Lender that is a
         fund that invests in commercial  loans,  any other fund that invests in
         commercial loans and is managed by the same investment  advisor as such
         Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

                  "RELEASE"  means  any  release,   spill,  emission,   leaking,
         pumping, pouring, injection,  escaping,  deposit, disposal,  discharge,
         dispersal,  dumping,  leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into
         the  indoor  or  outdoor  environment  (including  the  abandonment  or
         disposal  of  any  barrels,  containers  or  other  closed  receptacles
         containing  any  Hazardous  Materials),  including  the movement of any
         Hazardous   Materials   through  the  air,   soil,   surface  water  or
         groundwater.

                  "REPLACEMENT  LENDER" has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.10.

                  "REQUIREMENT  OF LAW" means,  with respect to any Person,  (i)
         the  certificate  or  articles  of  incorporation,  by-laws  and  other
         organizational  or governing  documents  of such Person,  (ii) any law,
         treaty,  rule,  regulation or determination of an arbitrator,  court or
         other  governmental  authority  binding  on such  Person  or any of its
         property, or (iii) any franchise,  license, lease, permit, certificate,
         authorization,  qualification,  easement,  right  of way,  or  right of
         approval binding on such Person or any of its property.

                  "REQUIRED  PREPAYMENT  DATE" has the meaning  assigned to that
         term in subsection 2.4.

                  "REQUISITE  LENDERS" means Lenders having or holding more than
         50% of the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

                  "RESTATEMENT  EFFECTIVE  DATE"  means  the  date on or  before
         October  31,  1998  on  which  (i)  the  conditions  precedent  to  the
         effectiveness  of this  Agreement set forth in subsection  4.1 shall be
         satisfied and (ii) the conditions precedent set forth in subsection 4.2
         shall be satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "RESTRICTED  JUNIOR  PAYMENT"  means (i) any dividend or other
         distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class
         of stock of Company  now or  hereafter  outstanding,  except a dividend
         payable  solely in shares of that class of stock to the holders of that
         class,  (ii)  any  redemption,  retirement,  sinking  fund  or  similar
         payment,  purchase or other acquisition for value,  direct or indirect,
         of any  shares  of 


                                       39
<PAGE>

         any class of stock of Company now or hereafter  outstanding,  (iii) any
         payment made to retire,  or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding
         warrants,  options or other  rights to  acquire  shares of any class of
         stock of Company now or hereafter outstanding,  and (iv) any payment or
         prepayment  of  principal  of,  premium,  if any,  or  interest  on, or
         redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or
         legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any
         Subordinated Indebtedness.

                  "REVOLVING LOAN  COMMITMENT"  means the commitment of a Lender
         to make  Revolving  Loans to Company  pursuant to subsection  2.1A, and
         "REVOLVING LOAN  COMMITMENTS"  means such commitments of all Lenders in
         the aggregate.

                  "REVOLVING  LOAN COMMITMENT  TERMINATION  DATE" means December
         31, 2002.

                  "REVOLVING LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Revolving
         Notes,   the   Letters  of  Credit  (and  any   applications   for,  or
         reimbursement agreements or other documents or certificates executed by
         Company  in favor of an Issuing  Lender  relating  to,  the  Letters of
         Credit), the Subsidiary Guaranty, the Collateral Documents, any Hedging
         Agreements with Lenders and the Intercreditor Agreement.

                  "REVOLVING LOAN EXPOSURE" means, with respect to any Lender as
         of any  date of  determination  (i)  prior  to the  termination  of the
         Revolving Loan Commitments, that Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment and
         (ii) after the termination of the Revolving Loan  Commitments,  the sum
         of (a) the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of the  Revolving
         Loans of that  Lender  plus (b) in the event that  Lender is an Issuing
         Lender,  the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all Letters
         of Credit issued by that Lender (in each case net of any participations
         purchased   by  other   Lenders  in  such  Letters  of  Credit  or  any
         unreimbursed  drawings thereunder) plus (c) the aggregate amount of all
         participations  purchased by that Lender in any outstanding  Letters of
         Credit or any unreimbursed drawings under any Letters of Credit.

                  "REVOLVING  LOANS"  means the loans made by Lenders to Company
         pursuant to subsection 2.1A.

                  "REVOLVING  NOTES" means (i) the  promissory  notes of Company
         issued  pursuant to  subsection  2.1E on the Closing  Date and (ii) any
         promissory  notes  issued by Company  pursuant to the last  sentence of
         subsection  10.1B(i) in connection  with  assignments  of the Revolving
         Loan  Commitments  and  Revolving  Loans of any  Lenders,  in each case
         substantially  in the form of Exhibit V annexed hereto,  as they may be
         amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "SEASONAL/PROMOTIONAL ACCOUNTS" means (i) Accounts relating to
         sales of merchandise  which Accounts are categorized as seasonal by the
         Company  consistent  


                                       40
<PAGE>

         with  past  practices  and  (ii)  Accounts  which  are  categorized  as
         promotional  consistent with past practices of the Company because such
         Accounts are with new Account Debtors  (including,  without limitation,
         new stores for existing Account Debtors) or relate to new products.

                  "SECURED PARTIES" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "SECURITIES" means any stock, shares,  partnership  interests,
         voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in
         any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement,  options, warrants, bonds,
         debentures,  notes,  or other  evidences  of  indebtedness,  secured or
         unsecured,  convertible,  subordinated or otherwise,  or in general any
         instruments  commonly  known as  "securities"  or any  certificates  of
         interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates
         for the  purchase  or  acquisition  of, or any right to  subscribe  to,
         purchase or acquire,  any of the foregoing  provided that  "Securities"
         shall not include any earnout  agreement or  obligation or any employee
         bonus or other incentive compensation plan or agreement.

                  "SECURITIES  ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
         from time to time, and any successor statute.

                  "SENIOR  SUBORDINATED  NOTE  INDENTURE"  means  the  indenture
         pursuant to which the Senior  Subordinated  Notes are  issued,  as such
         indenture  may  hereafter  be  amended  from time to time to the extent
         permitted under subsection 7.15B.

                  "SENIOR   SUBORDINATED   NOTES"  means  the   $110,000,000  in
         aggregate principal amount of 9,875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
         of Company issued pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  "SOLVENT"  means,  with respect to any Person,  that as of the
         date of determination  both (A) (i) the then fair saleable value of the
         property  of such  Person  is (y)  greater  than the  total  amount  of
         liabilities  (including contingent  liabilities) of such Person and (z)
         not less than the  amount  that will be  required  to pay the  probable
         liabilities  on such  Person's  then  existing  debts  as  they  become
         absolute  and  matured  considering  all  financing   alternatives  and
         potential asset sales  reasonably  available to such Person;  (ii) such
         Person's capital is not unreasonably  small in relation to its business
         or any  contemplated or undertaken  transaction;  and (iii) such Person
         does not intend to incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe)
         that it will incur,  debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they
         become due; and (B) such Person is "solvent"  within the meaning  given
         that  term  and  similar  terms  under   applicable  laws  relating  to
         fraudulent transfers and conveyances.  For purposes of this definition,
         the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as
         the  amount  that,  in  light  of all of the  facts  and  circumstances
         existing at such time,  represents  the amount that can  reasonably  be
         expected to become an actual or matured liability.

                                       41
<PAGE>

                  "STANDBY  LETTER OF CREDIT" means any standby letter of credit
         or  similar  instrument  issued  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  (i)
         Indebtedness  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in  respect  of
         industrial  revenue or development  bonds or financings,  (ii) workers'
         compensation  liabilities of Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  (iii)
         the  obligations  of third  party  insurers  of  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  arising  by  virtue  of  the  laws  of  any  jurisdiction
         requiring  third  party  insurers,  (iv)  obligations  with  respect to
         Capital   Leases  or  Operating   Leases  of  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries,   and  (v)  performance,   payment,   deposit  or  surety
         obligations  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  in any  case if
         required by law or  governmental  rule or  regulation  or in accordance
         with custom and practice in the industry; provided that Standby Letters
         of Credit may not be issued for the  purpose  of  supporting  (a) trade
         payables or (b) any  Indebtedness  constituting  "antecedent  debt" (as
         that term is used in Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code).

                  "STOCKHOLDERS  AGREEMENT"  means  the  Stockholders  Agreement
         dated as of December 19, 1997 by and among Company, GSII, the Estate of
         John A. Svenningsen and certain other individuals and as such agreement
         may heretofore  have been or hereafter may be amended from time to time
         to  the  extent  permitted  under  subsection  7.14A  of  the  Existing
         Revolving Loan Credit Agreement or subsection 7.13 of this Agreement.

                  "SUBORDINATED  INDEBTEDNESS"  means  (i) the  Indebtedness  of
         Company evidenced by the Senior  Subordinated  Notes and (ii) any other
         Indebtedness  of  Company  subordinated  in  right  of  payment  to the
         Obligations   pursuant   to   documentation    containing   maturities,
         amortization schedules,  covenants,  defaults, remedies,  subordination
         provisions and other material terms in form and substance  satisfactory
         to Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders.

                  "SUBSIDIARY"   means,   with   respect  to  any  Person,   any
         corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint
         venture  or other  business  entity of which more than 50% of the total
         voting power of shares of stock or other ownership  interests  entitled
         (without  regard to the occurrence of any  contingency)  to vote in the
         election  of  the  Person  or  Persons  (whether  directors,  managers,
         trustees or other  Persons  performing  similar  functions)  having the
         power to direct or cause the direction of the  management  and policies
         thereof is at the time owned or controlled,  directly or indirectly, by
         that Person or one or more of the other  Subsidiaries of that Person or
         a combination thereof.

                  "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" means, collectively, (i) any Subsidiary
         of Company that executed and delivered a counterpart  of the Subsidiary
         Guaranty on the Closing Date or from time to time  thereafter  pursuant
         to subsection 6.8 of the Existing  Revolving Loan Credit  Agreement and
         (ii) any Subsidiary of Company that executes and delivers a counterpart
         of the Subsidiary  Guaranty on the  Restatement  Effective Date or from
         time to time thereafter pursuant to subsection 6.8.

                                       42
<PAGE>

                  "SUBSIDIARY   GUARANTY"  means  the  Subsidiary  Guaranty  (i)
         heretofore   executed  and  delivered  by  certain  existing   Domestic
         Subsidiaries  of  Company  on the  Closing  Date or  from  time to time
         thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8 of the Existing  Revolving
         Loan  Credit  Agreement  and  (ii)  to be  executed  and  delivered  by
         additional   Domestic   Subsidiaries  of  Company  on  the  Restatement
         Effective  Date and from time to time  thereafter  in  accordance  with
         subsection  6.8,  substantially  in the  form of  Exhibit  XIV  annexed
         hereto,  as  such  Subsidiary  Guaranty  may  heretofore  have  been or
         hereafter may be amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified from time
         to time.

                  "SUBSIDIARY PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT" means (i)
         each Subsidiary Patent and Trademark  Security  Agreement  executed and
         delivered by any Subsidiary Guarantor on the Restatement Effective Date
         and (ii)  each  Subsidiary  Patent  and  Trademark  Security  Agreement
         executed and delivered by any additional Subsidiary Guarantor from time
         to time  thereafter in  accordance  with  subsection  6.8, in each case
         substantially  in the  form  of  Exhibit  XX  annexed  hereto,  as such
         Subsidiary  Patent and  Trademark  Security  Agreement may hereafter be
         amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time,  and
         "SUBSIDIARY  PATENT AND TRADEMARK  SECURITY  AGREEMENTS" means all such
         Subsidiary Patent and Trademark Security Agreements, collectively.

                  "SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means (i) each Subsidiary Pledge
         Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary Guarantor on
         the Closing Date or from time to time  thereafter  in  accordance  with
         subsection 6.8 of the Existing  Revolving Loan Credit  Agreement,  (ii)
         each  Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreement  executed  and  delivered  by a new
         Subsidiary Guarantor on the Restatement  Effective Date, and (iii) each
         Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreement  executed and delivered by any additional
         Subsidiary  Guarantor from time to time  thereafter in accordance  with
         subsection  6.8, in each case  substantially  in the form of Exhibit XV
         annexed hereto, as such Subsidiary Pledge Agreement may heretofore have
         been or hereafter may be amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified
         from time to time, and "SUBSIDIARY  PLEDGE  AGREEMENTS"  means all such
         Subsidiary Pledge Agreements, collectively.

                  "SUBSIDIARY  SECURITY  AGREEMENT"  means  (i) each  Subsidiary
         Security  Agreement  executed and  delivered by an existing  Subsidiary
         Guarantor  on the  Closing  Date or from  time  to time  thereafter  in
         accordance  with  subsection 6.8 of the Existing  Revolving Loan Credit
         Agreement,   (ii)  each  Subsidiary  Security  Agreement  executed  and
         delivered by a new Subsidiary  Guarantor on the  Restatement  Effective
         Date,  and  (iii)  each  Subsidiary  Security  Agreement  executed  and
         delivered  by any  additional  Subsidiary  Guarantor  from time to time
         thereafter   in   accordance   with   subsection   5.8,  in  each  case
         substantially  in the  form of  Exhibit  XVI  annexed  hereto,  as such
         Subsidiary Security Agreement may heretofore have been or hereafter may
         be amended,  supplemented or otherwise  modified from time to time, and

                                       43
<PAGE>

         "SUBSIDIARY  SECURITY  AGREEMENTS"  means all such Subsidiary  Security
         Agreements, collectively.

                  "SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL  AGENT" has the meaning  assigned to
         that term in subsection 9.1D.

                  "SYNDICATION  AGENT" has the meaning  assigned to that term in
         the introduction to this Agreement.

                  "TAX" or  "TAXES"  means  any  present  or future  tax,  levy,
         impost,  duty, charge,  fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and
         whatever  called,  by whomsoever,  on whomsoever and wherever  imposed,
         levied,  collected,  withheld or  assessed;  provided  that "TAX ON THE
         OVERALL NET INCOME" of a Person  shall be construed as a reference to a
         tax imposed by the jurisdiction in which that Person is organized or in
         which that Person's principal office (and/or,  in the case of a Lender,
         its lending office) is located or in which that Person (and/or,  in the
         case of a Lender, its lending office) is deemed to be doing business on
         all or part of the net income, profits or gains (whether worldwide,  or
         only insofar as such income,  profits or gains are  considered to arise
         in or to relate to a particular  jurisdiction,  or  otherwise)  of that
         Person (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office).

                  "TAX INDEMNIFICATION  AGREEMENT" means the Tax Indemnification
         Agreement dated as of August 10, 1997 by and between Company, Christine
         Svenningsen and the Estate of John A. Svenningsen and as such agreement
         may heretofore  have been or hereafter may be amended from time to time
         to  the  extent  permitted  under  subsection  7.14A  of  the  Existing
         Revolving Loan Credit Agreement or subsection 7.13 of this Agreement.

                  "TERMINATED  LENDER" has the meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.10.

                  "TITLE  COMPANY"  means,   collectively   one  or  more  title
         insurance  companies  that  are  members  of ALTA  and  are  reasonably
         satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent.

                  "TOTAL UTILIZATION OF REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS" means, as at
         any  date of  determination,  the sum of (i)  the  aggregate  principal
         amount of all  outstanding  Revolving Loans (other than Revolving Loans
         made for the purpose of reimbursing  the applicable  Issuing Lender for
         any amount  drawn  under any  Letter of Credit but not yet so  applied)
         plus (ii) the Letter of Credit Usage.

                  "UCC"  means the  Uniform  Commercial  Code (or any similar or
         equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

                                       44
<PAGE>

                  "UNREINVESTED ASSET SALE PROCEEDS" means that portion, if any,
         of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds  that shall not have been  reinvested by
         Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  in the  business  of  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  within six months after the date of receipt by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds or, in the case
         of Net Asset  Sale  Proceeds  from the sale of the  Chester,  New York,
         Montreal, Quebec or Melbourne,  Australia properties,  (i) that portion
         of Net Asset Sale Proceeds  that is not subject to a binding  agreement
         with a third party to  reinvest  such Net Asset Sale  Proceeds  entered
         into within six months after the date of receipt of such Net Asset Sale
         Proceeds or (ii) if subject to such a binding  agreement,  that portion
         of such Net Asset Sale  Proceeds  that  shall not have been  reinvested
         within nine months of such binding  agreement,  such reinvestment to be
         evidenced  by  an  Officers'  Certificate,  satisfactory  in  form  and
         substance   to   Administrative   Agent,   delivered   by   Company  to
         Administrative  Agent prior to the expiration of such six-month  period
         and  demonstrating  in reasonable  detail the  reinvestment of such Net
         Asset Sale Proceeds as aforesaid.


1.2      ACCOUNTING TERMS; UTILIZATION OF GAAP FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATIONS 
         UNDER AGREEMENT

         Except  as  otherwise   expressly  provided  in  this  Agreement,   all
accounting terms not otherwise  defined herein shall have the meanings  assigned
to them in conformity  with GAAP.  Financial  statements  and other  information
required to be  delivered by Company to Lenders  pursuant to clauses (i),  (ii),
(iii) and (xiii) of subsection 6.1 shall be prepared in accordance  with GAAP as
in effect  at the time of such  preparation  (and  delivered  together  with the
reconciliation  statements provided for in subsection  6.1(v)).  Calculations in
connection  with  the  definitions,  covenants  and  other  provisions  of  this
Agreement  shall utilize  accounting  principles and policies in conformity with
those used to prepare the financial statements referred to in subsection 5.3.

1.3      OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

         A. Any of the terms defined  herein may,  unless the context  otherwise
requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference.

         B. References to "Sections" and "subsections"  shall be to Sections and
subsections,  respectively,  of this  Agreement  unless  otherwise  specifically
provided.

         C. The use herein of the word "include" or "including",  when following
any general  statement,  term or matter,  shall not be  construed  to limit such
statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately
following such word or to similar items or matters,  whether or not  nonlimiting
language  (such as  "without  limitation"  or "but not  limited  to" or words of
similar  import) is used with reference  thereto,  but rather 


                                       45
<PAGE>

shall be deemed to refer to all other  items or  matters  that fall  within  the
broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.


                                   SECTION 2.
                   AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.1      COMMITMENTS; MAKING OF LOANS; THE REGISTER; NOTES.

         A.  COMMITMENTS.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and in reliance upon the  representations  and  warranties of Company herein set
forth, each Lender hereby severally agrees, subject to the limitations set forth
below with  respect to the maximum  amount of  Revolving  Loans  permitted to be
outstanding  from time to time,  to maintain or to lend to Company,  as the case
may be, from time to time during the period from the Restatement  Effective Date
to but excluding the Revolving Loan  Commitment  Termination  Date, an aggregate
amount not exceeding its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the Revolving
Loan  Commitments  to be used for the purposes  identified in  subsection  2.5A.
Company  acknowledges  and confirms  that each  Existing  Lender holds  Existing
Revolving Loans in the respective  principal  amounts  outstanding  prior to the
Restatement  Effective  Date set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed
hereto.  The  aggregate  amount  of the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  as of the
Restatement  Effective  Date is  $50,000,000;  provided that the Revolving  Loan
Commitments  of Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any  assignments  of
the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  pursuant to subsection  10.1B;  and provided,
further that the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitments  shall be reduced from
time  to  time  by the  amount  of  any  reductions  thereto  made  pursuant  to
subsections 2.4A(ii) and 2.4A(iii). Company hereby represents, warrants, agrees,
covenants  and  (1)  reaffirms  that  it has  no  defense,  set  off,  claim  or
counterclaim against any Agent or Lender in regard to its Obligations in respect
of such Existing  Revolving  Loans and (2) reaffirms its  obligation to pay such
Existing  Revolving  Loans in accordance  with the terms and  conditions of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Based on the foregoing, (A) Company and
each  Lender  agree  that the  Existing  Revolving  Loans and any  amounts  owed
(whether or not presently due and payable, and including all interest accrued to
the  Restatement  Effective  Date (which  shall be payable on the next  Interest
Payment  Date  with  respect  to the  Revolving  Loans  to which  such  interest
relates)) by Company to Lenders  thereunder or in respect  thereof shall,  as of
the  Restatement  Effective  Date, be converted to,  maintained  as, and owed by
Company  under and in  respect  of  Revolving  Loans  hereunder.  Each  Lender's
Revolving  Loan  Commitment  shall  expire  on  the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment
Termination  Date and all Revolving  Loans and all other amounts owed  hereunder
with respect to the Revolving Loans and the Revolving Loan Commitments  shall be
paid in full no later than that date.  Amounts  borrowed  under this  subsection
2.1A may be repaid and reborrowed to but excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date.

                                       46
<PAGE>

         Anything  contained in this Agreement to the contrary  notwithstanding,
the Revolving Loans and the Revolving Loan  Commitments  shall be subject to the
following limitations in the amounts and during the periods indicated:

         (i)  in  no  event  shall  the  Total  Utilization  of  Revolving  Loan
         Commitments   at  any  time  exceed  either  (a)  the  Revolving   Loan
         Commitments then in effect or (b) the sum of the Borrowing Base then in
         effect  plus (1) all  amounts up to  $23,500,000  spent on the  Anagram
         Acquisition  and (2) all amounts  spent  through such time on Permitted
         Business  Acquisitions  (in each case other than amounts funded through
         equity issuances or indebtedness other than Revolving Loans); and

         (ii) for 30  consecutive  days  during  each  consecutive  twelve-month
         period,  the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of all Revolving
         Loans  shall  not  exceed  $10,000,000  plus  (1)  all  amounts  up  to
         $23,500,000 spent on the Anagram  Acquisition and (2) all amounts spent
         through  any  given  date  of  determination   on  Permitted   Business
         Acquisitions  (in each case other than amounts  funded  through  equity
         issuances or indebtedness other than Revolving Loans).

         B. BORROWING MECHANICS. Revolving Loans made on any Funding Date (other
than  Revolving  Loans  made  pursuant  to  subsection  3.3B for the  purpose of
reimbursing  any  Issuing  Lender for the amount of a drawing  under a Letter of
Credit issued by it) shall be in an aggregate  minimum  amount of (x) $1,000,000
and  integral  multiples  of  $100,000  in excess of that  amount in the case of
Eurodollar  Rate Loans and (y) $100,000  and  integral  multiples of $100,000 in
excess of that amount in the case of Base Rate Loans.  Whenever  Company desires
that Lenders make  Revolving  Loans it shall deliver to  Administrative  Agent a
Notice of Borrowing no later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) at least three
Business  Days in  advance  of the  proposed  Funding  Date  (in  the  case of a
Eurodollar  Rate Loan) or at least one  Business  Day in advance of the proposed
Funding Date (in the case of a Base Rate Loan).  The Notice of  Borrowing  shall
specify (i) the proposed  Funding Date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the
amount requested, (iii) whether such Revolving Loans shall be Base Rate Loans or
Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  (iv) in the case of any Revolving Loans requested to be
made as Eurodollar Rate Loans, the initial  Interest Period  requested  therefor
and (v) that,  after giving effect to the requested  Revolving  Loans, the Total
Utilization  of Revolving  Loan  Commitments  will not exceed the Revolving Loan
Commitment  then in effect or the sum of the Borrowing  Base then in effect plus
amounts (up to $23,500,000) spent on the Anagram  Acquisition plus amounts spent
on  Permitted  Business  Acquisitions  (in each case other than  amounts  funded
through equity issuances or indebtedness other than Revolving Loans).  Revolving
Loans may be continued as or converted into Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar  Rate
Loans in the manner  provided in  subsection  2.2D.  In lieu of  delivering  the
above-described  Notice of  Borrowing,  Company  may give  Administrative  Agent
telephonic  notice by the  required  time of any proposed  borrowing  under this
subsection  2.1B;  provided  that such  notice  shall be promptly  confirmed  in
writing by  delivery  of a Notice of  Borrowing  to  Administrative  Agent on or
before the applicable Funding Date.

                                       47
<PAGE>

         Neither  Administrative  Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to  Company  in  acting  upon any  telephonic  notice  referred  to  above  that
Administrative  Agent  believes  in good  faith  to have  been  given  by a duly
authorized  officer or other person authorized to borrow on behalf of Company or
for otherwise  acting in good faith under this subsection 2.1B, and upon funding
of Revolving Loans by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement  pursuant to any
such telephonic notice Company shall have effected Revolving Loans hereunder.

         Company shall notify  Administrative  Agent prior to the funding of any
Revolving  Loans in the  event  that any of the  matters  to  which  Company  is
required to certify in the applicable  Notice of Borrowing is no longer true and
correct as of the applicable  Funding Date, and the acceptance by Company of the
proceeds of any Revolving Loans shall constitute a re-certification  by Company,
as of the  applicable  Funding  Date,  as to the  matters  to which  Company  is
required to certify in the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

         Except as  otherwise  provided in  subsections  2.6B,  2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Borrowing  for a Eurodollar  Rate Loan (or  telephonic  notice in lieu
thereof)  shall  be   irrevocable  on  and  after  the  related   Interest  Rate
Determination Date, and Company shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance
therewith.

         C.  DISBURSEMENT  OF FUNDS.  All Revolving  Loans under this  Agreement
shall be made by Lenders  simultaneously and proportionately to their respective
Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any
default  by any  other  Lender  in  that  other  Lender's  obligation  to make a
Revolving  Loan requested  hereunder nor shall the Revolving Loan  Commitment of
any  Lender be  increased  or  decreased  as a result of a default  by any other
Lender in that other  Lender's  obligation  to make a Revolving  Loan  requested
hereunder.  Promptly  after  receipt  by  Administrative  Agent of a  Notice  of
Borrowing  pursuant to subsection  2.1B (or telephonic  notice in lieu thereof),
Administrative  Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed  borrowing.  Each
Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Loan  available to  Administrative
Agent not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the  applicable  Funding
Date, in same day funds in Dollars, at the Funding and Payment Office. Except as
provided in  subsection  3.3B with respect to Revolving  Loans used to reimburse
any Issuing  Lender for the amount of a drawing  under a Letter of Credit issued
by it, upon  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  precedent  specified in
subsections  4.1 (in the case of Revolving  Loans made on the Closing  Date) and
4.2 (in the case of all Revolving  Loans),  Administrative  Agent shall make the
proceeds of such Revolving Loans available to Company on the applicable  Funding
Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars  equal to the proceeds of
all such  Revolving  Loans received by  Administrative  Agent from Lenders to be
credited to the account of Company at the Funding and Payment Office.

         Unless  Administrative  Agent  shall have been  notified  by any Lender
prior to the  Funding  Date for any  Revolving  Loans that such  Lender does not
intend to make  available to  Administrative  Agent the amount of such  Lender's
Revolving Loan requested on such 


                                       48
<PAGE>

Funding  Date,  Administrative  Agent may assume  that such Lender has made such
amount available to Administrative Agent on such Funding Date and Administrative
Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to, make available
to Company a  corresponding  amount on such Funding Date. If such  corresponding
amount is not in fact made  available  to  Administrative  Agent by such Lender,
Administrative  Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding  amount on
demand from such Lender together with interest  thereon,  for each day from such
Funding Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative  Agent, at the
customary  rate set by  Administrative  Agent for the correction of errors among
banks for three  Business  Days and  thereafter at the Base Rate. If such Lender
does not pay such  corresponding  amount forthwith upon  Administrative  Agent's
demand therefor,  Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Company and Company
shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent together
with interest  thereon,  for each day from such Funding Date until the date such
amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable under this Agreement
for Base Rate Loans.  Nothing in this subsection 2.1C shall be deemed to relieve
any  Lender  from its  obligation  to fulfill  its  Revolving  Loan  Commitments
hereunder or to prejudice any rights that Company may have against any Lender as
a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

         D.       THE REGISTER.

                  (i)  Administrative  Agent  shall  maintain,  at  its  address
         referred to in subsection  10.8, a register for the  recordation of the
         names and addresses of Lenders and the Revolving Loan  Commitments  and
         Revolving Loans of each Lender from time to time (the "REGISTER").  The
         Register  shall be available for inspection by Company or any Lender at
         any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (ii)  Administrative  Agent shall  record in the  Register the
         Revolving Loan  Commitment and the Revolving Loans from time to time of
         each  Lender  and  each  repayment  or  prepayment  in  respect  of the
         principal  amount  of the  Revolving  Loans  of each  Lender.  Any such
         recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Company and each Lender,
         absent  manifest  error;   provided  that  failure  to  make  any  such
         recordation,  or any error in such  recordation,  shall not  affect any
         Lender's Revolving Loan Commitments or Company's Obligations in respect
         of any applicable Revolving Loans.

                  (iii)  Each  Lender  shall  record  on  its  internal  records
         (including  the Notes held by such Lender) the amount of each Revolving
         Loan  made  by it  and  each  payment  in  respect  thereof.  Any  such
         recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Company, absent manifest
         error; provided that failure to make any such recordation, or any error
         in such  recordation,  shall not affect  any  Lender's  Revolving  Loan
         Commitments  or  Company's  Obligations  in respect  of any  applicable
         Revolving  Loans;  and  provided,  further  that  in the  event  of any
         inconsistency  between  the  Register  and any  Lender's  records,  the
         recordations in the Register shall govern.

                                       49
<PAGE>

                  (iv) Company,  Administrative Agent and Lenders shall deem and
         treat the Persons  listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and
         owners of the  corresponding  Revolving Loan  Commitments and Revolving
         Loans listed  therein for all purposes  hereof,  and no  assignment  or
         transfer of any such Revolving Loan  Commitment or Revolving Loan shall
         be  effective,  in each case unless and until an  Assignment  Agreement
         effecting the  assignment or transfer  thereof shall have been accepted
         by  Administrative  Agent and  recorded in the  Register as provided in
         subsection 10.1B(ii). Prior to such recordation,  all amounts owed with
         respect to the applicable  Revolving Loan  Commitment or Revolving Loan
         shall  be  owed to the  Lender  listed  in the  Register  as the  owner
         thereof,  and any  request,  authority or consent of any Person who, at
         the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is
         listed in the Register as a Lender shall be  conclusive  and binding on
         any  subsequent  holder,  assignee or transferee  of the  corresponding
         Revolving Loan Commitments or Revolving Loans.

                  (v)  Company  hereby  designates  Fleet to serve as  Company's
         agent  solely for purposes of  maintaining  the Register as provided in
         this  subsection  2.1D,  and Company  hereby agrees that, to the extent
         Fleet  serves  in such  capacity,  Fleet and its  officers,  directors,
         employees,  agents and affiliates shall constitute  Indemnitees for all
         purposes under subsection 10.3.

         E. NOTES.  Company has  executed  and  delivered on the Closing Date to
each  Lender  (or to  Administrative  Agent for that  Lender) a  Revolving  Note
substantially  in the form of Exhibit V annexed hereto to evidence that Lender's
Revolving  Loans,  in the  principal  amount  of that  Lender's  Revolving  Loan
Commitment and with other appropriate insertions.

2.2      INTEREST ON THE REVOLVING LOANS.

         A. RATE OF INTEREST.  Subject to the provisions of subsections  2.6 and
2.7,  each  Revolving  Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid  principal  amount
thereof  from the  date  made  through  maturity  (whether  by  acceleration  or
otherwise)  at a rate  determined  by reference to the Base Rate or the Adjusted
Eurodollar  Rate. The applicable basis for determining the rate of interest with
respect to any Revolving Loan shall be selected by Company initially at the time
a Notice of Borrowing is given with respect to such  Revolving  Loan pursuant to
subsection 2.1B. The basis for determining the interest rate with respect to any
Revolving Loan may be changed from time to time pursuant to subsection  2.2D. If
on any day a Revolving Loan is outstanding  with respect to which notice has not
been  delivered to  Administrative  Agent in  accordance  with the terms of this
Agreement  specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest,
then  for that day  that  Revolving  Loan  shall  bear  interest  determined  by
reference to the Base Rate.  Subject to the provisions of  subsections  2.2E and
2.7, the Revolving Loans shall bear interest through maturity as follows:

                                       50
<PAGE>

                  (i) if a Base Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Base Rate plus
         the Applicable Revolving Base Rate Margin then in effect; or

                  (ii)  if a  Eurodollar  Rate  Loan,  then  at  the  sum of the
         Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable  Revolving Eurodollar Rate
         Margin then in effect.

         B. INTEREST  PERIODS.  In connection  with each  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,
Company  may,  pursuant  to the  applicable  Notice  of  Borrowing  or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation,  as the case may be, select an interest period (each an
"INTEREST  PERIOD") to be  applicable to such  Revolving  Loan,  which  Interest
Period shall be, at Company's option,  either a one-, two-,  three-or  six-month
period; provided that:

                  (i) the initial  Interest  Period for any Eurodollar Rate Loan
         shall commence on the Funding Date in respect of such  Revolving  Loan,
         in the case of a Revolving  Loan  initially  made as a Eurodollar  Rate
         Loan,  or  on  the  date   specified  in  the   applicable   Notice  of
         Conversion/Continuation, in the case of a Revolving Loan converted to a
         Eurodollar Rate Loan;

                  (ii) in the case of immediately  successive  Interest  Periods
         applicable  to a Eurodollar  Rate Loan  continued as such pursuant to a
         Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  each  successive  Interest  Period
         shall commence on the day on which the next preceding  Interest  Period
         expires;

                  (iii) if an Interest  Period would  otherwise  expire on a day
         that is not a Business Day,  such  Interest  Period shall expire on the
         next  succeeding  Business Day;  provided that, if any Interest  Period
         would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day
         of the month after which no further  Business Day occurs in such month,
         such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

                  (iv) any Interest  Period that begins on the last Business Day
         of a  calendar  month  (or on a day for which  there is no  numerically
         corresponding  day in the  calendar  month at the end of such  Interest
         Period) shall,  subject to clause (v) of this  subsection  2.2B, end on
         the last Business Day of a calendar month;

                  (v) no  Interest  Period  with  respect to any  portion of the
         Revolving  Loans shall  extend  beyond the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment
         Termination Date;

                  (vi) there  shall be no more than seven (7)  Interest  Periods
         outstanding  at any time  under  this  Agreement  and the  AXEL  Credit
         Agreement; and

                  (vii) in the event Company fails to specify an Interest Period
         for any Eurodollar  Rate Loan in the applicable  Notice of Borrowing or
         Notice  of  Conversion/Continuation,  Company  shall be  deemed to have
         selected an Interest Period of one month.

                                       51
<PAGE>

         C. INTEREST  PAYMENTS.  Subject to the  provisions of subsection  2.2E,
interest  on each  Revolving  Loan  shall be  payable  in arrears on and to each
Interest  Payment Date applicable to that Revolving Loan, upon any prepayment of
that  Revolving  Loan (to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid) and at
maturity  (including final  maturity);  provided that in the event any Revolving
Loans that are Base Rate  Loans are  prepaid  pursuant  to  subsection  2.4A(i),
interest  accrued on such  Revolving  Loans through the date of such  prepayment
shall be payable on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date applicable to Base
Rate Loans (or, if earlier, at final maturity).

         D. CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION.  Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.6, Company shall have the option (i) to convert at any time all or any part of
its outstanding  Revolving  Loans equal to $1,000,000 and integral  multiples of
$100,000 in excess of that amount from Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar  Rate Loans
or (ii) to  convert  at any time all or any  part of its  outstanding  Revolving
Loans equal to $100,000  and  integral  multiples  of $100,000 in excess of that
amount from  Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans upon the expiration of any
Interest  Period  applicable  to a Eurodollar  Rate Loan, to continue all or any
portion of such  Revolving  Loan equal to $1,000,000  and integral  multiples of
$100,000 in excess of that amount as a Eurodollar Rate Loan; provided,  however,
that a Eurodollar  Rate Loan may only be converted  into a Base Rate Loan on the
expiration date of an Interest Period applicable thereto.

         Company   shall   deliver  a  Notice  of   Conversion/Continuation   to
Administrative  Agent no later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) at least one
Business  Day in  advance  of the  proposed  conversion  date  (in the case of a
conversion  to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three  Business Days in advance of
the proposed  conversion/continuation date (in the case of a conversion to, or a
continuation  of, a Eurodollar  Rate Loan). A Notice of  Conversion/Continuation
shall  specify (i) the proposed  conversion/continuation  date (which shall be a
Business Day),  (ii) the amount to be  converted/continued,  (iii) the nature of
the proposed conversion/continuation,  (iv) in the case of a conversion to, or a
continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the requested  Interest Period, and (v)
in the case of a conversion  to, or a continuation  of, a Eurodollar  Rate Loan,
that no  Potential  Event of  Default or Event of Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing.    In   lieu   of   delivering   the   above-described   Notice   of
Conversion/Continuation, Company may give Administrative Agent telephonic notice
by  the  required  time  of  any  proposed  conversion/continuation  under  this
subsection  2.2D;  provided  that such  notice  shall be promptly  confirmed  in
writing by delivery  of a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  to  Administrative
Agent on or before the proposed  conversion/continuation  date.  Upon receipt of
written or telephonic notice of any proposed  conversion/continuation under this
subsection  2.2D,  Administrative  Agent shall promptly  transmit such notice by
telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender.

         Neither  Administrative  Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to  Company  in  acting  upon any  telephonic  notice  referred  to  above  that
Administrative  Agent  believes  in good  faith  to have  been  given  by a duly
authorized officer or other person authorized to act on behalf of Company or for
otherwise  acting in good faith under this subsection  2.2D,


                                       52
<PAGE>

and upon conversion or continuation of the applicable  basis for determining the
interest  rate with  respect  to any  Revolving  Loans in  accordance  with this
Agreement  pursuant to any such telephonic  notice Company shall have effected a
conversion or continuation, as the case may be, hereunder.

         Except as  otherwise  provided in  subsections  2.6B,  2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  for  conversion  to, or  continuation  of, a
Eurodollar Rate Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable
on and after the related Interest Rate Determination  Date, and Company shall be
bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

         E. DEFAULT RATE. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any
Event of Default,  the outstanding  principal amount of all Revolving Loans and,
to the extent  permitted by applicable  law, any interest  payments  thereon not
paid when due and any fees and other  amounts  then due and  payable  hereunder,
shall  thereafter  bear  interest  (including   post-petition  interest  in  any
proceeding  under  the  Bankruptcy  Code or other  applicable  bankruptcy  laws)
payable  upon  demand at a rate  that is 2% per annum in excess of the  interest
rate  otherwise  payable  under this  Agreement  with respect to the  applicable
Revolving  Loans (or, in the case of any such fees and other amounts,  at a rate
which is 2% per annum in excess of the interest  rate  otherwise  payable  under
this  Agreement for Base Rate Loans);  provided  that, in the case of Eurodollar
Rate Loans, upon the expiration of the Interest Period in effect at the time any
such increase in interest  rate is effective  such  Eurodollar  Rate Loans shall
thereupon become Base Rate Loans and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon
demand at a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate  otherwise
payable under this  Agreement for Base Rate Loans.  Payment or acceptance of the
increased  rates  of  interest  provided  for in this  subsection  2.2E is not a
permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any
Event of Default or  otherwise  prejudice  or limit any  rights or  remedies  of
Administrative Agent or any Lender.

         F.  COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.  Interest on the Revolving  Loans shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day  year,  in each case for the actual number of
days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest on any
Revolving  Loan,  the date of the making of such Revolving Loan or the first day
of an Interest  Period  applicable to such  Revolving Loan or, with respect to a
Base  Rate  Loan  being  converted  from a  Eurodollar  Rate  Loan,  the date of
conversion of such  Eurodollar Rate Loan to such Base Rate Loan, as the case may
be, shall be  included,  and the date of payment of such  Revolving  Loan or the
expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Revolving Loan or, with
respect to a Base Rate Loan being  converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date
of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such  Eurodollar  Rate Loan, as the case
may be, shall be excluded;  provided  that if a Revolving  Loan is repaid on the
same day on which it is made, one day's interest shall be paid on that Revolving
Loan.

                                       53
<PAGE>

2.3      FEES.

         A. COMMITMENT FEES. Company agrees to pay to Administrative  Agent, for
distribution  to each  Lender in  proportion  to that  Lender's  Pro Rata Share,
commitment  fees for the  period  from and  including  the  Closing  Date to and
excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date equal to the average of
the  daily  excess of the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  over the sum of (i) the
aggregate  principal amount of outstanding  Revolving Loans plus (ii) the Letter
of Credit Usage  multiplied by the Applicable  Commitment  Fee  Percentage  such
commitment  fees to be  calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual
number of days elapsed and to be payable  quarterly in arrears on March 15, June
15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on the first such date
to  occur  after  the  Closing  Date,  and  on  the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment
Termination Date.

         B. OTHER FEES.  Company  agrees to pay to Arranger  and  Administrative
Agent  (including  fees  payable to  Administrative  Agent for  distribution  to
Existing  Lenders)  such other fees in the amounts  and at the times  separately
agreed upon between Company, Arranger and Administrative Agent.

2.4      PREPAYMENTS  AND  REDUCTIONS  IN REVOLVING  LOAN  COMMITMENTS;  GENERAL
         PROVISIONS  REGARDING  PAYMENTS;  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL
         AND PAYMENTS UNDER SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY.

         A.PREPAYMENTS AND UNSCHEDULED REDUCTIONS IN REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS.

                  (i) Voluntary Prepayments. Company may, upon not less than one
         Business Day's prior written or telephonic  notice, in the case of Base
         Rate  Loans,  and three  Business  Days'  prior  written or  telephonic
         notice,  in the case of  Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  in each case given to
         Administrative  Agent by 12:00  Noon (New  York City  time) on the date
         required and, if given by telephone,  promptly  confirmed in writing to
         Administrative  Agent  (which  original  written or  telephonic  notice
         Administrative   Agent  will  promptly  transmit  by  telefacsimile  or
         telephone to each Lender), at any time and from time to time prepay any
         Revolving Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate
         minimum  amount of  $1,000,000  and  integral  multiples of $500,000 in
         excess  of that  amount.  Notice of  prepayment  having  been  given as
         aforesaid,  the principal  amount of the Revolving  Loans  specified in
         such  notice  shall  become  due and  payable  on the  prepayment  date
         specified  therein.  Any such voluntary  prepayment shall be applied as
         specified in subsection 2.4A(iv).

                  (ii)  Voluntary  Reductions  of  Revolving  Loan  Commitments.
         Company may, upon not less than three  Business  Days' prior written or
         telephonic notice confirmed in writing to  Administrative  Agent (which
         original  written  or  telephonic  notice   Administrative  Agent  will
         promptly transmit by telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender), at any
         time and from time to time terminate in whole or permanently  


                                       54
<PAGE>

         reduce  in  part,  without  premium  or  penalty,  the  Revolving  Loan
         Commitments  in an amount up to the amount by which the Revolving  Loan
         Commitments  exceed the Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments
         at the time of such proposed  termination  or reduction;  provided that
         any such partial  reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitments  shall be
         in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral  multiples of
         $500,000 in excess of that amount.  Company's notice to  Administrative
         Agent shall  designate the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such
         termination or reduction and the amount of any partial  reduction,  and
         such termination or reduction of the Revolving Loan  Commitments  shall
         be effective on the date specified in Company's notice and shall reduce
         the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Lender proportionately to its Pro
         Rata  Share.  Any  such  voluntary  reduction  of  the  Revolving  Loan
         Commitments shall be applied as specified in subsection 2.4A(iv).

                  (iii)  Mandatory   Prepayments  and  Mandatory  Reductions  of
         Revolving Loan  Commitments.  The AXELs under the AXEL Credit Agreement
         and the  Revolving  Loans shall be prepaid  and/or the  Revolving  Loan
         Commitments  shall be permanently  reduced in the amounts and under the
         circumstances  set forth below, all such prepayments  and/or reductions
         to be applied as set forth  below or as more  specifically  provided in
         subsection 2.4A(iv):

                           (a)  Prepayments  and  Reductions  From  Unreinvested
                  Asset  Sale  Proceeds.  No later than the first  Business  Day
                  following the date on which any Net Asset Sale Proceeds become
                  Unreinvested  Asset Sale  Proceeds,  Company  shall prepay the
                  AXELs under the AXEL Credit  Agreement and the Revolving Loans
                  and/or the Revolving  Loan  Commitments  shall be  permanently
                  reduced  in an  aggregate  amount  equal to such  Unreinvested
                  Asset Sale Proceeds;  provided,  further that, with respect to
                  an Asset Sale of any asset owned by a Foreign Subsidiary,  the
                  Unreinvested  Asset Sale Proceeds in respect  thereof shall be
                  applied (i) first, to the extent such  Unreinvested  Net Asset
                  Sale Proceeds may be  repatriated to the United States without
                  in the  reasonable  judgment  of the  Company  resulting  in a
                  material tax liability to Company in relation to the amount of
                  proceeds to be repatriated, to prepay the AXELs under the AXEL
                  Credit  Agreement and the Revolving  Loans and/or  permanently
                  reduce the Revolving  Loan  Commitments  as set forth above in
                  this subsection  2.4A(iii)(a),  (ii) second,  to the extent of
                  any  remaining  portion  of  such   Unreinvested   Asset  Sale
                  Proceeds,  to finance the general  corporate  purposes of such
                  Foreign  Subsidiary  so  long  as the  aggregate  of all  such
                  amounts so applied by all Foreign Subsidiaries with respect to
                  Asset Sales consummated after the Closing Date does not exceed
                  $5,000,000,  and (iii) third,  to the extent of any  remaining
                  portion of such  Unreinvested  Asset Sale Proceeds,  to prepay
                  the AXELs under the AXEL Credit  Agreement  and the  Revolving
                  Loans and/or  reduce the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  as set
                  forth above in this subsection 2.4A(iii)(a).


                                       55
<PAGE>

                  Concurrently  with  any  determination  by  Company  that  any
                  portion of any Unreinvested Asset Sale Proceeds of any Foreign
                  Subsidiary  will be applied as described in clause (ii) of the
                  immediately preceding proviso,  Company shall deliver to Agent
                  an Officers' Certificate (w) certifying that such Unreinvested
                  Asset Sale Proceeds cannot be repatriated to the United States
                  without  resulting in a material tax  liability to Company and
                  the   reasons   therefor,   (y)   specifying   the  amount  of
                  Unreinvested  Asset  Sale  Proceeds  to be  retained  by  such
                  Foreign  Subsidiary  as  described in said clause (ii) and the
                  cumulative  aggregate  amount of all such  Unreinvested  Asset
                  Sale  Proceeds so retained by all Foreign  Subsidiaries  since
                  the  date  of  this  Agreement  and  (z)   demonstrating   the
                  derivation  of the  Unreinvested  Asset Sale  Proceeds  of the
                  correlative Asset Sale from the gross sales price thereof.

                           (b)    Prepayments    and    Reductions    from   Net
                  Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds.  No  later  than  the  first
                  Business Day following  the date of receipt by  Administrative
                  Agent  or by  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  of any Net
                  Insurance/Condemnation   Proceeds  that  are  required  to  be
                  applied to prepay the AXELs  under the AXEL  Credit  Agreement
                  and the  Revolving  Loans  and/or  reduce the  Revolving  Loan
                  Commitments  pursuant to the provisions of subsection  6.4C or
                  the  Intercreditor  Agreement,  Company shall prepay the AXELs
                  under the AXEL Credit Agreement and the Revolving Loans and/or
                  the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced in
                  an   aggregate   amount  equal  to  the  amount  of  such  Net
                  Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds.

                           (c)  Prepayments  and  Reductions  Due to Issuance of
                  Debt or Equity  Securities.  On the date of receipt by Company
                  or any of its  Subsidiaries  of the Cash  proceeds  (any  such
                  proceeds,  net of  underwriting  discounts and commissions and
                  other  reasonable  costs and  expenses  associated  therewith,
                  including  reasonable  legal  fees and  expenses,  being  "NET
                  SECURITIES  PROCEEDS")  from the  issuance  of any debt (other
                  than debt  permitted by Section 7.1) or equity  Securities  of
                  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  to any Person  other than
                  Company or any of its Subsidiaries  (and excluding any private
                  issuances  of Company  Common  Stock after the Closing Date to
                  the extent  such  funds  would not be  required  to prepay any
                  other Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries)  after
                  the Closing  Date,  Company  shall  prepay the AXELs under the
                  AXEL  Credit  Agreement  and the  Revolving  Loans  and/or the
                  Revolving Loan Commitments shall be permanently  reduced in an
                  aggregate amount equal to such Net Securities Proceeds.

                           (d)  Prepayments  and  Reductions  from  Consolidated
                  Excess   Cash  Flow.   In  the  event  that  there   shall  be
                  Consolidated  Excess Cash Flow for any Fiscal Year (commencing
                  with Fiscal Year 1998),  Company shall,  no later than 90 days
                  after the end of such Fiscal Year,  prepay the AXELs under the

                                       56
<PAGE>

                  AXEL  Credit  Agreement  and the  Revolving  Loans  and/or the
                  Revolving Loan Commitments shall be permanently  reduced in an
                  aggregate amount equal to 75% of such Consolidated Excess Cash
                  Flow;   provided  that  for  any  Fiscal  Year  in  which  the
                  Consolidated  Leverage  Ratio as of the end of any such Fiscal
                  Year is less than  3.75:1,  such  percentage  of  Consolidated
                  Excess  Cash Flow  applied to prepay the AXELs  under the AXEL
                  Credit Agreement or reduce Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
                  reduced to 50%.

                           (e) Calculations of Net Proceeds Amounts;  Additional
                  Prepayments and Reductions  Based on Subsequent  Calculations.
                  Concurrently  with any  prepayment of the AXELs under the AXEL
                  Credit  Agreement and the Revolving Loans and/or  reduction of
                  the  Revolving  Loan   Commitments   pursuant  to  subsections
                  2.4A(iii)(a)-(d),  Company  shall  deliver  to  Administrative
                  Agent an Officers'  Certificate  demonstrating the calculation
                  of the amount (the "NET  PROCEEDS  AMOUNT") of the  applicable
                  Unreinvested Asset Sale Proceeds or Net Insurance/Condemnation
                  Proceeds, the applicable Net Securities Proceeds (as such term
                  is  defined  in  subsection  2.4A(iii)(c))  or the  applicable
                  Consolidated  Excess Cash Flow,  as the case may be, that gave
                  rise to such prepayment  and/or  reduction.  In the event that
                  Company  shall  subsequently  determine  that the  actual  Net
                  Proceeds  Amount was greater than the amount set forth in such
                  Officers'   Certificate,   Company  shall   promptly  make  an
                  additional  prepayment  of the  AXELs  under  the AXEL  Credit
                  Agreement and the Revolving Loans (and/or, if applicable,  the
                  Revolving Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced) in an
                  amount equal to the amount of such excess,  and Company  shall
                  concurrently  therewith  deliver  to  Administrative  Agent an
                  Officers'  Certificate  demonstrating  the  derivation  of the
                  additional Net Proceeds Amount resulting in such excess.

                           (f)  Prepayments Due to Reductions or Restrictions of
                  Revolving Loan  Commitments or Due to  Insufficient  Borrowing
                  Base.  Company  shall from time to time  prepay the  Revolving
                  Loans  to  the  extent   necessary   to  give  effect  to  the
                  limitations  set forth in  clauses  (i) and (ii) of the second
                  paragraph of subsection 2.1A.


                  (iv)     Application of Prepayments.

                           (a)  Application of Voluntary  Prepayments by Type of
                  Loans  and  Order  of  Maturity.   Any  voluntary  prepayments
                  pursuant to  subsection  2.4A(i) shall be applied as specified
                  by Company in the applicable notice of prepayment.

                           (b)  Application of Mandatory  Prepayments by Type of
                  Loans.  Any  amount  (the  "APPLIED  AMOUNT")  required  to be
                  applied as a mandatory  


                                       57
<PAGE>

                  prepayment of the AXELs under the AXEL Credit Agreement or the
                  Revolving  Loans  and/or a  reduction  of the  Revolving  Loan
                  Commitments pursuant to subsections  2.4A(iii)(a)-(e) shall be
                  applied  first to  prepay  the  AXELs  under  the AXEL  Credit
                  Agreement to the full extent thereof, second, to the extent of
                  any  remaining  portion of the Applied  Amount,  to prepay the
                  Revolving  Loans to the full  extent  thereof  and to  further
                  permanently  reduce  the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  by the
                  amount of such  prepayment,  and  third,  to the extent of any
                  remaining   portion  of  the   Applied   Amount,   to  further
                  permanently  reduce the Revolving Loan Commitments to the full
                  extent thereof and to cash collateralize any Letters of Credit
                  outstanding  (with  any such  amounts  held in the  Collateral
                  Accounts  pursuant  to  the  Intercreditor   Agreement).   Any
                  prepayments   of  the   Revolving   Loans   under   subsection
                  2.4A(iii)(f) shall be applied to reduce the Revolving Loans.

                           (c) Application of Prepayments to Base Rate Loans and
                  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans.  Considering  Revolving  Loans  being
                  prepaid, any prepayment thereof shall be applied first to Base
                  Rate Loans,  to the full extent thereof before  application to
                  Eurodollar  Rate Loans, in a manner which minimizes the amount
                  of any  payments  required  to be made by Company  pursuant to
                  subsection 2.6D.

         B.       GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING PAYMENTS.

                  (i) Manner and Time of  Payment.  All  payments  by Company of
         principal, interest, fees and other Obligations hereunder and under the
         Revolving  Notes  shall be made in Dollars  in same day funds,  without
         defense, setoff or counterclaim,  free of any restriction or condition,
         and  delivered to  Administrative  Agent not later than 12:00 Noon (New
         York City time) on the date due at the Funding  and Payment  Office for
         the account of Lenders;  funds received by  Administrative  Agent after
         that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by Company
         on  the  next  succeeding   Business  Day.  Company  hereby  authorizes
         Administrative  Agent to charge its accounts with Administrative  Agent
         in order to cause timely payment to be made to Administrative  Agent of
         all principal,  interest,  fees and expenses due hereunder  (subject to
         sufficient funds being available in its accounts for that purpose).

                  (ii) Application of Payments to Principal and Interest. Except
         as  provided  in  subsection  2.2C,  all  payments  in  respect  of the
         principal amount of any Revolving Loan shall include payment of accrued
         interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid,  and all such
         payments  (and, in any event,  any payments in respect of any Revolving
         Loan on a date when  interest is due and payable  with  respect to such
         Loan) shall be applied to the payment of interest before application to
         principal.

                                       58
<PAGE>

                  (iii)  Apportionment  of  Payments.  Aggregate  principal  and
         interest payments shall be apportioned among all outstanding  Revolving
         Loans to which such payments relate,  in each case  proportionately  to
         Lenders'  respective  Pro  Rata  Shares.   Administrative  Agent  shall
         promptly  distribute to each Lender,  at its primary  address set forth
         below  its name on the  appropriate  signature  page  hereof or at such
         other  address as such  Lender may  request,  its Pro Rata Share of all
         such payments received by Administrative  Agent and the commitment fees
         of such  Lender  when  received  by  Administrative  Agent  pursuant to
         subsection  2.3.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  provisions  of  this
         subsection  2.4C(iii),  if,  pursuant to the  provisions  of subsection
         2.6B,  any Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  is  withdrawn  as to any
         Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu
         of its Pro Rata  Share of any  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans,  Administrative
         Agent  shall give  effect  thereto in  apportioning  payments  received
         thereafter.

                  (iv)  Payments on Business  Days.  Whenever  any payment to be
         made  hereunder  shall  be  stated  to be  due on a day  that  is not a
         Business  Day,  such  payment  shall  be  made on the  next  succeeding
         Business  Day and  such  extension  of time  shall be  included  in the
         computation  of the payment of interest  hereunder or of the commitment
         fees hereunder, as the case may be.

                  (v)  Notation  of  Payment.  Each  Lender  agrees  that before
         disposing  of any Note held by it, or any part  thereof  (other than by
         granting  participations  therein),  that  Lender  will make a notation
         thereon of all Revolving Loans evidenced by that Revolving Note and all
         principal  payments  previously  made  thereon and of the date to which
         interest  thereon has been paid;  provided that the failure to make (or
         any error in the making of) a notation of any Revolving Loan made under
         such Revolving Note shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations
         of Company  hereunder or under such  Revolving Note with respect to any
         Revolving  Loan  or any  payments  of  principal  or  interest  on such
         Revolving Note.

2.5      USE OF PROCEEDS.

         A. REVOLVING  LOANS.  The proceeds of Revolving Loans made on and after
the Restatement Effective Date are to be applied for working capital and general
corporate  purposes,  which may  include  the  Anagram  Acquisition  and  future
Permitted Business Acquisitions (provided that (i) no more than $23,500,000 plus
the excess, if any, of $15,000,000 over the amount of cash on hand at Company on
the  Restatement  Effective Date may be borrowed in connection  with the Anagram
Acquisition  and (ii) after giving effect to any  borrowings to fund any portion
of a Permitted Business  Acquisition,  the sum of (1) unrestricted Cash and Cash
Equivalents on the balance sheet of Company plus (2) the difference  between the
Revolving Loan  Commitments and the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of
Revolving Loans is equal to at least $10,000,000) and the making of intercompany
loans  to  any  of  Company's  wholly-owned  Subsidiaries,  in  accordance  with
subsection  7.1(iv),  for  their  own  working  capital  and  general  corporate
purposes.

                                       59
<PAGE>

         B. MARGIN  REGULATIONS.  No portion of the  proceeds  of any  borrowing
under this Agreement shall be used by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries in any
manner that might cause the  borrowing or the  application  of such  proceeds to
violate Regulation G, Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board or
to violate the  Exchange  Act, in each case as in effect on the date or dates of
such borrowing and such use of proceeds.

2.6      SPECIAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS.

         Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the following  provisions  shall govern with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans as
to the matters covered:

         A.  DETERMINATION  OF APPLICABLE  INTEREST RATE. As soon as practicable
after 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination  Date,
Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest
error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that
shall  apply to the  Eurodollar  Rate Loans for which an  interest  rate is then
being  determined  for the  applicable  Interest  Period and shall promptly give
notice thereof (in writing or by telephone  confirmed in writing) to Company and
each Lender.

         B. INABILITY TO DETERMINE  APPLICABLE  INTEREST RATE. In the event that
Administrative  Agent shall have determined (which  determination shall be final
and  conclusive  and binding  upon all parties  hereto),  on any  Interest  Rate
Determination  Date with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, that by reason of
circumstances  affecting the  Eurodollar  market  adequate and fair means do not
exist for  ascertaining  the interest rate  applicable to such  Eurodollar  Rate
Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate,
Administrative  Agent  shall on such date give  notice (by  telefacsimile  or by
telephone   confirmed   in   writing)   to  Company  and  each  Lender  of  such
determination, whereupon (i) no Revolving Loans may be made as, or converted to,
Eurodollar Rate Loans until such time as  Administrative  Agent notifies Company
and Lenders  that the  circumstances  giving rise to such notice no longer exist
and (ii) any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  given by
Company  with  respect  to  the  Revolving   Loans  in  respect  of  which  such
determination was made shall be deemed to be rescinded by Company.

         C.  ILLEGALITY OR  IMPRACTICABILITY  OF EURODOLLAR  RATE LOANS.  In the
event that on any date any Lender  shall have  determined  (which  determination
shall be final and  conclusive  and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be
made only after  consultation  with Company and  Administrative  Agent) that the
making,  maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Rate Loans (i) has become
unlawful  as a result of  compliance  by such Lender in good faith with any law,
treaty,  governmental  rule,  regulation,  guideline or order (or would conflict
with any such  treaty,  governmental  rule,  regulation,  guideline or order not
having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be
unlawful) or (ii) has become impracticable,  or would cause such Lender material
hardship,  as a  result  of  contingencies  occurring  after  the  date  of this
Agreement  which  materially and adversely  


                                       60
<PAGE>

affect the  Eurodollar  market or the  position of such  Lender in that  market,
then,  and in any such event,  such Lender shall be an "AFFECTED  LENDER" and it
shall on that day give notice (by  telefacsimile  or by  telephone  confirmed in
writing) to Company and Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice
Administrative  Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender).  Thereafter
(a) the  obligation  of the Affected  Lender to make  Revolving  Loans as, or to
convert  Revolving Loans to, Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such
notice  shall be  withdrawn  by the  Affected  Lender,  (b) to the  extent  such
determination  by the Affected  Lender  relates to a  Eurodollar  Rate Loan then
being  requested  by Company  pursuant to a Notice of  Borrowing  or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation,  the Affected  Lender shall make such Revolving Loan as
(or convert such  Revolving  Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan,  (c)
the Affected  Lender's  obligation to maintain its  outstanding  Eurodollar Rate
Loans (the "AFFECTED  LOANS") shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the
expiration  of the  Interest  Period then in effect with respect to the Affected
Loans or when  required by law, and (d) the Affected  Loans shall  automatically
convert  into Base Rate Loans on the date of such  termination.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described
above relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan then being requested by Company pursuant
to a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  Company shall
have the option,  subject to the provisions of subsection  2.6D, to rescind such
Notice of  Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  as to all Lenders by
giving  notice (by  telefacsimile  or by  telephone  confirmed  in  writing)  to
Administrative Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender
gives notice of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission
Administrative  Agent shall promptly  transmit to each other Lender).  Except as
provided in the immediately preceding sentence,  nothing in this subsection 2.6C
shall affect the obligation of any Lender other than an Affected  Lender to make
or maintain  Revolving Loans as, or to convert  Revolving  Loans to,  Eurodollar
Rate Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         D. COMPENSATION FOR BREAKAGE OR  NON-COMMENCEMENT  OF INTEREST PERIODS.
Company shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by that Lender (which
request  shall  set  forth  the basis  for  requesting  such  amounts),  for all
reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid by that
Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its  Eurodollar  Rate
Loans and any loss, expense or liability  sustained by that Lender in connection
with the  liquidation  or  re-employment  of such  funds)  which that Lender may
sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by that Lender) a borrowing
of any  Eurodollar  Rate Loan does not occur on a date  specified  therefor in a
Notice of Borrowing or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or
continuation  of any  Eurodollar  Rate Loan  does not occur on a date  specified
therefor  in a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  or a  telephonic  request for
conversion or  continuation,  (ii) if any  prepayment  (including any prepayment
pursuant to subsection  2.4A(i)) or other principal payment or any conversion of
any of its  Eurodollar  Rate Loans  occurs on a date prior to the last day of an
Interest Period applicable to that Eurodollar Rate Loan, (iii) if any prepayment
of any of its  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans is not made on any  date  specified  in a
notice of prepayment  given by Company,  or (iv) as a  consequence  of any other
default by 


                                       61
<PAGE>

Company in the repayment of its Eurodollar Rate Loans when required by the terms
of this Agreement.

         E.  BOOKING OF  EURODOLLAR  RATE LOANS.  Any Lender may make,  carry or
transfer  Eurodollar  Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch
offices or the office of an Affiliate of that Lender.

         F. ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING FUNDING OF EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. Calculation
of all  amounts  payable  to a  Lender  under  this  subsection  2.6  and  under
subsection  2.7A shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded each of
its relevant  Eurodollar Rate Loans through the purchase of a Eurodollar deposit
bearing  interest at the rate obtained  pursuant to clause (i) of the definition
of Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such Eurodollar
Rate Loan and having a maturity  comparable to the relevant  Interest Period and
through the transfer of such Eurodollar  deposit from an offshore office of that
Lender to a  domestic  office of that  Lender in the United  States of  America;
provided,  however,  that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Rate Loans
in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing  assumptions  shall be utilized only
for the purposes of calculating  amounts  payable under this  subsection 2.6 and
under subsection 2.7A.

         G.  EURODOLLAR  RATE LOANS AFTER  DEFAULT.  After the occurrence of and
during the  continuation of a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default,
(i) Company may not elect to have a Revolving  Loan be made or maintained as, or
converted to, a Eurodollar Rate Loan after the expiration of any Interest Period
then in effect for that  Revolving  Loan and (ii) subject to the  provisions  of
subsection  2.6D,  any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion/Continuation
given   by   Company    with    respect   to   a    requested    borrowing    or
conversion/continuation  that  has  not  yet  occurred  shall  be  deemed  to be
rescinded by Company.

2.7      INCREASED COSTS; TAXES; CAPITAL ADEQUACY.

         A.  COMPENSATION  FOR  INCREASED  COSTS  AND  TAXES.   Subject  to  the
provisions of subsection  2.7B (which shall be  controlling  with respect to the
matters  covered  thereby and to the extent a Lender is not  entitled to payment
under the  terms of  Section  2.7B,  it shall not be  entitled  to such  payment
pursuant to this subsection  2.7A), in the event that any Lender shall determine
(which  determination  shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and
binding upon all parties  hereto)  that any law,  treaty or  governmental  rule,
regulation  or  order,   or  any  change  therein  or  in  the   interpretation,
administration  or application  thereof  (including the  introduction of any new
law, treaty or governmental rule,  regulation or order), or any determination of
a court or governmental authority, in each case that becomes effective after the
Closing  Date,  or  compliance  by such  Lender with any  guideline,  request or
directive  issued or made after the Closing  Date by any  central  bank or other
governmental or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of
law):

                                       62
<PAGE>

                  (i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to
         any  additional  Tax (other  than any Tax on the  overall net income of
         such Lender) with respect to this  Agreement or any of its  obligations
         hereunder  or any  payments to such Lender (or its  applicable  lending
         office)  of  principal,  interest,  fees or any  other  amount  payable
         hereunder;

                  (ii)  imposes,   modifies  or  holds  applicable  any  reserve
         (including  any  marginal,  emergency,  supplemental,  special or other
         reserve),  special deposit,  compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar
         requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in
         or for the  account  of,  or  advances  or loans  by,  or other  credit
         extended by, or any other  acquisition  of funds by, any office of such
         Lender (other than any such reserve or other  requirements with respect
         to  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans that are  reflected  in the  definition  of
         Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or

                  (iii) imposes any other condition  (other than with respect to
         a Tax matter) on or affecting  such Lender (or its  applicable  lending
         office) or its obligations hereunder or the Eurodollar market;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
agreeing to make,  making or maintaining  Revolving Loans hereunder or to reduce
any amount  received or  receivable  by such Lender (or its  applicable  lending
office)  with  respect  thereto  by an  amount  considered  by the  Lender to be
material;  then, in any such case,  Company  shall  promptly pay to such Lender,
upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence,  such additional
amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of
calculating,  interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion  shall
determine) as may be necessary to compensate  such Lender for any such increased
cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such Lender shall
deliver to Company (with a copy to  Administrative  Agent) a written  statement,
setting  forth in reasonable  detail the basis for  calculating  the  additional
amounts owed to such Lender under this subsection 2.7A, which statement shall be
conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

         B.       WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.

                  (i) Payments to Be Free and Clear. All sums payable by Company
         under this  Agreement  and the other  Revolving  Loan  Documents  shall
         (except to the extent  required  by law) be paid free and clear of, and
         without any deduction or withholding on account of, any Tax (other than
         a Tax  on the  overall  net  income  of any  Lender)  imposed,  levied,
         collected,  withheld  or  assessed  by or within the  United  States of
         America or any  political  subdivision  in or of the  United  States of
         America or any other jurisdiction from or to which a payment is made by
         or on behalf of Company or by any federation or  organization  of which
         the United  States of America or any such  jurisdiction  is a member at
         the time of payment.

                                       63
<PAGE>

                  (ii)  Grossing-up of Payments.  If Company or any other Person
         is required by law to make any deduction or  withholding  on account of
         any such Tax from any sum paid or payable by Company to  Administrative
         Agent or any Lender under any of the Revolving Loan Documents:

                           (a) Company shall notify  Administrative Agent of any
                  such requirement or any change in any such requirement as soon
                  as Company becomes aware of it;

                           (b) Company shall pay any such Tax before the date on
                  which penalties  attach  thereto,  such payment to be made (if
                  the  liability  to pay is  imposed  on  Company)  for  its own
                  account or (if that  liability  is  imposed on  Administrative
                  Agent or such Lender,  as the case may be) on behalf of and in
                  the name of Administrative Agent or such Lender;

                           (c) the sum  payable  by  Company in respect of which
                  the  relevant  deduction,  withholding  or payment is required
                  shall be  increased  to the extent  necessary  to ensure that,
                  after the making of that  deduction,  withholding  or payment,
                  Administrative  Agent  or such  Lender,  as the  case  may be,
                  receives on the due date a net sum equal to what it would have
                  received had no such  deduction,  withholding  or payment been
                  required or made; and

                           (d) within 30 days after paying any sum from which it
                  is required by law to make any deduction or  withholding,  and
                  within 30 days  after the due date of payment of any Tax which
                  it is  required  by  clause  (b) above to pay,  Company  shall
                  deliver to Administrative  Agent evidence  satisfactory to the
                  other  affected  parties  of such  deduction,  withholding  or
                  payment and of the remittance  thereof to the relevant  taxing
                  or other authority;

         provided that no such additional amount shall be required to be paid to
         any Lender  under clause (c) above except to the extent that any change
         after the Closing Date (in the case of each Existing Lender), after the
         Restatement  Effective  Date (in the case of each New  Lender) or after
         the date of the  Assignment  Agreement  pursuant  to which such  Lender
         became  a  Lender  (in the  case  of each  other  Lender)  in any  such
         requirement  for a  deduction,  withholding  or payment as is mentioned
         therein  shall  result in an  increase  in the rate of such  deduction,
         withholding  or payment from that in effect on the Closing Date, at the
         date of this Agreement or at the date of such Assignment Agreement,  as
         the case may be, in respect of payments to such Lender.

                  (iii) Evidence of Exemption from U.S. Withholding Tax.

                           (a) Each Lender that is  organized  under the laws of
                  any jurisdiction  other than the United States or any state or
                  other  political  subdivision  thereof  


                                       64
<PAGE>

                  (for purposes of this subsection 2.7B(iii), a "NON-US LENDER")
                  shall  deliver to  Administrative  Agent for  transmission  to
                  Company,  on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each
                  Existing  Lender),  on or prior to the  Restatement  Effective
                  Date (in the case of each New  Lender),  or on or prior to the
                  date of the Assignment  Agreement pursuant to which it becomes
                  a Lender (in the case of each other Lender), and at such other
                  times as may be necessary in the  determination  of Company or
                  Administrative  Agent (each in the reasonable  exercise of its
                  discretion),  (1) two  original  copies  of  Internal  Revenue
                  Service Form 1001 or 4224 (or any successor  forms),  properly
                  completed and duly executed by such Lender,  together with any
                  other certificate or statement of exemption required under the
                  Internal Revenue Code or the regulations  issued thereunder to
                  establish  that such  Lender is not  subject to  deduction  or
                  withholding  of United States  federal income tax with respect
                  to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees or
                  other  amounts   payable  under  any  of  the  Revolving  Loan
                  Documents  or (2) if such  Lender  is not a  "bank"  or  other
                  Person described in Section  881(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
                  Code and cannot deliver either  Internal  Revenue Service Form
                  1001 or 4224 pursuant to clause (1) above,  a  Certificate  re
                  Non-Bank  Status together with two original copies of Internal
                  Revenue  Service Form W-8 (or any  successor  form),  properly
                  completed and duly executed by such Lender,  together with any
                  other certificate or statement of exemption required under the
                  Internal Revenue Code or the regulations  issued thereunder to
                  establish  that such  Lender is not  subject to  deduction  or
                  withholding  of United States  federal income tax with respect
                  to any payments to such Lender of interest  payable  under any
                  of the Revolving Loan Documents.

                           (b)  Each  Lender  required  to  deliver  any  forms,
                  certificates  or other  evidence with respect to United States
                  federal income tax withholding  matters pursuant to subsection
                  2.7B(iii)(a)  hereby  agrees,  from  time  to time  after  the
                  initial delivery by such Lender of such forms, certificates or
                  other  evidence,  whenever  a  lapse  in  time  or  change  in
                  circumstances  renders  such  forms,   certificates  or  other
                  evidence obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect,  that
                  such Lender shall promptly (1) deliver to Administrative Agent
                  for  transmission  to  Company  two  new  original  copies  of
                  Internal  Revenue  Service Form 1001 or 4224, or a Certificate
                  re Non-Bank Status and two original copies of Internal Revenue
                  Service Form W-8, as the case may be,  properly  completed and
                  duly  executed  by  such  Lender,   together  with  any  other
                  certificate  or statement  of  exemption  required in order to
                  confirm  or  establish  that  such  Lender is not  subject  to
                  deduction or  withholding  of United States federal income tax
                  with  respect to payments to such Lender  under the  Revolving
                  Loan Documents or (2) notify  Administrative Agent and Company
                  of its  inability to deliver any such forms,  certificates  or
                  other evidence.

                                       65
<PAGE>

                           (c)  Company   shall  not  be  required  to  pay  any
                  additional  amount to any Non-US  Lender  under  clause (c) of
                  subsection  2.7B(ii)  if such  Lender  shall  have  failed  to
                  satisfy  the  requirements  of  clause  (a) or  (b)(1) of this
                  subsection 2.7B(iii);  provided that if such Lender shall have
                  satisfied the  requirements of subsection  2.7B(iii)(a) on the
                  Closing  Date (in the case of each  Existing  Lender),  on the
                  Restatement Effective Date (in the case of each New Lender) or
                  on the date of the Assignment  Agreement  pursuant to which it
                  became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender), nothing in
                  this  subsection  2.7B(iii)(c)  shall  relieve  Company of its
                  obligation to pay any  additional  amounts  pursuant to clause
                  (c) of  subsection  2.7B(ii) in the event that, as a result of
                  any change in any applicable law, treaty or governmental rule,
                  regulation  or order,  or any  change  in the  interpretation,
                  administration  or  application  thereof,  such  Lender  is no
                  longer  properly  entitled to deliver forms,  certificates  or
                  other evidence at a subsequent date establishing the fact that
                  such  Lender is not subject to  withholding  as  described  in
                  subsection 2.7B(iii)(a).

         C. CAPITAL  ADEQUACY  ADJUSTMENT.  If any Lender shall have  determined
that the adoption,  effectiveness,  phase-in or applicability  after the Closing
Date (in the case of an Existing  Lender) or the Restatement  Effective Date (in
the case of each New Lender) of any law,  rule or  regulation  (or any provision
thereof)   regarding  capital  adequacy,   or  any  change  therein  or  in  the
interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,  central
bank or comparable  agency  charged with the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its applicable lending office) with any
guideline,  request or  directive  regarding  capital  adequacy  (whether or not
having the force of law) of any such  governmental  authority,  central  bank or
comparable  agency,  has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return
on the capital of such Lender or any  corporation  controlling  such Lender as a
consequence of, or with reference to, such Lender's Revolving Loans or Revolving
Loan  Commitments  or  Letters  of Credit  or  participations  therein  or other
obligations  hereunder  with  respect to the  Revolving  Loans or the Letters of
Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such  controlling  corporation
could  have   achieved   but  for  such   adoption,   effectiveness,   phase-in,
applicability,  change or compliance  (taking into consideration the policies of
such Lender or such controlling  corporation with regard to capital adequacy) by
an  amount  considered  by the  Lender to be  material,  then from time to time,
within  five  Business  Days after  receipt by Company  from such  Lender of the
statement  referred to in the next  sentence,  Company  shall pay to such Lender
such  additional  amount  or  amounts  as will  compensate  such  Lender or such
controlling  corporation on an after-tax basis for such  reduction.  Such Lender
shall  deliver  to  Company  (with a copy to  Administrative  Agent)  a  written
statement,  setting forth in reasonable  detail the basis of the  calculation of
such  additional  amounts,  which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon
all parties hereto absent manifest error.

                                       66
<PAGE>

2.8      OBLIGATION OF LENDERS AND ISSUING LENDERS TO MITIGATE.

         Each Lender and Issuing  Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable
after the officer of such Lender or Issuing Lender responsible for administering
the Revolving  Loans or Letters of Credit of such Lender or Issuing  Lender,  as
the case may be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of
a condition  that would  cause such Lender to become an Affected  Lender or that
would entitle such Lender or Issuing Lender to receive payments under subsection
2.7 or subsection 3.6, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal
policies of such Lender or Issuing Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory
restrictions,  use reasonable  efforts (i) to make,  issue, fund or maintain the
Revolving  Loan  Commitments of such Lender or the affected  Revolving  Loans or
Letters of Credit of such Lender or Issuing  Lender through  another  lending or
letter of credit  office of such  Lender or  Issuing  Lender,  or (ii) take such
other  measures as such Lender or Issuing  Lender may deem  reasonable,  if as a
result thereof the circumstances which would cause such Lender to be an Affected
Lender would cease to exist or the additional  amounts which would  otherwise be
required to be paid to such Lender or Issuing Lender  pursuant to subsection 2.7
or  subsection  3.6 would be  materially  reduced and if, as  determined by such
Lender or Issuing Lender in its sole discretion, the making, issuing, funding or
maintaining of such Revolving Loan  Commitments or Revolving Loans or Letters of
Credit  through such other  lending or letter of credit  office or in accordance
with such other  measures,  as the case may be, would not  otherwise  materially
adversely  affect such Revolving Loan  Commitments or Revolving Loans or Letters
of Credit or the interests of such Lender or Issuing Lender;  provided that such
Lender or Issuing  Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other lending or
letter of credit office pursuant to this subsection 2.8 unless Company agrees to
pay all  incremental  expenses  incurred by such  Lender or Issuing  Lender as a
result of utilizing  such other  lending or letter of credit office as described
in clause (i) above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable
by Company  pursuant to this subsection 2.8 (setting forth in reasonable  detail
the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender or Issuing Lender
to Company  (with a copy to  Administrative  Agent) shall be  conclusive  absent
manifest error.

2.9      DEFAULTING LENDERS.

         Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event
that any Lender (a "DEFAULTING  LENDER")  defaults (a "FUNDING  DEFAULT") in its
obligation  to  fund  any  Revolving  Loan (a  "DEFAULTED  REVOLVING  Loan")  in
accordance  with  subsection 2.1 as a result of the appointment of a receiver or
conservator  with  respect  to such  Lender at the  direction  or request of any
regulatory  agency or authority,  then (i) during any Default Period (as defined
below) with respect to such Defaulting  Lender,  such Defaulting Lender shall be
deemed not to be a "Lender" for purposes of voting on any matters (including the
granting of any consents or waivers) with respect to any of the  Revolving  Loan
Documents,  (ii) to the extent  permitted by applicable  law, until such time as
the Default  Excess (as defined  below) with respect to such  Defaulting  Lender
shall have been reduced to zero,  (a) any voluntary  prepayment of the Revolving
Loans pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i) shall, if 


                                       67
<PAGE>

Company so directs at the time of making such voluntary  prepayment,  be applied
to the  Revolving  Loans of other  Lenders as if such  Defaulting  Lender had no
Revolving  Loans  outstanding and the Revolving Loan Exposure of such Defaulting
Lender  were zero,  and (b) any  mandatory  prepayment  of the  Revolving  Loans
pursuant to  subsection  2.4B(iii)  shall,  if Company so directs at the time of
making such  mandatory  prepayment,  be applied to the Revolving  Loans of other
Lenders (but not to the Revolving  Loans of such  Defaulting  Lender) as if such
Defaulting  Lender had funded all Defaulted  Revolving  Loans of such Defaulting
Lender,  it being understood and agreed that Company shall be entitled to retain
any portion of any mandatory  prepayment of the Revolving Loans that is not paid
to such Defaulting  Lender solely as a result of the operation of the provisions
of this clause (b), (iii) such Defaulting Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment and
outstanding  Revolving Loans and such Defaulting  Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
Letter of Credit  Usage  shall be  excluded  for  purposes  of  calculating  the
commitment fee payable to Lenders  pursuant to subsection 2.3A in respect of any
day during any Default Period with respect to such Defaulting  Lender,  and such
Defaulting  Lender shall not be entitled to receive any  commitment fee pursuant
to  subsection  2.3A with respect to such  Defaulting  Lender's  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  in respect of any  Default  Period with  respect to such  Defaulting
Lender,  and (iv) the Total  Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments as at any
date of  determination  shall be  calculated  as if such  Defaulting  Lender had
funded all Defaulted Revolving Loans of such Defaulting Lender.

         For  purposes of this  Agreement,  (I)  "DEFAULT  PERIOD"  means,  with
respect  to any  Defaulting  Lender,  the period  commencing  on the date of the
applicable  Funding  Default and ending on the earliest of the following  dates:
(A) the date on which all Revolving Loan Commitments are cancelled or terminated
and/or the Obligations are declared or become  immediately due and payable,  (B)
the date on which (1) the Default Excess with respect to such Defaulting  Lender
shall  have been  reduced to zero  (whether  by the  funding by such  Defaulting
Lender of any  Defaulted  Revolving  Loans of such  Defaulting  Lender or by the
non-pro  rata  application  of any  voluntary or  mandatory  prepayments  of the
Revolving  Loans in  accordance  with the terms of this  subsection  2.9 or by a
combination  thereof) and (2) such  Defaulting  Lender  shall have  delivered to
Company and  Administrative  Agent a written  reaffirmation  of its intention to
honor its  obligations  under this  Agreement with respect to its Revolving Loan
Commitment,  and (C)  the  date  on  which  Company,  Administrative  Agent  and
Requisite  Lenders  waive all  Funding  Defaults  of such  Defaulting  Lender in
writing, and (II) "DEFAULT EXCESS" means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender,
the excess, if any, of such Defaulting  Lender's Pro Rata Share of the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans of all Lenders (calculated as if
all  Defaulting  Lenders (other than such  Defaulting  Lender) had funded all of
their  respective  Defaulted  Revolving  Loans) over the  aggregate  outstanding
principal amount of Revolving Loans of such Defaulting Lender.

                  No Revolving Loan  Commitment of any Lender shall be increased
or  otherwise  affected,  and,  except as otherwise  expressly  provided in this
subsection 2.9,  performance by Company of its obligations  under this Agreement
and the other  Revolving  


                                       68
<PAGE>

Loan Documents  shall not be excused or otherwise  modified,  as a result of any
Funding Default or the operation of this subsection 2.9. The rights and remedies
against a Defaulting  Lender under this  subsection 2.9 are in addition to other
rights and remedies which Company may have against such  Defaulting  Lender with
respect to any Funding Default and which  Administrative Agent or any Lender may
have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any Funding Default.

2.10     REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT OF A LENDER.

         A.   Anything   contained   in   this   Agreement   to   the   contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that:

                  (i) (a) any Lender  (an  "INCREASED-COST  LENDER")  shall give
         notice to Company  that such Lender is an Affected  Lender or that such
         Lender  is  entitled  to  receive  payments  under  subsection  2.7  or
         subsection 3.6, (b) the circumstances  which have caused such Lender to
         be an Affected  Lender or which  entitle  such  Lender to receive  such
         payments  shall  remain in effect,  and (c) such  Lender  shall fail to
         withdraw such notice within five Business Days after Company's  request
         for such withdrawal; or

                  (ii) (a) any Lender shall become a Defaulting  Lender, (b) the
         Default Period for such Defaulting  Lender shall remain in effect,  and
         (c) such  Defaulting  Lender shall fail to cure the default as a result
         of which it has become a Defaulting  Lender  within five  Business Days
         after Company's request that it cure such default; or

                  (iii)  (a)  in   connection   with  any  proposed   amendment,
         modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any of the
         provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (i) through (v)
         of the first  proviso to  subsection  10.6A,  the consent of  Requisite
         Lenders shall have been obtained but the consent of one or more of such
         other  Lenders  (each  a  "NON-CONSENTING  LENDER")  whose  consent  is
         required  shall not have been  obtained,  and (b) the failure to obtain
         Non-Consenting  Lenders'  consents  does  not  result  solely  from the
         exercise of Non-Consenting  Lenders' rights (and the withholding of any
         required  consents by  Non-Consenting  Lenders)  pursuant to the second
         proviso to subsection 10.6A;

then,  and in each such case,  Company shall have the right,  at its option,  to
remove or replace the applicable  Increased-Cost  Lender,  Defaulting  Lender or
Non-Consenting  Lender  (the  "TERMINATED  LENDER") to the extent  permitted  by
subsection 2.10B.

         B. Company may, by giving  written notice to  Administrative  Agent and
any Terminated Lender of its election to do so:

                                       69
<PAGE>

                  (i) elect to (a) terminate the Revolving Loan  Commitment,  if
         any, of such Terminated  Lender upon receipt by such Terminated  Lender
         of such  notice  and (b)  prepay  on the date of such  termination  any
         outstanding  Revolving Loans made by such Terminated  Lender,  together
         with accrued and unpaid interest  thereon and any other amounts payable
         to  such  Terminated  Lender  hereunder  pursuant  to  subsection  2.6,
         subsection  2.7 or subsection  3.6 or otherwise;  provided that, in the
         event such Terminated Lender has any Revolving Loans outstanding at the
         time of such termination,  the written consent of Administrative  Agent
         and Requisite Lenders (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
         or delayed) shall be required in order for Company to make the election
         set forth in this clause (i); or

                  (ii)  elect  to  cause  such   Terminated   Lender  (and  such
         Terminated Lender hereby irrevocably  agrees) to assign its outstanding
         Revolving Loans and its Revolving Loan  Commitment,  if any, in full at
         par to one or more Eligible Assignees (each a "REPLACEMENT  LENDER") in
         accordance with the provisions of subsection  10.1B;  provided that (a)
         on the date of such  assignment,  Company shall pay any amounts payable
         to such Terminated Lender pursuant to subsection 2.6, subsection 2.7 or
         subsection  3.6 or otherwise as if it were a prepayment  and (b) in the
         event  such  Terminated  Lender  is  a  Non-Consenting   Lender,   each
         Replacement  Lender shall consent,  at the time of such assignment,  to
         each  matter  in  respect  of  which  such  Terminated   Lender  was  a
         Non-Consenting Lender;

provided  that (X)  Company may not make  either of the  elections  set forth in
clauses  (i) or (ii) above  with  respect to any  Non-Consenting  Lender  unless
Company also makes one of such elections  with respect to each other  Terminated
Lender which is a  Non-Consenting  Lender and (Y) Company may not make either of
such elections  with respect to any Terminated  Lender that is an Issuing Lender
unless,  prior to the effectiveness of such election,  Company shall have caused
each outstanding Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender to be cancelled.

         C. Upon the  prepayment of all amounts owing to any  Terminated  Lender
and the termination of such Terminated  Lender's  Revolving Loan Commitment,  if
any,  pursuant to clause (i) of  subsection  2.10B,  (i)  Schedule  2.1 shall be
deemed  modified  to reflect any  corresponding  changes in the  Revolving  Loan
Commitments  and (ii)  such  Terminated  Lender  shall no  longer  constitute  a
"Lender"  for  purposes  of this  Agreement;  provided  that any  rights of such
Terminated  Lender to  indemnification  under this  Agreement  (including  under
subsections  2.6D,  2.7, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3) shall survive as to such Terminated
Lender.


                                       70
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 3.
                                LETTERS OF CREDIT

3.1      ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT AND LENDERS' PURCHASE OF PARTICIPATIONS 
         THEREIN.

         A.       LETTERS OF CREDIT.  In  addition  to Company  requesting  that
Lenders make Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection  2.1A,  Company may request,
in  accordance  with the  provisions of this  subsection  3.1, from time to time
during the period from the Closing  Date to but  excluding  the  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  Termination  Date,  that one or more Lenders issue Letters of Credit
for the account of Company for the  purposes  specified  in the  definitions  of
Commercial Letters of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms
and  conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the  representations  and
warranties of Company herein set forth, any one or more Lenders may, but (except
as  provided in  subsection  3.1B(ii))  shall not be  obligated  to,  issue such
Letters of Credit in  accordance  with the  provisions of this  subsection  3.1;
provided  that  Company  shall not request  that any Lender issue (and no Lender
shall issue):

                  (i) any  Letter  of Credit  if,  after  giving  effect to such
         issuance,  the Total  Utilization of Revolving Loan  Commitments  would
         exceed  the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  then in effect or the sum of
         Borrowing Base then in effect plus all amounts up to $23,500,000  spent
         on the Anagram  Acquisition plus all amounts spent through such date on
         Permitted Business Acquisitions (in each case other than amounts funded
         through equity issuances or indebtedness other than Revolving Loans);

                  (ii) any  Letter of Credit  if,  after  giving  effect to such
         issuance, the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $15,000,000;

                  (iii) any Standby  Letter of Credit having an expiration  date
         later  than the  earlier  of (a) the date which is 30 days prior to the
         Revolving Loan  Commitment  Termination  Date and (b) the date which is
         not more than 365 days from the date of issuance of such Standby Letter
         of Credit; provided that the immediately preceding clause (b) shall not
         prevent  any  Issuing  Lender from  agreeing  that a Standby  Letter of
         Credit  will  automatically  be  extended  for one or  more  successive
         periods not to exceed one year each unless such Issuing  Lender  elects
         not to extend for any such  additional  period;  and provided,  further
         that such Issuing  Lender shall elect not to extend such Standby Letter
         of Credit if it has knowledge that an Event of Default has occurred and
         is continuing  (and has not been waived in accordance  with  subsection
         10.6) at the time such  Issuing  Lender  must  elect  whether or not to
         allow such extension; or

                  (iv) any Commercial Letter of Credit having an expiration date
         (a) later  than the  earlier  of (X) the date which is 30 days prior to
         the Revolving Loan Commitment  Termination  Date and (Y) the date which
         is 180 days  from the date of  


                                       71
<PAGE>

         issuance of such  Commercial  Letter of Credit or (b) that is otherwise
         unacceptable  to  the  applicable  Issuing  Lender  in  its  reasonable
         discretion.

         B.       MECHANICS OF ISSUANCE.

                  (i) Notice of Issuance.  Whenever Company desires the issuance
         of a Letter of  Credit,  it shall  deliver  to  Administrative  Agent a
         Notice of  Issuance  of Letter of Credit  substantially  in the form of
         Exhibit  III  annexed  hereto no later  than  12:00 Noon (New York City
         time) at least three  Business Days (in the case of Standby  Letters of
         Credit) or five  Business  Days (in the case of  Commercial  Letters of
         Credit), or in each case such shorter period as may be agreed to by the
         Issuing Lender in any particular  instance,  in advance of the proposed
         date of  issuance.  The Notice of  Issuance  of Letter of Credit  shall
         specify (a) the  proposed  date of issuance  (which shall be a Business
         Day),  (b)  whether  the Letter of Credit is to be a Standby  Letter of
         Credit or a  Commercial  Letter of Credit,  (c) the face  amount of the
         Letter of Credit,  (d) in the case of a Letter of Credit which  Company
         requests  to be  denominated  in a  currency  other than  Dollars,  the
         currency in which Company  requests such Letter of Credit to be issued,
         (e) the  expiration  date of the  Letter  of  Credit,  (f) the name and
         address  of the  beneficiary,  (g)  either  the  verbatim  text  of the
         proposed Letter of Credit or the proposed terms and conditions thereof,
         including a precise description of any documents to be presented by the
         beneficiary  which,  if  presented  by  the  beneficiary  prior  to the
         expiration  date of the Letter of Credit,  would  require  the  Issuing
         Lender to make payment under the Letter of Credit,  and (h) that, after
         giving  effect  to the  issuance  of the  Letter of  Credit,  the Total
         Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments will not exceed the Revolving
         Loan  Commitments  then in effect or the Borrowing Base then in effect;
         provided that the Issuing  Lender,  in its reasonable  discretion,  may
         require  changes  in the text of the  proposed  Letter of Credit or any
         such  documents;  and provided,  further that no Letter of Credit shall
         require payment against a conforming draft to be made thereunder on the
         same  business  day  (under the laws of the  jurisdiction  in which the
         office of the  Issuing  Lender to which  such draft is  required  to be
         presented is located) that such draft is presented if such presentation
         is made  after  10:00  A.M.  (in the time  zone of such  office  of the
         Issuing Lender) on such business day.

         Company shall notify the applicable Issuing Lender (and  Administrative
         Agent, if Administrative Agent is not such Issuing Lender) prior to the
         issuance  of any Letter of Credit in the event that any of the  matters
         to which  Company is  required to certify in the  applicable  Notice of
         Issuance  of Letter of Credit is no `longer  true and correct as of the
         proposed  date of  issuance  of such  Letter  of  Credit,  and upon the
         issuance  of any  Letter  of  Credit  Company  shall be  deemed to have
         re-certified,  as of the date of such  issuance,  as to the  matters to
         which  Company  is  required  to certify  in the  applicable  Notice of
         Issuance of Letter of Credit.

                                       72
<PAGE>

                  (ii)   Determination  of  Issuing  Lender.   Upon  receipt  by
         Administrative  Agent of a Notice  of  Issuance  of  Letter  of  Credit
         pursuant to subsection  3.1B(i)  requesting the issuance of a Letter of
         Credit, in the event  Administrative  Agent elects to issue such Letter
         of Credit,  Administrative  Agent shall promptly so notify Company, and
         Administrative  Agent shall be the Issuing Lender with respect thereto.
         In the event that Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion,  elects
         not to issue such Letter of Credit, Administrative Agent shall promptly
         so notify  Company,  whereupon  Company may request any other Lender to
         issue such Letter of Credit by  delivering to such Lender a copy of the
         applicable  Notice  of  Issuance  of Letter of  Credit.  Any  Lender so
         requested to issue such Letter of Credit shall promptly  notify Company
         and Administrative Agent whether or not, in its sole discretion, it has
         elected to issue such Letter of Credit,  and any such  Lender  which so
         elects to issue such Letter of Credit shall be the Issuing  Lender with
         respect  thereto.  In the  event  that all  other  Lenders  shall  have
         declined  to issue  such  Letter of Credit,  notwithstanding  the prior
         election  of  Administrative  Agent not to issue such Letter of Credit,
         Administrative  Agent shall be obligated to issue such Letter of Credit
         and shall be the Issuing Lender with respect  thereto,  notwithstanding
         the fact that the Letter of Credit Usage with respect to such Letter of
         Credit  and with  respect  to all other  Letters  of  Credit  issued by
         Administrative  Agent,  when  aggregated  with  Administrative  Agent's
         outstanding   Revolving  Loans,  may  exceed   Administrative   Agent's
         Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect;  provided that Administrative
         Agent shall not be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit  denominated
         in a foreign currency which in the judgment of Administrative  Agent is
         not readily and freely available.

                  (iii)  Issuance  of Letter of  Credit.  Upon  satisfaction  or
         waiver (in accordance with subsection 10.6) of the conditions set forth
         in subsection 4.3, the Issuing Lender shall issue the requested  Letter
         of Credit in accordance with the Issuing  Lender's  standard  operating
         procedures.

                  (iv) Notification to Lenders.  Upon the issuance of any Letter
         of  Credit  the  applicable   Issuing  Lender  shall  promptly   notify
         Administrative  Agent and each  other  Lender of such  issuance,  which
         notice  shall  be  accompanied  by a copy of  such  Letter  of  Credit.
         Promptly after receipt of such notice (or, if  Administrative  Agent is
         the Issuing Lender,  together with such notice),  Administrative  Agent
         shall  notify  each  Lender of the amount of such  Lender's  respective
         participation  in such Letter of Credit,  determined in accordance with
         subsection 3.1C.

                  (v) Reports to  Lenders.  Within 15 days after the end of each
         month  ending after the Closing  Date,  so long as any Letter of Credit
         shall have been  outstanding  during such month,  each  Issuing  Lender
         shall  deliver to each  other  Lender a report  setting  forth for such
         month  the  daily  aggregate  amount  available  to be drawn  under the
         Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing  Lender that were  outstanding
         during such month.

                                       73
<PAGE>

         C.  LENDERS'   PURCHASE  OF   PARTICIPATIONS   IN  LETTERS  OF  CREDIT.
Immediately  upon the  issuance of each Letter of Credit,  each Lender  shall be
deemed to, and hereby  agrees to, have  irrevocably  purchased  from the Issuing
Lender a  participation  in such  Letter  of  Credit  and any  drawings  honored
thereunder  in an amount  equal to such  Lender's  Pro Rata Share of the maximum
amount which is or at any time may become available to be drawn thereunder.

3.2      LETTER OF CREDIT FEES.

         Company agrees to pay the following  amounts with respect to Letters of
Credit issued hereunder:

                  (i) with  respect  to each  Standby  Letter of  Credit,  (a) a
         fronting fee, payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for its
         own account,  equal to 0.25% per annum of the daily amount available to
         be drawn under such Standby Letter of Credit and (b) a letter of credit
         fee, payable to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders,  equal
         to the  Applicable  Revolving  Eurodollar  Rate  Margin in effect  with
         respect to  Eurodollar  Rate Loans from time to time  multiplied by the
         daily amount available to be drawn under such Standby Letter of Credit,
         each such fronting fee or letter of credit fee to be payable in arrears
         on and to (but  excluding)  each March 15,  June 15,  September  15 and
         December 15 of each year and  computed  on the basis of a 360-day  year
         for the actual number of days elapsed;

                  (ii) with respect to each Commercial  Letter of Credit,  (a) a
         fronting fee, payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for its
         own account,  equal to 0.25% per annum of the daily amount available to
         be drawn  under  such  Commercial  Letter of Credit and (b) a letter of
         credit fee, payable to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders,
         equal to the Applicable Revolving Eurodollar Rate Margin in effect with
         respect to  Eurodollar  Rate Loans from time to time  multiplied by the
         daily  amount  available  to be drawn under such  Commercial  Letter of
         Credit, each such fronting fee or letter of credit fee to be payable in
         arrears on and to (but excluding) each March 15, June 15,  September 15
         and  December  15 of each year and  computed  on the basis of a 360-day
         year for the actual number of days elapsed; and

                  (iii) with respect to the  issuance,  amendment or transfer of
         each  Letter of Credit and each  payment of a drawing  made  thereunder
         (without  duplication  of the fees payable  under  clauses (i) and (ii)
         above),  documentary  and processing  charges  payable  directly to the
         applicable  Issuing Lender for its own account in accordance  with such
         Issuing  Lender's  standard  schedule for such charges in effect at the
         time of such issuance,  amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may
         be.

For purposes of calculating  any fees payable under clauses (i) and (ii) of this
subsection  3.2,  the daily  amount  available  to be drawn  under any Letter of
Credit  shall  be  determined  as of  the  close  of  business  on any  date  of
determination.  Promptly  upon  receipt  by  


                                       74
<PAGE>

Administrative Agent of any amount described in clause (i)(b) or (ii)(b) of this
subsection  3.2,  Administrative  Agent shall  distribute to each Lender its Pro
Rata Share of such amount.

3.3      DRAWINGS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         A.  RESPONSIBILITY  OF ISSUING  LENDER  WITH  RESPECT TO  DRAWINGS.  In
determining  whether  to honor any  drawing  under  any  Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to examine the
documents  delivered  under such Letter of Credit with  reasonable care so as to
ascertain  whether they appear on their face to be in accordance  with the terms
and conditions of such Letter of Credit.

         B. REIMBURSEMENT BY COMPANY OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT. In
the event an Issuing  Lender has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter of
Credit issued by it, such Issuing  Lender shall  immediately  notify Company and
Administrative  Agent,  and Company shall  reimburse  such Issuing  Lender on or
before the Business Day immediately  following the date on which such drawing is
honored (the "REIMBURSEMENT DATE") in an amount in Dollars (which amount, in the
case of a drawing  under a Letter of Credit which is  denominated  in a currency
other than Dollars,  shall be calculated by reference to the applicable Exchange
Rate)  and in same  day  funds  equal to the  amount  of such  honored  drawing;
provided   that,   anything   contained  in  this   Agreement  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding, (i) unless Company shall have notified Administrative Agent and
such Issuing  Lender  prior to 10:00 A.M.  (New York City time) on the date such
drawing is honored that Company intends to reimburse such Issuing Lender for the
amount of such  honored  drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Revolving
Loans,  Company  shall be deemed to have given a timely  Notice of  Borrowing to
Administrative  Agent  requesting  Lenders to make Revolving Loans that are Base
Rate Loans on the  Reimbursement  Date in an amount in Dollars (which amount, in
the case of a  drawing  under a Letter  of  Credit  which  is  denominated  in a
currency other than Dollars,  shall be calculated by reference to the applicable
Exchange  Rate) equal to the amount of such honored  drawing and (ii) subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions  specified in subsection 4.2B,  Lenders
shall, on the Reimbursement  Date, make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans
in the amount of such  honored  drawing,  the proceeds of which shall be applied
directly by Administrative Agent to reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount
of such honored drawing;  and provided,  further that if for any reason proceeds
of Revolving Loans are not received by such Issuing Lender on the  Reimbursement
Date in an amount equal to the amount of such  honored  drawing,  Company  shall
reimburse such Issuing Lender,  on demand,  in an amount in same day funds equal
to the excess of the amount of such honored drawing over the aggregate amount of
such Revolving Loans, if any, which are so received.  Nothing in this subsection
3.3B shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to make Revolving
Loans on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and Company shall
retain any and all rights it may have  against  any  Lender  resulting  from the
failure of such Lender to make such Revolving Loans under this subsection 3.3B.

                                       75
<PAGE>

         C.       PAYMENT BY LENDERS OF UNREIMBURSED AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS 
OF CREDIT.

                  (i) Payment by Lenders.  In the event that Company  shall fail
         for  any  reason  to  reimburse  any  Issuing  Lender  as  provided  in
         subsection  3.3B in an  amount  (calculated,  in the case of a  drawing
         under a Letter of Credit  denominated in a currency other than Dollars,
         by reference to the  applicable  Exchange  Rate) equal to the amount of
         any drawing  honored by such  Issuing  Lender  under a Letter of Credit
         issued by it, such  Issuing  Lender  shall  promptly  notify each other
         Lender of the  unreimbursed  amount of such honored drawing and of such
         other Lender's respective  participation therein based on such Lender's
         Pro Rata Share. Each Lender shall make available to such Issuing Lender
         an amount equal to its respective participation, in Dollars and in same
         day  funds,  at the office of such  Issuing  Lender  specified  in such
         notice,  not later  than  12:00  Noon (New York City time) on the first
         business day (under the laws of the  jurisdiction  in which such office
         of such  Issuing  Lender is  located)  after the date  notified by such
         Issuing Lender. In the event that any Lender fails to make available to
         such Issuing  Lender on such  business day the amount of such  Lender's
         participation  in such Letter of Credit as provided in this  subsection
         3.3C,  such Issuing  Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on
         demand  from such Lender  together  with  interest  thereon at the rate
         customarily  used by such Issuing  Lender for the  correction of errors
         among banks for three  Business  Days and  thereafter at the Base Rate.
         Nothing in this  subsection 3.3C shall be deemed to prejudice the right
         of any Lender to recover  from any  Issuing  Lender  any  amounts  made
         available  by such  Lender  to such  Issuing  Lender  pursuant  to this
         subsection  3.3C  in the  event  that  it is  determined  by the  final
         judgment of a court of  competent  jurisdiction  that the payment  with
         respect  to a Letter of Credit by such  Issuing  Lender in  respect  of
         which payment was made by such Lender  constituted  gross negligence or
         willful misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender.

                  (ii) Distribution to Lenders of  Reimbursements  Received From
         Company.  In the event any Issuing Lender shall have been reimbursed by
         other Lenders pursuant to subsection  3.3C(i) for all or any portion of
         any drawing  honored by such  Issuing  Lender  under a Letter of Credit
         issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other Lender
         which has paid all amounts payable by it under subsection  3.3C(i) with
         respect to such honored  drawing such other  Lender's Pro Rata Share of
         all payments  subsequently received by such Issuing Lender from Company
         in  reimbursement  of such  honored  drawing  when  such  payments  are
         received.  Any  such  distribution  shall  be made to a  Lender  at its
         primary address set forth below its name on the  appropriate  signature
         page hereof or at such other address as such Lender may request.

         D.       INTEREST ON AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.

                  (i) Payment of Interest by Company.  Company  agrees to pay to
         each Issuing Lender, with respect to drawings honored under any Letters
         of Credit  issued 


                                       76
<PAGE>

         by it, interest on the amount paid by such Issuing Lender in respect of
         each such honored  drawing from the date such drawing is honored to but
         excluding the date such amount is reimbursed by Company  (including any
         such  reimbursement  out of the proceeds of Revolving Loans pursuant to
         subsection  3.3B) at a rate equal to (a) for the  period  from the date
         such drawing is honored to but excluding the  Reimbursement  Date,  the
         rate then in effect  under this  Agreement  with  respect to  Revolving
         Loans that are Base Rate Loans and (b)  thereafter,  a rate which is 2%
         per annum in excess of the rate of  interest  otherwise  payable  under
         this  Agreement  with  respect  to  Revolving  Loans that are Base Rate
         Loans.  Interest payable  pursuant to this subsection  3.3D(i) shall be
         computed on the basis of a 360-day  year for the actual  number of days
         elapsed in the period  during  which it accrues and shall be payable on
         demand  or,  if no demand  is made,  on the date on which  the  related
         drawing under a Letter of Credit is reimbursed in full.

                  (ii)  Distribution  of Interest  Payments  by Issuing  Lender.
         Promptly upon receipt by any Issuing  Lender of any payment of interest
         pursuant to subsection  3.3D(i) with respect to a drawing honored under
         a Letter  of  Credit  issued  by it,  (a)  such  Issuing  Lender  shall
         distribute to each other Lender,  out of the interest  received by such
         Issuing  Lender in respect of the period from the date such  drawing is
         honored  to but  excluding  the date on which  such  Issuing  Lender is
         reimbursed  for  the  amount  of  such  drawing   (including  any  such
         reimbursement  out of the  proceeds  of  Revolving  Loans  pursuant  to
         subsection  3.3B),  the amount that such other  Lender  would have been
         entitled  to  receive in respect of the letter of credit fee that would
         have been  payable in respect of such  Letter of Credit for such period
         pursuant to  subsection  3.2 if no drawing had been honored  under such
         Letter of Credit,  and (b) in the event such Issuing  Lender shall have
         been reimbursed by other Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all
         or any portion of such  honored  drawing,  such  Issuing  Lender  shall
         distribute  to each other Lender which has paid all amounts  payable by
         it under  subsection  3.3C(i) with respect to such honored drawing such
         other Lender's Pro Rata Share of any interest  received by such Issuing
         Lender in respect of that portion of such honored drawing so reimbursed
         by other  Lenders  for the period  from the date on which such  Issuing
         Lender was so  reimbursed by other Lenders to but excluding the date on
         which such portion of such honored  drawing is  reimbursed  by Company.
         Any such distribution  shall be made to a Lender at its primary address
         set forth below its name on the appropriate signature page hereof or at
         such other address as such Lender may request.

3.4      OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.

         The obligation of Company to reimburse each Issuing Lender for drawings
honored  under the  Letters  of Credit  issued by it and to repay any  Revolving
Loans made by Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3B and the obligations of Lenders
under  subsection  3.3C(i) shall be  unconditional  and irrevocable and shall be
paid  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of this  Agreement  under  all
circumstances including any of the following circumstances:

                                       77
<PAGE>

                  (i) any lack of  validity or  enforceability  of any Letter of
         Credit;

                  (ii) the  existence  of any claim,  set-off,  defense or other
         right  which  Company  or any  Lender  may have at any time  against  a
         beneficiary  or any  transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons
         for whom any such  transferee  may be acting),  any  Issuing  Lender or
         other Lender or any other  Person or, in the case of a Lender,  against
         Company,  whether in connection with this Agreement,  the  transactions
         contemplated  herein  or  any  unrelated  transaction   (including  any
         underlying  transaction  between Company or one of its Subsidiaries and
         the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured);

                  (iii) any draft or other document  presented  under any Letter
         of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,  invalid or insufficient in
         any respect or any statement  therein being untrue or inaccurate in any
         respect;

                  (iv) payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under any Letter
         of Credit against  presentation of a draft or other document which does
         not substantially comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

                  (v)  any   adverse   change  in  the   business,   operations,
         properties,  assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (vi) any breach of this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document
         by any party thereto;

                  (vii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever,  whether
         or not similar to any of the foregoing; or

                  (viii) the fact that an Event of Default or a Potential  Event
         of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

provided,  in each case, that payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under the
applicable  Letter of Credit  shall not have  constituted  gross  negligence  or
willful  misconduct of such Issuing Lender under the  circumstances  in question
(as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

3.5      INDEMNIFICATION; NATURE OF ISSUING LENDERS' DUTIES

         A.  INDEMNIFICATION.  In  addition  to amounts  payable as  provided in
subsection  3.6,  Company  hereby  agrees to  protect,  indemnify,  pay and save
harmless  each  Issuing  Lender from and  against  any and all claims,  demands,
liabilities,  damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable
fees,  expenses and  disbursements  of counsel and  allocated  costs of internal
counsel)  which such Issuing Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence,
direct or indirect,  of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing

                                       78
<PAGE>

Lender, other than as a result of (a) the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of such Issuing Lender as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction or (b) subject to the following clause (ii), the wrongful  dishonor
by such Issuing  Lender of a proper  demand for payment made under any Letter of
Credit  issued  by it or (ii) the  failure  of such  Issuing  Lender  to honor a
drawing  under any such  Letter  of  Credit as a result of any act or  omission,
whether  rightful  or  wrongful,  of any  present  or future de jure or de facto
government or governmental  authority (all such acts or omissions  herein called
"GOVERNMENTAL ACTS").

         B.  NATURE OF  ISSUING  LENDERS'  DUTIES.  As between  Company  and any
Issuing  Lender,  Company  assumes  all risks of the acts and  omissions  of, or
misuse of the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender by, the respective
beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of
the foregoing,  such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible  for: (i) the form,
validity,  sufficiency,  accuracy,  genuineness  or legal effect of any document
submitted by any party in connection  with the  application  for and issuance of
any such  Letter of Credit,  even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all
respects  invalid,  insufficient,  inaccurate,  fraudulent  or forged;  (ii) the
validity  or  sufficiency  of  any  instrument   transferring  or  assigning  or
purporting  to  transfer  or assign  any such  Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to
be invalid or ineffective  for any reason;  (iii) failure of the  beneficiary of
any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with any conditions  required in order
to draw upon such Letter of Credit;  (iv) errors,  omissions,  interruptions  or
delays in transmission or delivery of any messages,  by mail, cable,  telegraph,
telex  or  otherwise,   whether  or  not  they  be  in  cipher;  (v)  errors  in
interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or
otherwise  of any  document  required in order to make a drawing  under any such
Letter of Credit or of the proceeds  thereof;  (vii) the  misapplication  by the
beneficiary  of any such Letter of Credit of the  proceeds of any drawing  under
such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the
control of such Issuing Lender, including any Governmental Acts, and none of the
above shall  affect or impair,  or prevent  the vesting of, any of such  Issuing
Lender's rights or powers hereunder.

         In  furtherance  and  extension  and not in  limitation of the specific
provisions set forth in the first paragraph of this subsection  3.5B, any action
taken or omitted by any Issuing  Lender under or in connection  with the Letters
of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates  delivered  thereunder,
if taken or omitted in good faith,  shall not put such Issuing  Lender under any
resulting liability to Company.

         Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in this subsection
3.5,  Company  shall  retain any and all rights it may have  against any Issuing
Lender for any liability  arising solely out of the gross  negligence or willful
misconduct of such Issuing Lender,  as determined by a final judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction.

                                       79
<PAGE>

3.6      INCREASED COSTS AND TAXES RELATING TO LETTERS OF CREDIT

         Subject  to  the   provisions  of  subsection   2.7B  (which  shall  be
controlling  with  respect to the  matters  covered  thereby and to the extent a
Lender is not entitled to payment  under the terms of Section 2.7B, it shall not
be entitled to payment pursuant to this section),  in the event that any Issuing
Lender or Lender shall determine  (which  determination  shall,  absent manifest
error,  be final and  conclusive  and binding upon all parties  hereto) that any
law, treaty or governmental rule,  regulation or order, or any change therein or
in the  interpretation,  administration  or application  thereof  (including the
introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule,  regulation or order),
or any  determination  of a court or governmental  authority,  in each case that
becomes  effective after the date hereof, or compliance by any Issuing Lender or
Lender with any  guideline,  request or directive  issued or made after the date
hereof by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority
(whether or not having the force of law):

                  (i) subjects such Issuing  Lender or Lender (or its applicable
         lending or letter of credit  office) to any  additional Tax (other than
         any Tax on the  overall  net income of such  Issuing  Lender or Lender)
         with respect to the issuing or  maintaining of any Letters of Credit or
         the  purchasing or  maintaining  of any  participations  therein or any
         other  obligations  under this Section 3,  whether  directly or by such
         being imposed on or suffered by any particular Issuing Lender;

                  (ii)  imposes,   modifies  or  holds  applicable  any  reserve
         (including  any  marginal,  emergency,  supplemental,  special or other
         reserve),  special deposit,  compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar
         requirement  in respect of any Letters of Credit  issued by any Issuing
         Lender or participations therein purchased by any Lender; or

                  (iii) imposes any other condition  (other than with respect to
         a Tax matter) on or  affecting  such  Issuing  Lender or Lender (or its
         applicable lending or letter of credit office) regarding this Section 3
         or any Letter of Credit or any participation therein;

and the result of any of the  foregoing  is to increase the cost to such Issuing
Lender or Lender of  agreeing  to issue,  issuing or  maintaining  any Letter of
Credit or agreeing to purchase,  purchasing  or  maintaining  any  participation
therein or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Issuing Lender or
Lender (or its  applicable  lending  or letter of credit  office)  with  respect
thereto by an amount considered by such Issuing Lender or Lender to be material;
then, in any case,  Company shall promptly pay to such Issuing Lender or Lender,
upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence,  such additional
amount or amounts as may be  necessary  to  compensate  such  Issuing  Lender or
Lender  for any  such  increased  cost  or  reduction  in  amounts  received  or
receivable  hereunder.  Such Issuing Lender or Lender shall deliver to Company a
written statement,  setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating
the  additional  amounts  owed to 


                                       80
<PAGE>

such Issuing Lender or Lender under this  subsection  3.6, which statement shall
be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.


                                   SECTION 4.
     CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS; CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

         The  effectiveness  of this Agreement and the obligations of Lenders to
make (or  maintain,  as the case may be)  Revolving  Loans and the  issuance  of
Letters of Credit  hereunder  are subject to the  satisfaction  of the following
conditions.

4.1      CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS.

         The  effectiveness  of this Agreement is subject to prior or concurrent
satisfaction of the following conditions:

         A. LOAN PARTY DOCUMENTS.  On or before the Restatement  Effective Date,
Company shall,  and shall cause each other Loan Party to, deliver to Lenders (or
to Administrative Agent for Lenders with sufficient  originally executed copies,
where  appropriate,  for each Lender and its counsel) the following with respect
to Company or such Loan Party, as the case may be, each, unless otherwise noted,
dated the Restatement Effective Date:

                  (i)  Certified  copies  of  the  Certificate  or  Articles  of
         Incorporation of such Person (or, in lieu thereof, a certificate of the
         corporate  secretary of such Person  certifying  as of the  Restatement
         Effective Date that its Certificate of  Incorporation  delivered on the
         Closing Date pursuant to subsection 4.1 of the Existing  Revolving Loan
         Credit  Agreement is in full force and effect without  modification  or
         amendment),   together  with  a  good  standing  certificate  from  the
         Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of incorporation  and each other
         state in which such Person is qualified as a foreign  corporation to do
         business and, to the extent generally available, a certificate or other
         evidence of good standing as to payment of any applicable  franchise or
         similar  taxes from the  appropriate  taxing  authority of each of such
         jurisdictions,  each  dated a  recent  date  prior  to the  Restatement
         Effective Date;

                  (ii) Copies of the Bylaws of such Person,  certified as of the
         Closing  Date by such  Person's  corporate  secretary  or an  assistant
         secretary  (or,  in  lieu  thereof,  a  certificate  of  the  corporate
         secretary of such Person  certifying  as of the  Restatement  Effective
         Date  that  its  Bylaws  delivered  on the  Closing  Date  pursuant  to
         subsection 4.1 of the Existing  Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement is in
         full force and effect without modification or amendment);

                                       81
<PAGE>

                  (iii)  Resolutions  of the Board of  Directors  of such Person
         approving and  authorizing  the execution,  delivery and performance of
         the Revolving Loan Documents and the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement to
         which it is a party,  certified as of the Restatement Effective Date by
         the  corporate  secretary or an  assistant  secretary of such Person as
         being in full force and effect without modification or amendment;

                  (iv) Signature and incumbency  certificates of the officers of
         such Person  executing  the Revolving  Loan  Documents to which it is a
         party;

                  (v) Executed  originals of this  Agreement  and (to the extent
         not previously  executed and delivered to Lenders) the other  Revolving
         Loan Documents to which such Person is a party; and

                  (vi) Such other documents as Arranger or Administrative  Agent
         may reasonably request.

         B.       NO  MATERIAL  ADVERSE  EFFECT.  Since  December 31, 1997, no 
Material Adverse Effect (in the opinions of Arranger and  Administrative  Agent)
shall have  occurred.  Since  December  31,  1997,  there shall not have been an
adverse change, or any development involving a prospective adverse change, in or
affecting Anagram or any of its Subsidiaries or the general affairs, management,
financial position,  shareholders' equity or results of operation of Anagram and
its   Subsidiaries   which  is,  in  the   reasonable   judgment  of   Arranger,
Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders, material.

         C.       CORPORATE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE, OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, ETC.

                  (i)  Corporate   Structure.   The   corporate   organizational
         structure of Company and its Subsidiaries, both before and after giving
         effect to the  Anagram  Acquisition,  shall be as set forth on Schedule
         4.1C annexed hereto.

                  (ii) Capital  Structure and Ownership.  The capital  structure
         and  ownership of Company,  both before and after giving  effect to the
         Anagram  Acquisition,  shall be as set forth on Schedule  4.1C  annexed
         hereto.

                  (iii)  Management;   Employment  Agreements.   The  management
         structure  of Company  after giving  effect to the Anagram  Acquisition
         shall be as set forth on Schedule  4.1C  annexed  hereto.  Arranger and
         Administrative  Agent shall have received duly executed  copies of, and
         shall be  satisfied  with the form and  substance  of,  the  Employment
         Agreements as set forth on Schedule 4.1C annexed hereto.

                                       82
<PAGE>

         D.       ANAGRAM ACQUISITION AGREEMENT.

                  (i) The Anagram Acquisition Agreement shall be satisfactory in
         form and substance to Arranger and Administrative Agent;

                  (ii) On or prior to the Restatement  Effective Date,  Arranger
         and  Administrative  Agent shall each have received a fully executed or
         conformed  copy of the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement  (including  all
         schedules and exhibits thereto) and any material  documents executed in
         connection therewith;

                  (iii)  The  Anagram  Acquisition  shall be in full  force  and
         effect and no provision  thereof  shall have been modified or waived in
         any  respect  determined  by  Arranger  or  Administrative  Agent to be
         material,   in  each  case   without  the   consent  of  Arranger   and
         Administrative Agent;

                  (iv) The parties thereto shall not have failed in any material
         respect to perform any material  obligation or covenant required by the
         Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement to be performed or complied with by any
         of them on or before the Restatement Effective Date; and

                  (v) Arranger and  Administrative  Agent shall have received an
         Officer's  Certificate  from Company to the effect set forth in clauses
         (ii)-(iv) above.

         E.       MATTERS RELATING TO EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS OF COMPANY AND ITS 
SUBSIDIARIES.

                  (i)  Termination  of Existing  Anagram  Credit  Agreements and
         Related Liens;  Existing Anagram Letters of Credit.  On or prior to the
         Restatement Effective Date, Anagram and its Subsidiaries shall have (a)
         repaid in full all Indebtedness  outstanding under the Existing Anagram
         Credit  Agreements  as set forth on  Schedule  4.1E-II  (the  aggregate
         principal amount of which Indebtedness  shall not exceed  $19,000,000),
         (b)  terminated  any  commitments  to lend or make other  extensions of
         credit thereunder,  (c) delivered to Arranger and Administrative  Agent
         all documents or  instruments  necessary to release all Liens  securing
         Indebtedness  or other  obligations  of  Anagram  and its  Subsidiaries
         thereunder,  and (d) made  arrangements  satisfactory  to Arranger  and
         Administrative Agent with respect to the cancellation of any letters of
         credit  outstanding  thereunder or the issuance of Letters of Credit to
         support the obligations of Company and its  Subsidiaries  (after giving
         effect to the Anagram Acquisition) with respect thereto.

                  (ii)  Existing  Indebtedness  to  Remain  Outstanding.  On the
         Restatement  Effective Date,  Arranger and  Administrative  Agent shall
         have received an Officers'  Certificate of Company stating that,  after
         giving effect to the  transactions  described in this subsection  4.1E,
         the  Indebtedness  of Loan Parties (other than  Indebtedness  under the
         Loan Documents and the Senior  Subordinated Notes) shall consist of 


                                       83
<PAGE>

         (a)   approximately   $5,809,255  in  aggregate   principal  amount  of
         outstanding  Indebtedness  described  in Part I of Schedule 7.1 annexed
         hereto  and (b)  Indebtedness  in an  aggregate  amount  not to  exceed
         $4,123,512  in  respect  of  Capital  Leases  described  in  Part II of
         Schedule  7.1  annexed  hereto.  The terms and  conditions  of all such
         Indebtedness  shall  be  in  form  and  in  substance  satisfactory  to
         Arranger, Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders.

         F.    NECESSARY  GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORIZATIONS AND CONSENTS;  EXPIRATION
OF  WAITING   PERIODS,   ETC.  Company  shall  have  obtained  all  Governmental
Authorizations  and all  consents  of  other  Persons,  in each  case  that  are
necessary or advisable in connection with the Anagram  Acquisition and the other
transactions  contemplated  by the Loan  Documents  and the Anagram  Acquisition
Agreement and the continued  operation of the business  conducted by Company and
its Subsidiaries  (including  Anagram and its Subsidiaries) in substantially the
same manner as conducted prior to the  consummation of the Anagram  Acquisition,
and each of the foregoing shall be in full force and effect,  in each case other
than those the failure to obtain or maintain  which,  either  individually or in
the  aggregate,  would not  reasonably  be expected  to have a Material  Adverse
Effect.  All applicable  waiting  periods shall have expired  without any action
being taken or  threatened  by any  competent  authority  which would  restrain,
prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the Anagram Acquisition or the
financing  thereof.  No  action,  request  for  stay,  petition  for  review  or
rehearing, reconsideration, or appeal with respect to any of the foregoing shall
be pending,  and the time for any applicable  agency to take action to set aside
its consent on its own motion shall have expired.

         G.       CONSUMMATION OF ANAGRAM ACQUISITION.

                  (i) All conditions to the Anagram Acquisition set forth in the
         Anagram  Acquisition   Agreement  shall  have  been  satisfied  or  the
         fulfillment  of any such  conditions  shall have been waived;  provided
         that Arranger,  Administrative  Agent and Requisite  Lenders shall have
         consented  to any such waiver of any such  condition  that  Arranger or
         Administrative Agent reasonably deems material;

                  (ii) The Anagram  Acquisition  shall have become  effective in
         accordance  with the terms of the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement at or
         immediately  prior to the time of funding of the  Additional  AXELs and
         any Revolving Loans to be made hereunder on the  Restatement  Effective
         Date;

                  (iii) Anagram  Transaction Costs shall not exceed  $4,000,000,
         and Arranger shall have received  evidence to its  satisfaction to such
         effect; and

                  (iv) Arranger and Administrative  Agent shall have received an
         Officers'  Certificate  of  Company  to the effect set forth in clauses
         (i)-(iii) above.

                                       84
<PAGE>

         H. SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL AND MIXED PROPERTY.  Collateral Agent
shall have  received  evidence  satisfactory  to it that Company and  Subsidiary
Guarantors  shall have taken or caused to be taken (to the extent not previously
taken pursuant to the terms of the Existing  Revolving Loan Credit Agreement and
the other Loan  Documents  executed in connection  therewith)  all such actions,
executed  and  delivered  or  caused  to be  executed  and  delivered  all  such
agreements,  documents and  instruments,  and made or caused to be made all such
filings and recordings (other than the filing or recording of items described in
clauses  (iii),  (iv) and (v) below) that may be necessary or, in the opinion of
Collateral Agent, desirable in order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for
the benefit of Secured  Parties,  a valid and (upon such  filing and  recording)
perfected  First  Priority  security  interest in the entire  personal and mixed
property Collateral. Such actions shall include the following:

                  (i) Schedules to Collateral Documents.  Delivery to Collateral
         Agent of  accurate  and  complete  schedules  to all of the  applicable
         Collateral Documents.

                  (ii)  Stock   Certificates   and   Instruments.   Delivery  to
         Collateral  Agent  of (a)  certificates  (which  certificates  shall be
         accompanied by irrevocable undated stock powers, duly endorsed in blank
         and otherwise  satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral  Agent)
         representing  all capital stock pledged  pursuant to the Company Pledge
         Agreement and the Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreements and (b) all promissory
         notes or other  instruments  (duly endorsed,  where  appropriate,  in a
         manner satisfactory to Collateral Agent) evidencing any Collateral;

                  (iii) Lien Searches and UCC Termination  Statements.  Delivery
         to  Arranger  and  Administrative  Agent of (a) the results of a recent
         search, by a Person satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative  Agent,
         of all effective UCC financing  statements and fixture  filings and all
         judgment and tax lien filings  which may have been made with respect to
         any personal or mixed  property of Anagram or any of its  Subsidiaries,
         together with copies of all such filings disclosed by such search,  and
         (b) UCC termination  statements duly executed by all applicable Persons
         for  filing in all  applicable  jurisdictions  as may be  necessary  to
         terminate any effective  UCC  financing  statements or fixture  filings
         disclosed in such search (other than any such  financing  statements or
         fixture  filings in respect of Liens  permitted  to remain  outstanding
         pursuant to the terms of this Agreement).

                  (iv)  UCC  Financing   Statements  and  Fixture  Filings;  PTO
         Filings.  (a) Delivery to Collateral Agent of UCC financing  statements
         and,  where  appropriate,   fixture  filings,  duly  executed  by  each
         applicable  Loan Party with respect to all personal and mixed  property
         Collateral of such Loan Party,  for filing in all  jurisdictions as may
         be  necessary  or,  in the  reasonable  opinion  of  Collateral  Agent,
         desirable to perfect the security  interests created in such Collateral
         pursuant to the Collateral Documents and (b) delivery to Administrative
         Agent of all cover sheets or other documents or instruments required to
         be filed with the PTO or the United 


                                       85
<PAGE>

         States  Copyright Office in order to create or perfect Liens in respect
         of any IP Collateral;

                  (v)  Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreements.  Execution and delivery to
         Collateral  Agent of Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreements  with respect to the
         stock  of all  Foreign  Subsidiaries  organized  under  the laws of all
         jurisdictions with respect to which Collateral Agent deems an Auxiliary
         Pledge Agreement necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise protect
         the First  Priority  Liens  granted  to  Collateral  Agent on behalf of
         Secured Parties in such stock, and the taking of all such other actions
         under  the laws of such  jurisdictions  as  Collateral  Agent  may deem
         necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise protect such Liens; and

                  (vi)  Opinions of Local  Counsel.  Delivery  to  Arranger  and
         Administrative  Agent of an opinion of counsel  (which counsel shall be
         reasonably satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent) under the
         laws of each state in the United  States in which any personal or mixed
         property  Collateral  with an aggregate  value in excess of $500,000 is
         located with respect to the  creation  and  perfection  of the security
         interests  in favor of  Collateral  Agent in such  Collateral  and such
         other matters governed by the laws of such jurisdiction  regarding such
         security interests as Arranger and Administrative  Agent may reasonably
         request, in each case in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
         Arranger and Administrative Agent.

         I.       EDEN PRAIRIE HOLDINGS.  On or before the Restatement Effective
Date, Collateral Agent shall have received from Anagram:

                  (i)  Certified  copy of the  Certificate  of Formation of Eden
         Prairie  Holdings,  together with a good standing  certificate from the
         Secretary  of State of  Delaware  and each  other  state in which  Eden
         Prairie Holdings is qualified to do business,  each dated a recent date
         prior to the Restatement Effective Date;

                  (ii) Evidence in form and substance  satisfactory  to Arranger
         and Administrative Agent that Anagram International has transferred all
         its  right,  title  and  interest  in and to the  Anagram  Headquarters
         Facility to Eden Prairie Holdings;

                  (iii) Evidence in form and substance  satisfactory to Arranger
         and  Administrative  Agent that Company has assigned all its membership
         interest in Eden Prairie Holdings to Anagram International;

                  (iv)  Copy of a lease  relating  to the  Anagram  Headquarters
         Facility  entered into by and between Eden Prairie Holdings and Anagram
         International,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to  Arranger  and
         Administrative Agent; and

                  (v) Evidence satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent
         that Anagram  International  has appointed an  independent  manager for
         Eden  Prairie  


                                       86
<PAGE>

         Holdings in accordance  with  paragraph  Seventh of the  Certificate of
         Formation of Eden Prairie  Holdings;  provided that, to the extent such
         independent  manager is not so appointed  on or before the  Restatement
         Effective Date, Company shall cause Anagram International to appoint an
         independent  manager  for Eden  Prairie  Holdings  in  accordance  with
         paragraph  Seventh of the  Certificate  of  Formation  of Eden  Prairie
         Holdings as promptly as practicable  after being  requested to do so by
         Collateral Agent in accordance with said paragraph Seventh.

         J. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS.  Arranger and Administrative Agent shall have
received  such  reports  and other  information,  in form,  scope and  substance
satisfactory   to  Arranger   and   Administrative   Agent,   as  Arranger   and
Administrative  Agent may reasonably  require  regarding  environmental  matters
relating to Anagram and its Subsidiaries and any of their respective Facilities.

         K.  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS;  PRO FORMA BALANCE  SHEET.  On or before the
Restatement Effective Date, Lenders shall have received from Company (i) audited
financial statements of Anagram International, Inc. and its Subsidiaries for its
fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997,  consisting of balance sheets and
the consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for
such fiscal years, (ii) unaudited combined and combining financial statements of
Anagram and its  Subsidiaries  as at June 30, 1998,  consisting  of an unaudited
combined and combining  balance sheet and the combined and combining  statements
of income for the six-month period ending on such date, all in reasonable detail
and certified by the chief financial officer of Anagram that they fairly present
the  financial  condition  of  Anagram  and  its  Subsidiaries  as at the  dates
indicated and the results of their operations for the periods indicated, subject
to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments, (iii) unaudited
financial  statements  of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  as at June 30,  1998,
consisting of a balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income,
stockholders'  equity and cash  flows for the  six-month  period  ending on such
date, all in reasonable  detail and certified by the chief financial  officer of
Company  that they fairly  present the  financial  condition  of Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the dates  indicated and the results of their  operations and
their cash flows for the periods  indicated,  subject to changes  resulting from
audit and normal year-end adjustments,(iv) pro forma consolidated balance sheets
of Company and its Subsidiaries as of July 31, 1998, prepared in accordance with
GAAP and reflecting the  consummation  of the Anagram  Acquisition,  the related
financings and the other transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the
Anagram Acquisition Agreement,  which pro forma financial statements shall be in
form  and  substance  satisfactory  to  Lenders,  and  (v) pro  forma  financial
statements  (including  consolidated  balance sheets,  statements of operations,
stockholders'  equity and cash  flows) of Company  and its  Subsidiaries  (after
giving effect to the Anagram  Acquisition) for the 10-year period  commencing on
the Restatement Effective Date, which pro forma financial statements shall be in
form and substance satisfactory to Lenders.

                                       87
<PAGE>

         L.  EVIDENCE  OF  INSURANCE.  Collateral  Agent  shall have  received a
certificate from Company's insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it
that all insurance  required to be maintained  pursuant to subsection  6.4 is in
full force and effect and that Collateral Agent on behalf of Secured Parties has
been named as  additional  insured  and/or loss payee  thereunder  to the extent
required under subsection 6.4.

         M.  OPINIONS OF COUNSEL TO LOAN PARTIES.  Lenders and their  respective
counsel  shall  have  received  (i)  originally  executed  copies of one or more
favorable  written  opinions  of (a)  Wachtell,  Lipton,  Rosen & Katz,  special
counsel for Loan  Parties,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Administrative  Agent and Arranger and its counsel,  dated as of the Restatement
Effective  Date and setting  forth  substantially  the  matters in the  opinions
designated  in Exhibit  VII-A  annexed  hereto  and as to such other  matters as
Administrative  Agent or Arranger and acting on behalf of Lenders may reasonably
request  and (b)  Kurzman &  Eisenberg  counsel  for Loan  Parties,  in form and
substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Arranger and its
counsel,   dated  as  of  the  Restatement  Effective  Date  and  setting  forth
substantially  the matters in the opinions  designated  in Exhibit VII-B annexed
hereto and as to such other  matters as  Administrative  Agent or  Arranger  and
acting  on  behalf  of  Lenders  may  reasonably  request,   and  (ii)  evidence
satisfactory  to Arranger and  Administrative  Agent that Company has  requested
such counsel to deliver such opinions to Lenders.

         N. OPINIONS OF ARRANGER AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT'S  COUNSEL.  Lenders
shall have received  originally executed copies of one or more favorable written
opinions of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, counsel to Arranger and Administrative Agent,
dated as of the Restatement Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
VIII annexed hereto and as to such other matters as Arranger and  Administrative
Agent may reasonably request.

         O. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL RELATING TO THE ANAGRAM  ACQUISITION  AGREEMENT.
On or prior to the Effective Date, Arranger and Administrative  Agent shall each
have received executed copies of all opinions by counsel delivered in connection
with the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement to Company or any of its  Subsidiaries.
All such  opinions  shall be, to the extent  agreed to by the person  delivering
such  opinion,  addressed  to  Arranger,  Administrative  Agent and  Lenders  or
accompanied by written authorization from each person delivering such an opinion
stating that Arranger, Administrative Agent and Lenders may rely on such opinion
as though it were addressed to them.

         P. FEES. Company shall have paid to Arranger and Administrative  Agent,
for distribution (as appropriate) to Arranger, Administrative Agent and Lenders,
the fees payable on the  Restatement  Effective  Date  referred to in subsection
2.3B.

         Q. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;  PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS.  Company
shall  have  delivered  to  Arranger  and  Administrative   Agent  an  Officers'
Certificate,  in form and substance  satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative
Agent, to the effect that the representations and warranties in Section 5 hereof
are  true,  correct  and  complete  in all  


                                       88
<PAGE>

material respects on and as of the Restatement Effective Date to the same extent
as though made on and as of that date (or,  to the extent  such  representations
and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, that such representations
and warranties were true,  correct and complete in all material  respects on and
as of such earlier date) and that Company  shall have  performed in all material
respects all  agreements  and  satisfied  all  conditions  which this  Agreement
provides  shall be performed  or  satisfied  by it on or before the  Restatement
Effective  Date  except as  otherwise  disclosed  to and agreed to in writing by
Arranger, Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders.

         R. COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS. All corporate and other proceedings taken
or to be taken in connection with the transactions  contemplated  hereby and all
documents  incidental  thereto not previously found acceptable by Administrative
Agent,  acting  on behalf of  Lenders,  or  Arranger  and its  counsel  shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and Arranger and such
counsel, and Administrative Agent, Arranger and such counsel shall have received
all  such  counterpart  originals  or  certified  copies  of such  documents  as
Administrative Agent or Arranger may reasonably request.

         S. BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. Administrative Agent shall have received
a Borrowing  Base  Certificate  dated as of July 31,  1998,  in form,  scope and
substance satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent.

         T. CASH  MANAGEMENT  SYSTEM.  Administrative  Agent shall have received
evidence  satisfactory to it that Company and its Subsidiaries  have established
and  maintain  a  cash  management  system  in  form  and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and in accordance with subsection 6.11.

         U.  COLLATERAL  ACCESS  AGREEMENTS.  On or  prior  to  the  Restatement
Effective Date, Anagram and each applicable Subsidiary Guarantor shall have used
its  reasonable  good  faith  efforts to  obtain,  in the case of any  Leasehold
Property or any real property in which Anagram or any of its  Subsidiaries  owns
or holds a fee interest and which is subject to a mortgage held by a third-party
mortgagee  holding  inventory or equipment  with an aggregate  fair market value
exceeding $500,000,  a Collateral Access Agreement with respect thereto, in each
case  in  form  and   substance   reasonably   satisfactory   to  Arranger   and
Administrative  Agent;  provided that, to the extent any such Collateral  Access
Agreement is not so obtained on or before the  Restatement  Effective Date, upon
the reasonable request of Collateral Agent,  Company hereby covenants and agrees
to cause the applicable  Subsidiary  Guarantor to continue to use its reasonable
good faith  efforts to obtain such  Collateral  Access  Agreement as promptly as
practicable after the Restatement Effective Date.

         V. AXEL CREDIT AGREEMENT.  Arranger and Administrative Agent shall each
have received a fully executed or conformed  copy of the AXEL Credit  Agreement,
as amended and restated in connection with the Anagram Acquisition, satisfactory
in form and  substance to Arranger  and  Administrative  Agent.  The AXEL Credit
Agreement  shall be in full force 


                                       89
<PAGE>

and effect and the  conditions  to advances of the AXELs  thereunder  shall have
been satisfied or waived by the AXEL Lenders.

         U. NO EVENT OF DEFAULT.  Company shall have delivered to Administrative
Agent  an  Officer's   Certificate,   in  form  and  substance  satisfactory  to
Administrative  Agent, to the effect that,  immediately prior to the Restatement
Effective Date, no event has occurred and is continuing that would constitute an
Event of Default or Potential Event of Default under the Existing Revolving Loan
Credit Agreement or the AXEL Credit Agreement.


4.2      CONDITIONS TO ALL REVOLVING LOANS.

         The obligations of Lenders to make Revolving Loans on each Funding Date
are subject to the following further conditions precedent:

         A.       Administrative  Agent shall have received  before that Funding
Date,  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  subsection  2.1B, an originally
executed  Notice  of  Borrowing,  in each case  signed  by the  chief  executive
officer, the chief financial officer or the treasurer or corporate controller of
Company  or by  any  executive  officer  of  Company  designated  by  any of the
above-described  officers  on  behalf  of  Company  in a  writing  delivered  to
Administrative Agent.

         B.       As of that Funding Date:

                  (i) The representations and warranties contained herein and in
         the other Revolving Loan Documents shall be true,  correct and complete
         in all  material  respects on and as of that  Funding  Date to the same
         extent as though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such
         representations and warranties  specifically relate to an earlier date,
         in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true,
         correct and complete in all material respects on and as of such earlier
         date;

                  (ii) No event shall have  occurred and be  continuing or would
         result from the  consummation  of the  borrowing  contemplated  by such
         Notice of  Borrowing  that  would  constitute  an Event of Default or a
         Potential Event of Default;

                  (iii) Each Loan Party  shall have  performed  in all  material
         respects  all  agreements  and  satisfied  all  conditions  which  this
         Agreement  provides  shall be performed or satisfied by it on or before
         that Funding Date;

                  (iv) No order, judgment or decree of any court,  arbitrator or
         governmental  authority  shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Lender
         from making the Revolving Loans to be made by it on that Funding Date;

                                       90
<PAGE>

                  (v)  The  making  of the  Revolving  Loans  requested  on such
         Funding  Date  shall  not  violate  any  law  including  Regulation  G,
         Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of
         the Federal Reserve System; and

                  (vi)  There  shall  not be  pending  or, to the  knowledge  of
         Company,   threatened,  any  action,  suit,  proceeding,   governmental
         investigation or arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries that
         has not been disclosed by Company in writing pursuant to subsection 5.6
         or 6.1(x)  prior to the making of the last  preceding  Revolving  Loans
         (or, in the case of the initial Revolving Loans, prior to the execution
         of this Agreement), and there shall have occurred no development not so
         disclosed  in  any  such   action,   suit,   proceeding,   governmental
         investigation  or arbitration so disclosed,  that, in either event,  in
         the opinion of Administrative  Agent or of Requisite Lenders,  would be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;  and no injunction or other
         restraining  order  shall  have been  issued and no hearing to cause an
         injunction or other  restraining order to be issued shall be pending or
         noticed  with  respect to any  action,  suit or  proceeding  seeking to
         enjoin or  otherwise  prevent  the  consummation  of, or to recover any
         damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions  contemplated
         by this Agreement or the making of Revolving Loans hereunder.

4.3      CONDITIONS TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         The  issuance  of any Letter of Credit  hereunder  (whether  or not the
applicable  Issuing  Lender is  obligated  to issue  such  Letter of  Credit) is
subject to the following conditions precedent:

                  A. On or before the date of issuance of the initial  Letter of
         Credit  pursuant to this Agreement,  the initial  Revolving Loans shall
         have been made.

                  B. On or before the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit,
         Administrative  Agent  shall  have  received,  in  accordance  with the
         provisions of subsection  3.1B(i),  an  originally  executed  Notice of
         Issuance  of  Letter  of  Credit,  in each  case  signed  by the  chief
         executive  officer,  the chief  financial  officer or the  treasurer or
         corporate  controller of Company or by any executive officer of Company
         designated by any of the above-described  officers on behalf of Company
         in a writing delivered to Administrative Agent, together with all other
         information specified in subsection 3.1B(i) and such other documents or
         information as the applicable  Issuing Lender may reasonably require in
         connection with the issuance of such Letter of Credit.

                  C. On the date of  issuance  of such  Letter  of  Credit,  all
         conditions precedent described in subsection 4.2B shall be satisfied to
         the same  extent as if the  issuance  of such Letter of Credit were the
         making of a  Revolving  Loan and the date of issuance of such Letter of
         Credit were a Funding Date.

                                       91
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 5.
                    COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make (or
maintain,  as the case may be) the Revolving Loans, to induce Issuing Lenders to
issue Letters of Credit and to induce other  Lenders to purchase  participations
therein,  Company  represents  and warrants to each Lender,  on the date of this
Agreement,  on each Funding Date, on the  Restatement  Effective Date and on the
date of issuance of each Letter of Credit,  that the  following  statements  are
true, correct and complete:

5.1      ORGANIZATION, POWERS, QUALIFICATION, GOOD STANDING, BUSINESS AND 
SUBSIDIARIES.

         A.  ORGANIZATION  AND  POWERS.  Each Loan Party is a  corporation  duly
organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of its
jurisdiction of  incorporation as specified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto as it
may be  supplemented  pursuant to subsection  6.1(xvi).  Each Loan Party has all
requisite  corporate power and authority to own and operate its  properties,  to
carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter
into the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  the  Related  Agreements  and the Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement to which it is a party and to carry out the  transactions
contemplated thereby.

         B. QUALIFICATION AND GOOD STANDING.  Each Loan Party is qualified to do
business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located
and  wherever  necessary to carry out its  business  and  operations,  except in
jurisdictions  where the failure to be so qualified or in good  standing has not
had and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         C. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Company and its  Subsidiaries are engaged only
in the businesses permitted to be engaged in pursuant to subsection 7.12.

         D.  SUBSIDIARIES.  All  of  the  Subsidiaries  of  Company  as  of  the
Restatement  Effective Date (after giving effect to the Anagram Acquisition) are
identified  in  Schedule  5.1  annexed  hereto,  as  said  Schedule  5.1  may be
supplemented  from  time  to  time  pursuant  to the  provisions  of  subsection
6.1(xvi). The capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries of Company identified in
Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto (as so  supplemented)  is duly  authorized,  validly
issued,  fully paid and nonassessable and none of such capital stock constitutes
Margin Stock.  Each of the  Subsidiaries  of Company  identified in Schedule 5.1
annexed hereto (as so  supplemented)  is a corporation  duly organized,  validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its respective  jurisdiction  of
incorporation set forth therein, has all requisite corporate power and authority
to own and operate its  properties and to carry on its business as now conducted
and as proposed to be  conducted,  and is  qualified  to do business and in good
standing  in every  jurisdiction  where its  assets  are  located  and  wherever
necessary to carry out its business  and  operations,  in each case except 


                                       92
<PAGE>

where failure to be so qualified or in good standing or a lack of such corporate
power and authority  has not had and could not  reasonably be expected to have a
Material  Adverse  Effect.  Schedule  5.1  annexed  hereto (as so  supplemented)
correctly sets forth, as of the Closing Date, the ownership  interest of Company
and each of its Subsidiaries in each of the  Subsidiaries of Company  identified
therein.

5.2      AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING, ETC.

         A. AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING. The execution,  delivery and performance
of the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  the  Related  Agreements  and  the  Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement  have been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate
action on the part of each Loan Party that is a party thereto.

         B. NO CONFLICT. The execution, delivery and performance by Loan Parties
of the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  the  Related  Agreements  and  the  Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement  to which they are  parties and the  consummation  of the
transactions   contemplated  by  the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,   the  Related
Agreements and the Anagram Acquisition Agreement do not and will not (i) violate
any provision of any law or any  governmental  rule or regulation  applicable to
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any order, judgment or decree
of any court or other  agency of  government  binding  on  Company or any of its
Subsidiaries,  (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any  Contractual  Obligation of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for any breach or default which could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) result in or
require the creation or  imposition  of any Lien upon any of the  properties  or
assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under
any of the Revolving Loan Documents in favor of  Administrative  Agent on behalf
of Lenders),  or (iv) require any  approval of  stockholders  or any approval or
consent of any Person under any Contractual  Obligation of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or
before the  Restatement  Effective  Date and disclosed in writing to Lenders and
such consents the failure of which to receive  could not  reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         C. GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. Except as specified in Schedule 3.9(b) to the
Anagram Acquisition Agreement,  the execution,  delivery and performance by Loan
Parties of the Revolving Loan Documents,  the Related Agreements and the Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement  to which they are  parties and the  consummation  of the
transactions   contemplated  by  the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  such  Related
Agreements and the Anagram Acquisition Agreement do not and will not require any
registration  with,  consent or approval  of, or notice to, or other  action to,
with or by, any federal,  state or other  governmental  authority or  regulatory
body the failure of which to receive could not reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect. Any such required consents, approvals, notices 


                                       93
<PAGE>

or other actions shall have been received,  given or performed,  as the case may
be, on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date.

         D.       BINDING  OBLIGATION.  Each of the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,
the Related  Agreements  and the  Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement  has been duly
executed  and  delivered  by each Loan Party that is a party  thereto and is the
legally  valid and binding  obligation of such Loan Party,  enforceable  against
such  Loan  Party in  accordance  with its  respective  terms,  except as may be
limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws
relating to or limiting  creditors' rights generally or by equitable  principles
relating to enforceability.

         E.       VALID ISSUANCE OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK AND SENIOR SUBORDINATED
NOTES.

                  (i)  Company  Common  Stock.  The Company  Common  Stock to be
         issued in the  Merger  on the  Closing  Date has been duly and  validly
         issued and is fully paid and  nonassessable.  The New Company Shares to
         be issued in partial  consideration  for the Anagram  Acquisition on or
         before the Restatement Effective Date, when issued and delivered,  will
         be  duly  and  validly  issued,   fully  paid  and  nonassessable.   No
         stockholder  of  Company  has or will  have any  preemptive  rights  to
         subscribe for any additional equity Securities of Company. The issuance
         and sale of such Company Common Stock or New Company Shares,  upon such
         issuance and sale, either (a) have been or will have been registered or
         qualified  under  applicable  federal and state  securities laws or (b)
         have been or will be exempt therefrom.

                  (ii) Senior  Subordinated Notes. The Senior Subordinated Notes
         are the legally valid and binding  obligations of Company,  enforceable
         against Company in accordance with their  respective  terms,  except as
         may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
         similar laws relating to or limiting  creditors' rights generally or by
         equitable  principles  relating to  enforceability.  The  subordination
         provisions of the Senior Subordinated Notes will be enforceable against
         the holders  thereof  and the  Revolving  Loans and all other  monetary
         Obligations  hereunder are and will be within the definition of "Senior
         Debt" and  "Designated  Senior Debt" included in such  provisions.  The
         Senior  Subordinated Notes either (a) have been registered or qualified
         under  applicable  federal and state  securities laws or (b) are exempt
         therefrom.

5.3      FINANCIAL CONDITION.

         Company has heretofore  delivered to Lenders, at Lenders' request,  the
following  financial  statements and information:  (i) the audited  consolidated
balance sheets of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as at December 31, 1997 and the
related consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows
of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  for the  Fiscal  Year then  ended,  (ii) the
unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries as at June
30,  1998  and  the  related  unaudited   consolidated   statements  


                                       94
<PAGE>

of income,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries
for the six-months then ended, (iii) the audited  consolidated balance sheets of
Anagram International, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1997 and the
consolidated  statements  of  income,  stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows of
Anagram International,  Inc. and its Subsidiaries for its fiscal year then ended
and (iv) the unaudited  combined and combining balance sheets of Anagram and its
Subsidiaries  as at June  30,  1998 and the  unaudited  combined  and  combining
statements of income of Anagram and its  Subsidiaries  for the  six-months  then
ended.  All such  statements  were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent  basis  throughout the periods  covered  thereby (except as otherwise
indicated therein or in the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement) and fairly present,
in all material  respects,  the financial  position of the entities described in
such  financial  statements  as of such  respective  dates  and the  results  of
operations of the entities described therein for each of the periods then ended,
subject,  in the case of any such  unaudited  financial  statements,  to changes
resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.  Company does not (and did
not immediately  following the funding of the initial  Revolving Loans) have any
Contingent  Obligation,  contingent liability or liability for taxes,  long-term
lease or unusual  forward or long-term  commitment  that is not reflected in the
foregoing  financial  statements or the notes thereto and which in any such case
is  material  in  relation  to the  business,  operations,  properties,  assets,
condition  (financial  or  otherwise)  or  prospects  of  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries (after giving effect to the Anagram Acquisition).

5.4      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.

         Since  December  31,  1997,  no event or change has  occurred  that has
caused or evidences,  either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect.

5.5      TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS; REAL PROPERTY.

         A. TITLE TO PROPERTIES;  LIENS. After giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Anagram Acquisition Agreement to occur on
the Restatement  Effective Date,  except for Permitted  Encumbrances  and Liens,
Company and its  Subsidiaries  have (i) good,  sufficient and legal title to (in
the case of fee interests in real property),  (ii) valid leasehold  interests in
(in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), or (iii) good
title to (in the case of all other personal  property),  all of their respective
properties  and assets  reflected  in the  financial  statements  referred to in
subsection 5.3 or in the most recent financial  statements delivered pursuant to
subsection  6.1  of  the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  Credit  Agreement  or  this
Agreement,  in each case  except for assets  disposed  of since the date of such
financial  statements  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  or as  otherwise
permitted  under  subsection  7.7. All such  properties  and assets are free and
clear of Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances and other Liens permitted under
this Agreement.

         B. REAL PROPERTY. After giving effect to the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement and the Anagram Acquisition  Agreement,  as of the Restatement
Effective  Date,  


                                       95
<PAGE>

Schedule 5.5 annexed hereto  contains a true,  accurate and complete list of (i)
all Fee  Properties  and (ii) all leases,  subleases  or  assignments  of leases
(together  with  all  amendments,   modifications,   supplements,   renewals  or
extensions of any thereof) affecting each Real Property Asset of any Loan Party,
regardless  of  whether  such Loan  Party is the  landlord  or  tenant  (whether
directly or as an assignee or successor in interest) under such lease,  sublease
or assignment.  As of the  Restatement  Effective  Date,  except as specified in
Schedule  5.5  annexed  hereto,  each  agreement  listed in  clause  (ii) of the
immediately  preceding sentence is in full force and effect and Company does not
have  knowledge  of any material  default  that has  occurred and is  continuing
thereunder,  and each such agreement  constitutes  the legally valid and binding
obligation of each applicable Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in
accordance with its terms,  except as may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws  relating to or limiting  creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles.

5.6      LITIGATION; ADVERSE FACTS.

         Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  5.6  annexed  hereto,  there are no
actions,  suits,  proceedings,   arbitrations  or  governmental   investigations
(whether or not purportedly on behalf of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries) at
law or in  equity,  or  before  or by any  federal,  state,  municipal  or other
governmental department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims) that are pending or, to
the knowledge of Company,  threatened against or affecting Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  or any  property of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  and that,
individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material  Adverse Effect.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is in
violation  of  any  applicable   laws  (including   Environmental   Laws)  that,
individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) is subject to or in default with respect to any
final judgments, writs, injunctions,  decrees, rules or regulations of any court
or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental  department,  commission,
board,   bureau,   agency  or  instrumentality,   domestic  or  foreign,   that,
individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

5.7      PAYMENT OF TAXES.

         Except to the extent  permitted  by  subsection  6.3,  all material tax
returns and reports of Company and its Subsidiaries  required to be filed by any
of them have been  timely  filed,  and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be
due and payable and all assessments,  fees and other  governmental  charges upon
Company  and its  Subsidiaries  and upon their  respective  properties,  assets,
income,  businesses and franchises which are due and payable have been paid when
due and payable.  Company knows of no proposed  material tax assessment  against
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  which is not being  actively  contested  by
Company  or  such  Subsidiary  in good  faith  and by  appropriate  proceedings;
provided that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

                                       96
<PAGE>

5.8      PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS; MATERIALLY ADVERSE AGREEMENTS; MATERIAL 
CONTRACTS.

         A.  Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in default in the
performance,  observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations,  covenants or
conditions  contained in any of its  Contractual  Obligations,  and no condition
exists  that,  with the  giving of  notice  or the lapse of time or both,  would
constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of
such default or defaults, if any, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         B.  Neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party to or is
otherwise  subject to any  agreements  or  instruments  or any  charter or other
internal restrictions which, individually or in the aggregate,  could reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         C.  Schedule 5.8 contains a true,  correct and complete list of all the
Material  Contracts  in  effect on the  Restatement  Effective  Date.  Except as
described on Schedule  5.8, all such  Material  Contracts  are in full force and
effect and no defaults  currently exist  thereunder other than any such defaults
or failure to be in force and effect which could not  reasonably  be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.9      GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION.

         Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other
federal or state  statute  or  regulation  which may limit its  ability to incur
Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations
unenforceable.

5.10     SECURITIES ACTIVITIES.

         A. Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged  principally,
or as one of its important  activities,  in the business of extending credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.

         B.  Following  application  of the proceeds of each AXEL under the AXEL
Credit  Agreement and each Revolving Loan, not more than 25% of the value of the
assets  (either  of  Company  only  or of  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated  basis)  subject  to the  provisions  of  subsection  7.2 or 7.7 or
subject to any  restriction  contained in any agreement or  instrument,  between
Company and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender,  relating to Indebtedness
and within the scope of subsection 8.2, will be Margin Stock.

5.11     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

         A. Company, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective ERISA
Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable  provisions and requirements of
ERISA and 


                                       97
<PAGE>

the  regulations and published  interpretations  thereunder with respect to each
Employee  Benefit  Plan,  and have  performed all their  obligations  under each
Employee  Benefit Plan. Each Employee  Benefit Plan which is intended to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code is so qualified.

         B. No ERISA Events have  occurred or are  reasonably  expected to occur
which could  reasonably be expected to result in  liabilities  to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

         C. As of the most  recent  valuation  date for any  Pension  Plan,  the
excess of (1) the actuarial present value (determined on the basis of reasonable
assumptions  employed  by the  independent  actuary  for each  Pension  Plan for
purposes of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA) of
benefit  liabilities  (as defined in Section  4001(a)(16) of ERISA) over (2) the
fair market value of the assets of such  Pension  Plan,  individually  or in the
aggregate for all Pension Plans  (excluding for purposes of such computation any
Pension Plans with respect to which assets exceed benefit liabilities), does not
exceed $5,000,000.

         D. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan for
which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of Company, its
Subsidiaries and their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates for a complete  withdrawal
from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when
aggregated  with such  potential  liability for a complete  withdrawal  from all
Multiemployer Plans, based on information  available pursuant to Section 4221(e)
of ERISA, does not exceed $5,000,000.

5.12     CERTAIN FEES.

         Except as described in the Confidential  Information Memorandum and the
advisory  fee  payable by  Company  to Piper  Jaffray in an amount not to exceed
$700,000,  no broker's or finder's fee or commission has been or will be payable
by  Company  with  respect  to  this  Agreement  or  any  of  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby, and Company hereby indemnifies Lenders against, and agrees
that it will hold Lenders harmless from, any claim,  demand or liability for any
such  broker's  or finder's  fees  alleged to have been  incurred in  connection
herewith or therewith and any expenses (including  reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of counsel)  arising in connection with any such claim,  demand or
liability.

5.13     ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

         Except as set forth in Schedule 5.13 annexed hereto:

                  (i)  neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  nor any of
         their   respective   Facilities  or  operations   are  subject  to  any
         outstanding written order,  consent decree or settlement agreement with
         any Person relating to (a) any Environmental Law, (b) any Environmental
         Claim, or (c) any Hazardous Materials Activity;

                                       98
<PAGE>

                  (ii) neither Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries has received
         any  letter  or  request  for  information  under  Section  104  of the
         Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation,  and Liability Act
         (42 U.S.C. [Section] 9604) or any comparable state law;

                  (iii)  there are and,  to  Company's  knowledge,  have been no
         conditions,  occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which could
         reasonably  be  expected  to form the basis of an  Environmental  Claim
         against Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (iv)  neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  nor,  to
         Company's  knowledge,   any  predecessor  of  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries  has  filed  any  notice  under  any   Environmental   Law
         indicating  past or present  treatment  of  Hazardous  Materials at any
         Facility, and none of Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'  operations
         involves the generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal
         of hazardous  waste,  as defined  under 40 C.F.R.  Parts 260-270 or any
         state equivalent;

                  (v)  compliance  with all  current or  reasonably  foreseeable
         future  requirements  pursuant to or under Environmental Laws will not,
         individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a reasonable  possibility  of
         giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

         Notwithstanding  anything in this subsection  5.13 to the contrary,  no
event or condition  has occurred or is occurring  with respect to Company or any
of its Subsidiaries  relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous
Materials,  or any Hazardous Materials Activity,  including any matter disclosed
on Schedule 5.13 annexed hereto,  which individually or in the aggregate has had
or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.14     EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

         There  is no  strike  or  work  stoppage  in  existence  or  threatened
involving  Company or any of its Subsidiaries  that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.15     SOLVENCY.

         Each Loan Party is and, upon the incurrence of any  Obligations by such
Loan Party on any date on which this representation is made, will be, Solvent.

5.16     MATTERS RELATING TO COLLATERAL.

         A.  CREATION,  PERFECTION  AND  PRIORITY OF LIENS.  The  execution  and
delivery of the  Collateral  Documents by Loan  Parties,  together  with (i) the
actions taken on or prior to the 


                                       99
<PAGE>

date hereof pursuant to subsections 4.1I, 6.8 and 6.9 of the Existing  Revolving
Loan Credit  Agreement and  subsections  4.1I, 6.8 and 6.9 of this Agreement and
(ii) the delivery to Collateral Agent of any Pledged Collateral not delivered to
Collateral  Agent  at the  time of  execution  and  delivery  of the  applicable
Collateral  Document (all of which Pledged Collateral has been so delivered) are
effective  to create in favor of  Collateral  Agent for the  benefit  of Secured
Parties,  as security for the respective Secured  Obligations (as defined in the
applicable  Collateral  Document  in  respect  of any  Collateral),  a valid and
perfected  First  Priority  Lien on all of the  Collateral,  and all filings and
other actions  necessary or desirable to perfect and maintain the perfection and
First  Priority  status of such Liens have been duly made or taken and remain in
full force and  effect,  other than the filing of any UCC  financing  statements
delivered  to  Collateral  Agent for filing (but not yet filed) and the periodic
filing of UCC  continuation  statements in respect of UCC  financing  statements
filed by or on behalf of Collateral Agent.

         B. GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORIZATIONS.  No  authorization,  approval or other
action  by,  and no notice to or filing  with,  any  governmental  authority  or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Loan Party
of the Liens  purported to be created in favor of Collateral  Agent  pursuant to
any of the Collateral  Documents or (ii) the exercise by Collateral Agent of any
rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically granted or
created  pursuant to any of the Collateral  Documents or created or provided for
by applicable law), except for filings or recordings  contemplated by subsection
5.16A and except as may be required,  in connection  with the disposition of any
Pledged  Collateral,  by laws  generally  affecting  the  offering  and  sale of
securities.

         C. ABSENCE OF THIRD-PARTY  FILINGS.  Except such as may have been filed
in favor of Collateral  Agent as contemplated by subsection  5.16A, no effective
UCC financing  statement,  fixture filing or other instrument  similar in effect
covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording
office.

         D. MARGIN REGULATIONS. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
the Collateral  Documents does not violate  Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

         E.  INFORMATION  REGARDING  COLLATERAL.  All  information  supplied  to
Collateral  Agent by or on behalf of any Loan Party  with  respect to any of the
Collateral  (in  each  case  taken as a whole  with  respect  to any  particular
Collateral) is accurate and complete in all material respects.

5.17     RELATED AGREEMENTS.

         A.       DELIVERY  OF  RELATED  AGREEMENTS.   Company has delivered  to
Lenders  complete and correct  copies of each Related  Agreement and the Anagram
Acquisition Agreement and of all exhibits and schedules thereto.

                                      100
<PAGE>

         B.       WARRANTIES OF COMPANY.

                  (i) Except to the extent  otherwise set forth herein or in the
         schedules hereto,  each of the  representations and warranties given by
         Company in the  Recapitalization  Agreement  is true and correct in all
         material  respects as of the Closing Date (or as of any earlier date to
         which such representation and warranty  specifically  relates) and will
         be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (or
         as of such earlier  date,  as the case may be), in each case subject to
         the qualifications  set forth in the schedules to the  Recapitalization
         Agreement.

                  (ii) Except to the extent otherwise set forth herein or in the
         schedules hereto,  each of the  representations and warranties given by
         Company in the Anagram Acquisition Agreement is true and correct in all
         material  respects as of the  Restatement  Effective Date (or as of any
         earlier date to which such  representation  and  warranty  specifically
         relates)  and will be true and correct in all  material  respects as of
         the date hereof (or as of such  earlier  date,  as the case may be), in
         each case subject to the  qualifications  set forth in the schedules to
         the Anagram Acquisition Agreement.

         C. SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding anything in the Recapitalization Agreement
or the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement to the contrary,  (i) the representations
and  warranties of Company set forth in subsection  5.17B(i)  shall,  solely for
purposes of this Agreement,  survive the Closing Date for the benefit of Lenders
and (ii) the  representations  and warranties of Company set forth in subsection
5.17B(ii) shall, solely for purposes of this Agreement,  survive the Restatement
Effective Date for the benefit of Lenders.

5.18     DISCLOSURE.

         No  representation  or warranty  of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
contained in the Confidential  Information Memorandum or in any Loan Document or
in any other document,  certificate or written statement furnished to Lenders by
or on behalf of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  for use in connection  with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains any untrue statement of
a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to Company, in the case
of any document not furnished by it)  necessary in order to make the  statements
contained  herein or therein not  misleading  in light of the  circumstances  in
which the same were made. Any projections  and pro forma  financial  information
contained in such materials are based upon good faith  estimates and assumptions
believed by Company to be reasonable  at the time made,  it being  recognized by
Lenders that such  projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts
and that  actual  results  during  the  period or  periods  covered  by any such
projections may differ from the projected results.  There are no facts known (or
which  should upon the  reasonable  exercise of  diligence  be known) to Company
(other than matters of a general economic  nature) that,  individually or in the
aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect
and 


                                      101
<PAGE>

that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and
statements  furnished  to Lenders for use in  connection  with the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

5.19     AXEL CREDIT AGREEMENT.

         A. Delivery of AXEL Credit Agreement.  Company has delivered to Lenders
complete  and  correct  copies of the AXEL  Credit  Agreement,  as  amended  and
restated as of the Restatement Effective Date, and of all exhibits and schedules
thereto.

         B.  Warranties  of Company.  Except to the extent  otherwise  set forth
herein or in the schedules hereto,  each of the  representations  and warranties
given by Company in the AXEL Credit Agreement, as amended and restated as of the
Restatement  Effective Date, is true and correct in all material  respects as of
the date  hereof (or as of any  earlier  date to which such  representation  and
warranty  specifically  relates)  and will be true and  correct in all  material
respects as of the  Restatement  Effective  Date (or as of such earlier date, as
the case may be), in each case  subject to the  qualifications  set forth in the
schedules to the AXEL Credit Agreement, as so amended and restated.

                                   SECTION 6.
                         COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Company covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Revolving Loan
Commitments hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of
the Revolving Loans and other  Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of
all Letters of Credit,  unless  Requisite  Lenders  shall  otherwise  give prior
written consent, Company shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to perform, all covenants in this Section 6.

6.1      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER REPORTS.

         Company will maintain,  and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain,
a system of accounting  established  and  administered  in accordance with sound
business practices to permit  preparation of financial  statements in conformity
with GAAP. Company will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:

                  (i) Monthly Financials:  as soon as available and in any event
         within 30 days after the end of each month ending after the Restatement
         Effective  Date,  commencing with the calendar month of August 1998 (or
         within  45 days  after  the  end of  each  month  which  ends a  Fiscal
         Quarter),   the   consolidated   balance  sheets  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries  as at the end of such month and the related  consolidated
         statements  of income,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows of Company
         and its  Subsidiaries  for  such  month  and for the  period  from  the
         beginning  of the then  current  Fiscal  Year to the end of such month,
         setting  forth  in each  case in  comparative  form  the  corresponding
         figures for the  corresponding  periods of the previous Fiscal Year and
         the  corresponding  figures  from the  Financial  Plan for the  


                                      102
<PAGE>

         current Fiscal Year, to the extent prepared on a monthly basis,  all in
         reasonable  detail  and  certified  by the chief  financial  officer of
         Company  that  they  fairly  present,  in all  material  respects,  the
         financial  condition  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as at the dates
         indicated and the results of their  operations and their cash flows for
         the  periods  indicated,  subject to changes  resulting  from audit and
         normal year-end adjustments, for such month and for the period from the
         beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such month;

                  (ii)  Quarterly  Financials:  as soon as available  and in any
         event  within  45 days  after  the end of each of  first  three  Fiscal
         Quarters of each year, (a) the  consolidated  balance sheets of Company
         and  its  Subsidiaries  as at the end of such  Fiscal  Quarter  and the
         related  consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders'  equity and
         cash flows of Company and its  Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and
         for the period from the  beginning of the then  current  Fiscal Year to
         the  end of  such  Fiscal  Quarter,  setting  forth  in  each  case  in
         comparative  form  the  corresponding  figures  for  the  corresponding
         periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding  figures from
         the  Financial  Plan for the current  Fiscal  Year,  all in  reasonable
         detail and  certified  by the chief  financial  officer of Company that
         they fairly present, in all material respects,  the financial condition
         of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  as at the dates  indicated  and the
         results  of their  operations  and their  cash  flows  for the  periods
         indicated,  subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end
         adjustments,  and (b) a narrative  report  describing the operations of
         Company and its Subsidiaries in the form of the MD&A, which is prepared
         by the  Company for public  filing for such Fiscal  Quarter and for the
         period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of
         such Fiscal Quarter;

                  (iii)  Year-End  Financials:  as soon as available  and in any
         event  within  90  days  after  the end of each  Fiscal  Year,  (a) the
         consolidated  balance sheets of Company and its  Subsidiaries as at the
         end of such  Fiscal  Year and the related  consolidated  statements  of
         income,  stockholders'  equity  and  cash  flows  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries  for such  Fiscal  Year,  setting  forth  in each  case in
         comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year
         and the  corresponding  figures from the Financial  Plan for the Fiscal
         Year covered by such financial statements, all in reasonable detail and
         certified  by the chief  financial  officer of Company that they fairly
         present,  in all material respects,  the financial condition of Company
         and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their
         operations  and their  cash  flows  for the  periods  indicated,  (b) a
         narrative   report   describing  the  operations  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries in the form prepared for presentation to senior management
         for such Fiscal Year, and (c) a report thereon of independent certified
         public accountants of recognized  national standing selected by Company
         and  satisfactory  to  Administrative  Agent,  which  report  shall  be
         unqualified,  shall  express no doubts about the ability of Company and
         its  Subsidiaries to continue as a going concern,  and shall state that
         such consolidated  financial statements fairly present, in all material
         respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of  Company  and 


                                      103
<PAGE>

         its  Subsidiaries  as at the dates  indicated  and the results of their
         operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity
         with GAAP  applied on a basis  consistent  with prior years  (except as
         otherwise  disclosed  in  such  financial   statements)  and  that  the
         examination by such  accountants in connection  with such  consolidated
         financial  statements  has  been  made  in  accordance  with  generally
         accepted auditing standards;

                  (iv) Officers' and Compliance Certificates: together with each
         delivery  of  financial  statements  of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries
         pursuant  to  subdivisions  (ii)  and  (iii)  above,  (a) an  Officers'
         Certificate of Company stating that the signers have reviewed the terms
         of this  Agreement  and have  made,  or caused to be made  under  their
         supervision,  a review in  reasonable  detail of the  transactions  and
         condition of Company and its Subsidiaries  during the accounting period
         covered  by such  financial  statements  and that such  review  has not
         disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting period,
         and that the signers do not have  knowledge of the  existence as at the
         date of such  Officers'  Certificate,  of any  condition  or event that
         constitutes an Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default,  or, if
         any such  condition or event existed or exists,  specifying  the nature
         and period of existence  thereof and what action Company has taken,  is
         taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;  and (b) a Compliance
         Certificate  demonstrating in reasonable  detail (1) compliance  during
         and  at  the  end  of  the  applicable   accounting  periods  with  the
         restrictions  contained  in  Section  7,  in each  case  to the  extent
         compliance  with such  restrictions is required to be tested at the end
         of the  applicable  accounting  period and (2) with  respect to any Net
         Asset Sale  Proceeds  received  by  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
         during the  second  Fiscal  Quarter  immediately  preceding  the Fiscal
         Quarter in which the applicable  accounting period ends, whether or not
         all or any  portion of such Net Asset Sale  Proceeds  shall have become
         Unreinvested Asset Sale Proceeds;

                  (v) Reconciliation  Statements:  if, as a result of any change
         in  accounting   principles   and  policies  from  those  used  in  the
         preparation  of  the  audited  financial   statements  referred  to  in
         subsection 5.3, the  consolidated  financial  statements of Company and
         its  Subsidiaries  delivered  pursuant to subdivisions  (ii),  (iii) or
         (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 will differ in any material  respect from
         the  consolidated  financial  statements that would have been delivered
         pursuant  to  such  subdivisions  had  no  such  change  in  accounting
         principles  and policies  been made,  then (a) together  with the first
         delivery of financial statements pursuant to subdivision (ii), (iii) or
         (xiii) of this  subsection  6.1  following  such  change,  consolidated
         financial  statements  of  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  for (y) the
         current  Fiscal Year to the  effective  date of such change and (z) the
         two full Fiscal Years  immediately  preceding  the Fiscal Year in which
         such change is made,  in each case  prepared on a pro forma basis as if
         such change had been in effect  during such  periods,  and (b) together
         with each  delivery of  financial  statements  pursuant to  subdivision
         (ii),  (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 following such change,  a
         written  statement of the chief  accounting  officer or chief 


                                      104
<PAGE>

         financial  officer of Company setting forth the differences  (including
         any  differences  that would  affect any  calculations  relating to the
         financial  covenants  set forth in  subsection  7.6)  which  would have
         resulted if such financial  statements had been prepared without giving
         effect to such change;

                  (vi) Accountants'  Certification:  together with each delivery
         of consolidated  financial  statements of Company and its  Subsidiaries
         pursuant  to  subdivision  (iii)  above,  a  written  statement  by the
         independent  certified public accountants giving the report thereon (a)
         stating that their audit examination has included a review of the terms
         of this Agreement and the other Revolving Loan Documents as they relate
         to accounting  matters,  (b) stating whether,  in connection with their
         audit examination,  any condition or event that constitutes an Event of
         Default or Potential  Event of Default has come to their attention and,
         if such a condition  or event has come to their  attention,  specifying
         the  nature  and  period  of  existence  thereof;  provided  that  such
         accountants  shall not be liable  by  reason of any  failure  to obtain
         knowledge  of any such Event of Default or  Potential  Event of Default
         that would not be disclosed  in the course of their audit  examination,
         and (c) stating that based on their audit examination  nothing has come
         to their  attention that causes them to believe either or both that the
         information contained in the certificates  delivered therewith pursuant
         to subdivision  (iv) above is not correct or that the matters set forth
         in the Compliance  Certificates  delivered therewith pursuant to clause
         (b) of subdivision  (iv) above for the  applicable  Fiscal Year are not
         stated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

                  (vii)  Accountants'  Reports:  promptly  upon receipt  thereof
         (unless restricted by applicable professional standards), copies of all
         reports   submitted  to  Company  by   independent   certified   public
         accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit of
         the financial  statements of Company and its Subsidiaries  made by such
         accountants, including any comment letter submitted by such accountants
         to management in connection with their annual audit;

                  (viii) SEC Filings  and Press  Releases:  promptly  upon their
         becoming available,  copies of (a) all financial  statements,  reports,
         notices  and  proxy  statements  sent or made  available  generally  by
         Company to its security  holders or by any Subsidiary of Company to its
         security  holders other than Company or another  Subsidiary of Company,
         (b) all regular and periodic  reports and all  registration  statements
         (other than on Form S-8 or a similar  form) and  prospectuses,  if any,
         filed  by  Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  with  any  securities
         exchange  or  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or  any
         governmental  or  private  regulatory  authority,  and  (c)  all  press
         releases and other  statements  made available  generally by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material  developments
         in the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

                                      105
<PAGE>

                  (ix) Events of  Default,  etc.:  promptly  upon any officer of
         Company  obtaining  knowledge  (a)  of  any  condition  or  event  that
         constitutes  an Event of  Default or  Potential  Event of  Default,  or
         becoming  aware that any Lender  has given any  notice  (other  than to
         Administrative  Agent) or taken  any other  action  with  respect  to a
         claimed  Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default,  (b) that any
         Person has given any notice to  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or
         taken any other  action with  respect to a claimed  default or event or
         condition  of  the  type  referred  to in  subsection  8.2,  (c) of any
         condition  or event that would be required to be disclosed in a current
         report filed by Company with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on
         Form 8-K  (Items 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of such Form as in effect on the date
         hereof)  if  Company  were  required  to file  such  reports  under the
         Exchange Act, or (d) of the  occurrence of any event or change that has
         caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material
         Adverse  Effect,  an Officers'  Certificate  specifying  the nature and
         period of existence of such condition,  event or change,  or specifying
         the notice  given or action  taken by any such Person and the nature of
         such claimed  Event of Default,  Potential  Event of Default,  default,
         event or condition,  and what action  Company has taken,  is taking and
         proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  (x)  Litigation  or Other  Proceedings:  (a) promptly upon any
         officer of Company  obtaining  knowledge of (X) the  institution of, or
         non-frivolous  threat  of,  any  action,   suit,   proceeding  (whether
         administrative,  judicial or otherwise),  governmental investigation or
         arbitration  against or affecting Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
         any  property  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  (collectively,
         "PROCEEDINGS")  not  previously  disclosed  in  writing  by  Company to
         Lenders or (Y) any material  development in any Proceeding that, in any
         case:

                           (1)  if  adversely   determined,   has  a  reasonable
                  possibility of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect; or

                           (2)  seeks  to  enjoin  or   otherwise   prevent  the
                  consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as
                  a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby;

         written notice thereof  together with such other  information as may be
         reasonably  available to Company to enable Lenders and their counsel to
         evaluate such matters; and (b) within twenty days after the end of each
         Fiscal  Quarter,  a schedule of all  Proceedings  involving  an alleged
         liability  of, or claims  against or  affecting,  Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries  equal to or greater than  $500,000,  and  promptly  after
         request  by  Administrative  Agent  such  other  information  as may be
         reasonably requested by Administrative  Agent to enable  Administrative
         Agent and its counsel to evaluate any of such Proceedings;

                  (xi)  ERISA  Events:  promptly  upon  becoming  aware  of  the
         occurrence of or  forthcoming  occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written
         notice specifying the 


                                      106
<PAGE>

         nature thereof,  what action Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of
         their  respective  ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to
         take  with  respect  thereto  and,  when  known,  any  action  taken or
         threatened by the Internal Revenue Service,  the Department of Labor or
         the PBGC with respect thereto;

                  (xii) ERISA Notices: with reasonable promptness, copies of (a)
         each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500
         Series)  filed  by  Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their
         respective  ERISA  Affiliates  with the Internal  Revenue  Service with
         respect to each Pension  Plan;  (b) all notices  received by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an
         ERISA Event;  and (c) copies of such other  documents  or  governmental
         reports  or  filings   relating  to  any   Employee   Benefit  Plan  as
         Administrative Agent shall reasonably request;

                  (xiii)  Financial  Plans:  as soon as  practicable  and in any
         event no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of each Fiscal Year,
         a  consolidated  plan and  financial  forecast for such Fiscal Year and
         each  succeeding  Fiscal Year  through the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment
         Termination   Date  (the  "FINANCIAL  PLAN"  for  such  Fiscal  Years),
         including (a)  forecasted  consolidated  balance  sheets and forecasted
         consolidated  statements  of income and cash  flows of Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  for each  such  Fiscal  Year,  together  with  pro  forma
         Compliance Certificates for each such Fiscal Year and an explanation of
         the  assumptions  on which such  forecasts  are based,  (b)  forecasted
         consolidated  statements  of income and cash  flows of Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  for each month of the first such  Fiscal  Year,  together
         with an  explanation  of the  assumptions  on which such  forecasts are
         based, and (c) such other information and projections as any Lender may
         reasonably request;

                  (xiv)  Insurance:  as soon as practicable  and in any event by
         the last  day of each  Fiscal  Year,  a  report  in form and  substance
         satisfactory to Administrative  Agent outlining all material  insurance
         coverage  maintained  as of the date of such  report by Company and its
         Subsidiaries  and  all  material   insurance  coverage  planned  to  be
         maintained  by  Company  and  its   Subsidiaries   in  the  immediately
         succeeding Fiscal Year;

                  (xv) Board of Directors:  with reasonable promptness,  written
         notice of any change in the Board of Directors of Company;

                  (xvi) New  Subsidiaries:  promptly upon any Person  becoming a
         Subsidiary of Company,  a written  notice setting forth with respect to
         such Person (a) the date on which such Person  became a  Subsidiary  of
         Company  and (b) all of the data  required  to be set forth in Schedule
         5.1 annexed  hereto  with  respect to all  Subsidiaries  of Company (it
         being understood that such written notice shall be deemed to supplement
         Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto for all purposes of this Agreement);

                                      107
<PAGE>

                  (xvii) Material Contracts:  promptly,  and in any event within
         ten Business Days after any Material  Contract of Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries  is  terminated  or amended in a manner that is materially
         adverse to Company or such  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, or any new
         Material Contract is entered into, a written statement  describing such
         event with copies of such material amendments or new contracts,  and an
         explanation of any actions being taken with respect thereto;

                  (xviii) Borrowing Base  Certificate:  As soon as available and
         in any event  within ten Business  Days after the last  Business Day of
         each month ending after the Closing Date, a Borrowing Base  Certificate
         dated as of the last  Business  Day of such  month,  together  with any
         additional  schedules and other information that  Administrative  Agent
         may  reasonably  request  (it being  understood  that (a)  Company,  in
         addition to such monthly Borrowing Base Certificates,  may from time to
         time deliver to Administrative  Agent and Lenders,  on any Business Day
         after the Closing  Date,  a Borrowing  Base  Certificate  dated as of a
         recent  day,   together  with  any   additional   schedules  and  other
         information that Administrative  Agent may reasonably request,  and (b)
         the  most  recent   Borrowing  Base   Certificate   described  in  this
         subdivision  (xix) that is delivered to  Administrative  Agent shall be
         used  in   calculating   the   Borrowing   Base  as  of  any   date  of
         determination); and

                  (xix) Other  Information:  with  reasonable  promptness,  such
         other  information  and data  with  respect  to  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  as from time to time may be  reasonably  requested by any
         Lender.

6.2      CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC.

         Except as permitted under  subsection 7.7, Company will, and will cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to, at all times  preserve and keep in full force and
effect its  corporate  existence and all rights and  franchises  material to its
business;  provided,  however that neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries
shall be  required  to  preserve  any such  right or  franchise  if the Board of
Directors of Company or such Subsidiary  shall  determine that the  preservation
thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous
in any material respect to Company, such Subsidiary or Lenders.

6.3      PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS; TAX CONSOLIDATION.

         A.  Company will, and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, pay all
material taxes,  assessments and other  governmental  charges imposed upon it or
any of its  properties or assets or in respect of any of its income,  businesses
or franchises  before any penalty  accrues  thereon,  and all claims  (including
claims for labor,  services,  materials  and supplies) for sums that have become
due and  payable  and  that by law  have or may  become  a Lien  upon any of its
properties  or  assets,  prior to the time  when any  penalty  or fine  shall be
incurred  with respect  thereto;  provided  that no such charge or claim need be
paid if it is being contested 


                                      108
<PAGE>

in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  promptly  instituted  and diligently
conducted,  so long as (1) such reserve or other appropriate provision,  if any,
as shall be required in  conformity  with GAAP shall have been made therefor and
(2) in the case of a charge or claim which has or may become a Lien  against any
of the Collateral,  such contest  proceedings  conclusively  operate to stay the
sale of any portion of the Collateral to satisfy such charge or claim.

         B.  Company will not,  nor will it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
file or  consent to the filing of any  consolidated  income tax return  with any
Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

6.4      MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES; INSURANCE; APPLICATION OF NET INSURANCE/
         CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS.

         A. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.  Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to,  maintain or cause to be  maintained  in good repair,  working
order and condition,  ordinary wear and tear excepted,  all material  properties
used or useful in the business of Company and its  Subsidiaries  (including  all
Intellectual  Property)  and from time to time will make or cause to be made all
appropriate repairs,  renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure
to maintain such  properties  could not reasonably be expected in any individual
case or in the aggregate to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         B.  INSURANCE.  Company will maintain or cause to be  maintained,  with
financially sound and reputable insurers, such public liability insurance, third
party property damage insurance,  business  interruption  insurance and casualty
insurance  with  respect  to  liabilities,  losses or damage in  respect  of the
assets,  properties  and  businesses  of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  as may
customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by corporations
of established  reputation engaged in similar  businesses,  in each case in such
amounts (giving effect to self-insurance),  with such deductibles, covering such
risks and  otherwise  on such terms and  conditions  as shall be  customary  for
corporations similarly situated in the industry. Without limiting the generality
of the  foregoing,  Company will  maintain or cause to be  maintained  (i) flood
insurance  with  respect  to each  Flood  Hazard  Property  that is located in a
community that  participates  in the National Flood Insurance  Program,  in each
case in compliance with any applicable  regulations of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, and (ii) replacement value casualty insurance on the
Collateral under such policies of insurance,  with such insurance companies,  in
such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times
satisfactory to Administrative  Agent in its commercially  reasonable  judgment.
Each such policy of insurance shall (a) name Collateral Agent for the benefit of
Secured Parties as an additional  insured thereunder as its interests may appear
and (b) in the case of each business interruption and casualty insurance policy,
contain a loss payable clause or endorsement, satisfactory in form and substance
to  Collateral  Agent,  that names  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of Secured
Parties  as the  loss  payee  thereunder  for  any  covered  loss in  excess  of

                                      109
<PAGE>

$1,500,000   and  provides  for  at  least  30  days  prior  written  notice  to
Administrative Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy.

         C.       APPLICATION OF NET INSURANCE/CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS.

                  (i) Business Interruption  Insurance.  Upon receipt by Company
         or any of its  Subsidiaries  of  any  business  interruption  insurance
         proceeds constituting Net Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds, (a) so long
         as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  Company
         or such Subsidiary may retain and apply such Net Insurance/Condemnation
         Proceeds for working capital  purposes,  and (b) if an Event of Default
         shall have  occurred and be  continuing,  Company shall apply an amount
         equal to such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to prepay AXELs under
         the AXEL Credit Agreement and the Revolving Loans (and/or the Revolving
         Loan   Commitments   shall  be  reduced)  as  provided  in   subsection
         2.4A(iii)(b);

                  (ii) Casualty Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. Upon receipt by
         Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of any Net  Insurance/Condemnation
         Proceeds other than from business interruption  insurance,  (a) so long
         as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  Company
         shall, or shall cause one or more of its  Subsidiaries  to, (1) subject
         to clause (iv) below,  promptly and  diligently and in any event within
         six months of receipt apply such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to
         pay or reimburse  the costs of  repairing,  restoring or replacing  the
         assets in  respect of which  such Net  Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds
         were  received or (2) to the extent not so applied or applied  pursuant
         to clause (iv) below  within six months of receipt by Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries,  to prepay the AXELs under the AXEL Credit Agreement
         and the Revolving Loans (and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
         reduced) as provided in subsection 2.4A(iii)(b), and (b) if an Event of
         Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  Company shall apply an
         amount equal to such Net Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds to prepay the
         AXELs under the AXEL Credit  Agreement and the Revolving  Loans (and/or
         the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  shall be  reduced)  as  provided  in
         subsection 2.4A(iii)(b).

                  (iii)  Net   Insurance/Condemnation   Proceeds   Received   by
         Collateral   Agent.  Upon  receipt  by  Collateral  Agent  of  any  Net
         Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds as loss payee, such loss proceeds shall
         be held and applied in accordance  with the terms of the  Intercreditor
         Agreement.

                  (iv) Reinvestment of Insurance  Proceeds.  So long as no Event
         of Default or  Potential  Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be
         continuing,  Company and its  Subsidiaries may reinvest in the business
         of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  up to  $1,000,000  per  year of Net
         Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds  recovered  by  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  provided that such funds are reinvested within six months
         of receipt by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

                                      110
<PAGE>

6.5      INSPECTION RIGHTS; AUDITS OF INVENTORY AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE; LENDER 
         MEETING.

         A.  INSPECTION  RIGHTS.  Company  shall,  and shall  cause  each of its
Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized  representatives designated by any Lender
to  visit  and  inspect  any  of  the  properties  of  Company  or of any of its
Subsidiaries,  to inspect,  copy and take extracts from its and their  financial
and  accounting  records,  and to discuss its and their  affairs,  finances  and
accounts  with  its  and  their  officers  and  independent  public  accountants
(provided  that Company may, if it so chooses,  be present at or  participate in
any such  discussion),  all upon reasonable  notice and at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested.

         B. AUDITS OF INVENTORY  AND ACCOUNTS  RECEIVABLE.  Company  shall,  and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries  to, permit any authorized  representatives
designated  by  Administrative  Agent to  conduct  audits of all  Inventory  and
accounts  receivable of Loan Parties at any time and from time to time after the
Closing Date,  such audit to be in form and substance  reasonably  acceptable to
Administrative  Agent,  all upon reasonable  notice and at such reasonable times
during normal  business hours as may  reasonably be requested,  provided that so
long as no Event of Default shall exist and be continuing  Administrative  Agent
may not conduct more than one such audit in any twelve month period.

         C.  LENDER  MEETING.  Company  will,  upon  the  request  of  Arranger,
Administrative  Agent  or  Requisite  Lenders,   participate  in  a  meeting  of
Administrative  Agent and  Lenders  once  during  each Fiscal Year to be held at
Company's  corporate  offices (or at such other  location as may be agreed to by
Company  and  Administrative  Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by Company
and Administrative Agent.

6.6      COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC.

         Company shall comply,  and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and all
other Persons on or occupying any Facilities to comply, with the requirements of
all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority
(including all Environmental Laws), noncompliance with which could reasonably be
expected to cause, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

6.7      ENVIRONMENTAL  REVIEW  AND  INVESTIGATION,  DISCLOSURE, ETC.; COMPANY'S
         ACTIONS REGARDING  HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS
         AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

         A.  ENVIRONMENTAL   REVIEW  AND  INVESTIGATION.   Company  agrees  that
Administrative  Agent may, from time to time and in its  reasonable  discretion,
(i) retain,  at Company's  expense,  an independent  professional  consultant to
review any environmental audits,  investigations,  analyses and reports relating
to  Hazardous  Materials  prepared by or for  Company  and (ii)  conduct its own
investigation  of any  Facility;  provided  that, in the case of any Facility no
longer owned,  leased,  operated or used by Company or any of its  


                                      111
<PAGE>

Subsidiaries,  Company  shall  only be  obligated  to use  its  good  faith  and
reasonable efforts to obtain permission for Administrative  Agent's professional
consultant  to  conduct an  investigation  of such  Facility.  For  purposes  of
conducting  such  a  review  and/or  investigation,  Company  hereby  grants  to
Administrative Agent and its agents, employees,  consultants and contractors the
right to enter into or onto any Facilities currently owned, leased,  operated or
used by Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  and to perform  such tests on such
property   (including   taking  samples  of  soil,   groundwater  and  suspected
asbestos-containing   materials)  as  are  reasonably  necessary  in  connection
therewith.  Any such  investigation  of any Facility shall be conducted,  unless
otherwise agreed to by Company and Administrative  Agent, during normal business
hours and, to the extent reasonably practicable, shall be conducted so as not to
interfere with the ongoing operations at such Facility or to cause any damage or
loss to any property at such Facility.  Company and Administrative  Agent hereby
acknowledge  and agree that any  report of any  investigation  conducted  at the
request  of  Administrative  Agent  pursuant  to this  subsection  6.7A  will be
obtained and shall be used by Administrative  Agent and Lenders for the purposes
of Lenders' internal credit decisions, to monitor and police the Revolving Loans
and to protect  Lenders'  security  interests,  if any, created by the Revolving
Loan Documents. Administrative Agent agrees to deliver a copy of any such report
to Company with the understanding that Company  acknowledges and agrees that (x)
it will  indemnify and hold harmless  Administrative  Agent and each Lender from
any costs,  losses or  liabilities  relating to Company's  use of or reliance on
such  report,  (y)  neither  Administrative  Agent  nor  any  Lender  makes  any
representation  or warranty  with respect to such report,  and (z) by delivering
such report to Company, neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender is requiring
or  recommending  the  implementation  of  any  suggestions  or  recommendations
contained in such report.

         B.     ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE. Company will deliver to Administrative
Agent and Lenders:

                  (i) Environmental  Audits and Reports.  As soon as practicable
         following  receipt  thereof,   copies  of  all  environmental   audits,
         investigations,  analyses and reports of any kind or character, whether
         prepared  by  personnel  of  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or by
         independent consultants, governmental authorities or any other Persons,
         with respect to  significant  environmental  matters at any Facility or
         with respect to any Environmental Claims;

                  (ii)  Notice  of  Certain  Releases,  Remedial  Actions,  Etc.
         Promptly upon the  occurrence  thereof,  written  notice  describing in
         reasonable detail (a) any Release required to be reported by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries to any federal,  state or local governmental or
         regulatory  agency under any  applicable  Environmental  Laws,  (b) any
         remedial  action  taken by  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any
         other  Person of which  Company  has  knowledge  in response to (1) any
         Hazardous Materials  Activities the existence of which has a reasonable
         possibility  of resulting in one or more  Environmental  Claims having,
         individually or in the aggregate, a 


                                      112
<PAGE>

         Material  Adverse  Effect,  or  (2)  any  Environmental   Claims  that,
         individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a reasonable  possibility  of
         resulting in a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) Company's  discovery of
         any  occurrence or condition on any real  property  adjoining or in the
         vicinity of any  Facility  that  reasonably  could be expected to cause
         such  Facility  or any  part  thereof  to be  subject  to any  material
         restrictions  on  the  ownership,  occupancy,  transferability  or  use
         thereof under any Environmental Laws.

                  (iii) Written Communications  Regarding  Environmental Claims,
         Releases,  Etc. As soon as practicable following the sending or receipt
         thereof,by  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  a copy of any and all
         written  communications  with respect to (a) any  Environmental  Claims
         that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have
         a Material  Adverse Effect,  (b) any Release required to be reported by
         Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to any  federal,  state  or local
         governmental or regulatory  agency, and (c) any request made to Company
         or any of its Subsidiaries for information from any governmental agency
         that suggests such agency is  investigating  whether  Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries  may be  potentially  responsible  for any  Hazardous
         Materials Activity.

                  (iv) Notice of Certain Proposed  Actions Having  Environmental
         Impact.  Prompt written notice  describing in reasonable detail (a) any
         proposed acquisition of stock, assets, or property by Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries  that  could  reasonably  be  expected  to (1) expose
         Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to, or result  in,  Environmental
         Claims that would have,  individually  or in the aggregate,  a Material
         Adverse  Effect or (2)  result in  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries
         failing to maintain in full force and effect all material  Governmental
         Authorizations   required  under  any  Environmental   Laws  for  their
         respective  operations  and (b) any  proposed  action  to be  taken  by
         Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  to modify current  operations in a
         manner that could  reasonably be expected to subject  Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries to any additional  obligations or requirements  under
         any Environmental Laws.

                  (v) Other Information.  With reasonable promptness, such other
         documents  and  information  as from  time to  time  may be  reasonably
         requested by Administrative  Agent in relation to any matters disclosed
         pursuant to this subsection 6.7.

         C.       COMPANY'S ACTIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS  ACTIVITIES,  
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

                  (i)  Remedial   Actions   Relating  to   Hazardous   Materials
         Activities.  Company shall promptly undertake,  and shall cause each of
         its  Subsidiaries  promptly to undertake,  any and all  investigations,
         studies, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or
         other  response  actions  necessary to remove,  remediate,  clean up or
         abate any Hazardous  Materials Activity on, under or about any Facility
         that is in  violation  of any  Environmental  Laws or that  presents  a
         material 


                                      113
<PAGE>

         risk of giving rise to an Environmental  Claim. In the event Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries  undertakes any such action with respect to any
         Hazardous  Materials,  Company or such  Subsidiary  shall  conduct  and
         complete such action in compliance  with all  applicable  Environmental
         Laws and in accordance with the policies,  orders and directives of all
         federal, state and local governmental authorities except when, and only
         to the extent  that,  Company's  or such  Subsidiary's  liability  with
         respect to such Hazardous Materials Activity is being contested in good
         faith by Company or such Subsidiary.

                  (ii)  Actions  with  Respect  to   Environmental   Claims  and
         Violations of  Environmental  Laws.  Company shall  promptly  take, and
         shall  cause each of its  Subsidiaries  promptly  to take,  any and all
         actions necessary to (i) cure any violation of applicable Environmental
         Laws by  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  and  (ii)  make an  appropriate
         response  to any  Environmental  Claim  against  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  and discharge any  obligations  it may have to any Person
         thereunder.

6.8      EXECUTION  OF  SUBSIDIARY  GUARANTY  AND  PERSONAL  PROPERTY COLLATERAL
         DOCUMENTS BY CERTAIN  SUBSIDIARIES AND FUTURE SUBSIDIARIES

         A. EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY  GUARANTY AND PERSONAL  PROPERTY  COLLATERAL
DOCUMENTS. In the event that any Domestic Subsidiary existing on the Restatement
Effective  Date  that  has  not  previously  executed  the  Subsidiary  Guaranty
hereafter  owns or acquires  assets with an aggregate fair market value (without
netting  such fair  market  value  against  any  liability  of such  Subsidiary)
exceeding $500,000,  or in the event that any Person becomes a Material Domestic
Subsidiary after the date hereof,  Company will promptly notify Collateral Agent
of that fact and cause such  Subsidiary  to execute  and  deliver to  Collateral
Agent a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty and a Subsidiary Pledge Agreement
and a Subsidiary  Security  Agreement  and to take all such further  actions and
execute all such further documents and instruments (including actions, documents
and  instruments  comparable to those  described in  subsection  4.1H) as may be
necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral  Agent,  desirable to create in favor
of Collateral  Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties,  a valid and perfected
First  Priority  Lien on all of the personal and mixed  property  assets of such
Subsidiary described in the applicable forms of Collateral Documents.

         B. SUBSIDIARY  CHARTER  DOCUMENTS,  LEGAL OPINIONS,  ETC. Company shall
deliver to Collateral  Agent,  together with such Revolving Loan Documents,  (i)
certified copies of such Subsidiary's  Certificate or Articles of Incorporation,
together  with a good  standing  certificate  from the Secretary of State of the
jurisdiction of its  incorporation  and each other state in which such Person is
qualified as a foreign  corporation to do business and, to the extent  generally
available, a certificate or other evidence of good standing as to payment of any
applicable  franchise or similar taxes from the appropriate  taxing authority of
each of such  jurisdictions,  each to be  dated a  recent  date  prior  to their
delivery to Collateral Agent, (ii) a copy of such Subsidiary's Bylaws, certified
by its corporate  secretary or an assistant  


                                      114
<PAGE>

secretary as of a recent date prior to their delivery to Collateral Agent, (iii)
a  certificate  executed by the  secretary  or an  assistant  secretary  of such
Subsidiary  as to (a) the fact  that the  attached  resolutions  of the Board of
Directors of such Subsidiary  approving and authorizing the execution,  delivery
and  performance  of such  Revolving Loan Documents are in full force and effect
and have not been modified or amended and (b) the  incumbency  and signatures of
the officers of such  Subsidiary  executing such Revolving Loan  Documents,  and
(iv) a favorable  opinion of counsel to such  Subsidiary,  in form and substance
satisfactory to Collateral Agent and its counsel, as to (a) the due organization
and good standing of such Subsidiary,  (b) the due authorization,  execution and
delivery  by  such  Subsidiary  of  such  Revolving  Loan  Documents,   (c)  the
enforceability  of such Revolving Loan Documents  against such  Subsidiary,  (d)
such other matters (including matters relating to the creation and perfection of
Liens in any Collateral pursuant to such Revolving Loan Documents) as Collateral
Agent may reasonably  request,  all of the foregoing to be  satisfactory in form
and substance to Administrative Agent and its counsel.

         C. FOREIGN  SUBSIDIARY  LOAN  DOCUMENTS.  In the event that any Foreign
Subsidiary existing on the Restatement Effective Date whose shares have not been
pledged  pursuant to an Auxiliary  Pledge Agreement owns or acquires assets with
an aggregate fair market value  (without  netting such fair market value against
any liability of such Subsidiary) exceeding $1,500,000, or in the event that any
person  becomes a Foreign  Subsidiary  which owns assets with an aggregate  fair
market value  (without  netting such fair market value  against any liability of
such Subsidiary) exceeding  $1,500,000,  Company will promptly notify Collateral
Agent of that fact and  shall or cause  the  applicable  subsidiary  which  owns
equity in such Foreign  Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Collateral Agent an
Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreement in form and  substance  satisfactory  to Collateral
Agent; to take all such further  actions and execute such further  documents and
instruments  as  may be  necessary  or,  in  the  opinion  of  Collateral  Agent
reasonably desirable,  to perfect a Lien on the equity interests of such Foreign
Subsidiary for the benefit of Secured Parties and to deliver to Collateral Agent
an  opinion  of  counsel  (which  counsel  shall  be  reasonably  acceptable  to
Collateral  Agent) as to the  enforceability  of the Auxiliary  Pledge Agreement
under the laws of such Foreign  Subsidiary's  jurisdiction of  organization  and
such other matters as Collateral Agent may reasonably  request  (including as to
the perfection of liens on such equity interests).

         D. If at any time JCS Realty acquires any personal property assets with
an aggregate fair market value  (without  netting such fair market value against
any liability of JCS Realty) in excess of $500,000, Company will promptly notify
Collateral  Agent of that fact and cause JCS Realty to execute  and  deliver all
documents  and to take all such further  actions as may be necessary  or, in the
opinion of Collateral  Agent,  desirable to create in favor of Collateral Agent,
for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid and perfected First Priority Lien on
such property in all relevant jurisdictions.

                                      115
<PAGE>

6.9      CONFORMING LEASEHOLD INTERESTS; MATTERS RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY 
         COLLATERAL

         A.  CONFORMING  LEASEHOLD  INTERESTS.  From and after  the  Restatement
Effective  Date,  if Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  acquires any Leasehold
Property,  Company shall,  or shall cause such Subsidiary to, use its reasonable
and  good  faith  efforts  (without  requiring  Company  or such  Subsidiary  to
relinquish  any material  rights or incur any material  obligations or to expend
more  than a  nominal  amount of money  over and  above  the  reimbursement,  if
required, of the Landlord's reasonable out-of-pocket costs, including attorneys'
fees) to cause such Leasehold Property to be a Conforming Leasehold Interest.

         B. MORTGAGES,  ETC. From and after the  Restatement  Effective Date, in
the event that (i) Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor acquires any fee interest
in real property or any Material  Leasehold  Property,  (ii) with respect to any
Material  Leasehold  Property or any real  property  in which  Company has a fee
interest in on or prior to the  Restatement  Effective  Date, any first priority
mortgage existing on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date on such property
is removed or (iii) at the time any Person  (including  Eden  Prairie  Holdings)
becomes a  Subsidiary  Guarantor,  such Person owns or holds any fee interest in
real property or any Material Leasehold Property, in all cases excluding (A) any
such Real Property Asset the  encumbrancing of which requires the consent of any
applicable  lessor or (in the case of clause (iii) above)  then-existing  senior
lienholder,  where  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  are  unable to  obtain  such
lessor's  or  senior  lienholder's  consent  and  (B) the  Anagram  Headquarters
Facility  in the event (a) the  mortgage  recording  tax payable in respect of a
Mortgage  thereon  would be based on an amount  greater  than the amount of Eden
Prairie Holdings' Additional Guarantor's Obligations under and as defined in the
Subsidiary  Guaranty,  or (b) in the opinion of counsel  (which counsel shall be
reasonably  satisfactory to Collateral  Agent) in the state in which the Anagram
Headquarters  Facility  is  located,  there is a  reasonable  likelihood  that a
mortgage to secure  Eden  Prairie  Holdings'  obligations  under the  Subsidiary
Guaranty in the form  requested by the  Collateral  Agent would not be valid and
enforceable in the applicable jurisdictions of such state (any such non-excluded
Real  Property  Asset  described in the  foregoing  clause (i),  (ii) or (iii) a
"MORTGAGED  PROPERTY"),  Company or such  Subsidiary  Guarantor  shall  promptly
notify  Collateral  Agent,  and shall deliver upon  Collateral  Agent's  written
request,  as soon as  practicable  after such  Person  acquires  such  Mortgaged
Property or becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, the following:

                  (i) Mortgage.  A fully  executed and  notarized  Mortgage duly
         recorded in all  appropriate  places in all  applicable  jurisdictions,
         encumbering the interest of such Loan Party in such Mortgaged Property;

                  (ii) Opinions of Counsel.  (a) A favorable  opinion of counsel
         to such Loan Party,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to Collateral
         Agent  and its  counsel,  as to the due  authorization,  execution  and
         delivery by such Loan Party of such  Mortgage and such other matters as
         Collateral  Agent  may  reasonably  request,  and  (b) if  required  by
         Collateral  Agent,  an  opinion  of  counsel  (which  counsel  shall be

                                      116
<PAGE>

         reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent) in the state in which such
         Mortgaged  Property is located  with respect to the  enforceability  of
         such Mortgage and such other matters (including any matters governed by
         the laws of such state regarding  personal property security  interests
         in  respect  of any  Collateral)  as  Collateral  Agent may  reasonably
         request, in each case in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
         Collateral Agent;

                  (iii)  Landlord  Consent  and  Estoppel;   Recorded  Leasehold
         Interest. In the case of a Mortgaged Property consisting of a Leasehold
         Property,  (a) if such  Leasehold  Property  is  holding  or will  hold
         inventory or equipment  with an aggregate  fair market value  exceeding
         $500,000,  a Landlord Consent and Estoppel  provided that Company shall
         only be required  to use  reasonable  and good faith  efforts to obtain
         such  Landlord  Consent and Estoppel  and in no event shall  Company be
         obligated to pay any fee, charge or other consideration to any landlord
         in order to obtain such Landlord  Consent and Estoppel,  other than, if
         required,  the landlord's  reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs,  including
         attorneys'  fees  and  (b) if such  Leasehold  Property  is a  Recorded
         Leasehold Interest, evidence to that effect

                  (iv)  Title   Insurance.   (a)  If  reasonably   requested  by
         Collateral  Agent,  an ALTA  mortgagee  title  insurance  policy  or an
         unconditional  commitment  therefor (a "MORTGAGE POLICY") issued by the
         Title  Company with respect to such  Mortgaged  Property,  in an amount
         satisfactory  to Collateral  Agent,  insuring fee simple title to, or a
         valid  leasehold  interest in, such Mortgaged  Property  vested in such
         Loan Party and assuring  Collateral  Agent that such Mortgage creates a
         valid and  enforceable  First Priority  mortgage Lien on such Mortgaged
         Property,  subject  only to, if  available  in the state in which  such
         Mortgaged  Property  is located,  a standard  survey  exception  and to
         Permitted  Encumbrances,  which Mortgage  Policy (1) shall include,  if
         available in the state in which such Mortgaged Property is located,  an
         endorsement  for  mechanics'  liens,  for  future  advances  under this
         Agreement and for any other matters reasonably  requested by Collateral
         Agent and (2) shall  provide for such  affirmative  insurance  and such
         reinsurance  as Collateral  Agent may  reasonably  request,  all of the
         foregoing in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Collateral
         Agent; and (b) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent that such Loan
         Party has (i)  delivered  to the Title  Company  all  certificates  and
         affidavits customarily required by the Title Company in connection with
         the issuance of the Mortgage  Policy and (ii) paid to the Title Company
         or  to  the  appropriate  governmental  authorities  all  expenses  and
         premiums of the Title  Company in  connection  with the issuance of the
         Mortgage Policy and all recording and stamp taxes  (including  mortgage
         recording and intangible  taxes)  payable in connection  with recording
         the Mortgage in the appropriate real estate records;  provided however,
         that Administrative  Agent shall allow for such reasonable revisions to
         the  applicable  mortgage  and shall  otherwise  take such steps as are
         reasonable  and customary to minimize  recording,  mortgage  recording,
         stamp,  documentary and intangible taxes, at Company's cost;  provided,
         further,  that in no event shall such Loan Party be required to pay any
         additional  


                                      117
<PAGE>

         mortgage recording tax after the initial recording of any such Mortgage
         which may be  required  in order to  maintain  the  secured or priority
         status of such Mortgage.

                  (v) Title  Report.  If no  Mortgage  Policy is  required  with
         respect to such Mortgaged Property,  a title report issued by the Title
         Company with respect thereto,  dated not more than 30 days prior to the
         date such  Mortgage  is to be  recorded  and  satisfactory  in form and
         substance to Collateral Agent;

                  (vi) Copies of Documents Relating to Title Exceptions.  Copies
         of all recorded  documents  listed as  exceptions to title or otherwise
         referred to in the Mortgage Policy or title report  delivered  pursuant
         to clause (iv) or (v) above;

                  (vii)  Matters  Relating  to  Flood  Hazard  Properties.   (a)
         Evidence, which may be in the form of a letter from an insurance broker
         or a municipal engineer, as to (1) whether such Mortgaged Property is a
         Flood  Hazard  Property and (2) if so,  whether the  community in which
         such Flood Hazard Property is located is  participating in the National
         Flood  Insurance  Program,  (b) if such  Mortgaged  Property is a Flood
         Hazard Property,  such Loan Party's written  acknowledgement of receipt
         of written  notification  from Collateral Agent (1) that such Mortgaged
         Property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the community
         in which such Flood Hazard Property is located is  participating in the
         National Flood Insurance  Program,  and (c) in the event such Mortgaged
         Property is a Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that
         participates  in the National Flood  Insurance  Program,  evidence that
         Company has  obtained  flood  insurance in respect of such Flood Hazard
         Property to the extent required under the applicable regulations of the
         Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

                  (viii)  Environmental  Audit. If required by Collateral Agent,
         reports  and  other   information,   in  form,   scope  and   substance
         satisfactory  to  Collateral   Agent  and  prepared  by   environmental
         consultants   satisfactory   to  Collateral   Agent,   concerning   any
         environmental  hazards or  liabilities  to which  Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries may be subject with respect to such Mortgaged Property.

         C. REAL ESTATE  APPRAISALS.  Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to, permit an independent  real estate  appraiser  satisfactory to
Collateral  Agent,  upon reasonable  notice, to visit and inspect any Additional
Mortgaged  Property for the purpose of preparing an appraisal of such  Mortgaged
Property  satisfying the requirements of any applicable laws and regulations (in
each case to the extent  required under such laws and  regulations as determined
by Collateral Agent in its discretion).

6.10     INTEREST RATE PROTECTION.

         A.  REVOLVING  LOANS AND  EXISTING  AXELS.  Company  shall at all times
maintain in effect one or more  Interest  Rate  Agreements  with  respect to the
Existing AXELs and the 


                                      118
<PAGE>

Revolving Loans,  each such Interest Rate Agreement to be for a term of not less
than three  years from the  Closing  Date and in form and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to  Administrative  Agent,  which Interest Rate  Agreements  shall
effectively  limit the  Unadjusted  Eurodollar  Rate  Component (as  hereinafter
defined)  of the  interest  costs to Company  (i) with  respect to an  aggregate
notional principal amount of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount
of the Existing  AXELs  outstanding on the Closing Date (based on the assumption
that such notional principal amount was a Eurodollar Rate Loan (as defined under
the AXEL Credit  Agreement)  with an Interest  Period (as defined under the AXEL
Credit Agreement) of three months) to a rate equal to not more than 9% per annum
and (ii) with respect to an aggregate notional principal amount of not less than
25% of the aggregate  principal amount of the Existing AXELs  outstanding on the
Closing Date (based on the assumption that such notional  principal amount was a
Eurodollar  Rate Loan (as  defined  under  the AXEL  Credit  Agreement)  with an
Interest Period (as defined under the AXEL Credit Agreement) of three months) to
a rate equal to not more than 10% per annum.  For  purposes  of this  subsection
6.10, the term  "UNADJUSTED  EURODOLLAR RATE COMPONENT"  means that component of
the interest  costs to Company  under the AXEL Credit  Agreement in respect of a
Eurodollar  Rate  Loan  that is based  upon the rate  obtained  pursuant  to the
definition of Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate under the AXEL Credit Agreement  without
giving effect to the last paragraph thereof.

         B. ADDITIONAL AXELS. At all times after the date which is 45 days after
the  Restatement  Effective  Date,  Company shall maintain in effect one or more
Interest  Rate  Agreements  with  respect  to the  Additional  AXELs,  each such
Interest  Rate  Agreement to be for a term of not less than three years from the
Restatement Effective Date and in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
Administrative Agent, which Interest Rate Agreements shall effectively limit the
Unadjusted  Eurodollar  Rate Component of the interest costs to Company (i) with
respect to an aggregate  notional  principal  amount of not less than 25% of the
aggregate   principal  amount  of  the  Additional  AXELs   outstanding  on  the
Restatement Effective Date (based on the assumption that such notional principal
amount was a Eurodollar  Rate Loan (as defined under the AXEL Credit  Agreement)
with an Interest  Period (as defined  under the AXEL Credit  Agreement) of three
months) to a rate  equal to not more than 9% per annum and (ii) with  respect to
an aggregate  notional  principal  amount of not less than 25% of the  aggregate
principal  amount  of  the  Additional  AXELs  outstanding  on  the  Restatement
Effective Date (based on the assumption that such notional  principal amount was
a  Eurodollar  Rate Loan (as defined  under the AXEL Credit  Agreement)  with an
Interest Period (as defined under the AXEL Credit Agreement) of three months) to
a rate equal to not more than 10% per annum.

6.11     CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

         Company shall at all times  maintain a cash  management  system for the
Loan Parties in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Arranger and
the  Administrative  Agent.  The terms and  conditions  of such cash  management
system shall be as set forth in Schedule 6.11 annexed hereto.  

                                      119
<PAGE>

6.12     TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS.

         If Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  acquires any material  patents,
trademarks or copyrights,  Company shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent of
that fact and, if requested by Administrative Agent, Company shall, or cause the
applicable  Subsidiary to, execute and deliver to Collateral Agent  supplemental
security  agreements  and take such other  actions as the  Collateral  Agent may
reasonably  request to create in favor of Collateral  Agent,  for the benefit of
Secured  Parties,  a valid and  perfected  First  Priority Lien on such patents,
trademarks or copyrights.


                                   SECTION 7.
                          COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Company covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Revolving Loan
Commitments hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of
the Revolving Loans and other  Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of
all Letters of Credit,  unless  Requisite  Lenders  shall  otherwise  give prior
written consent, Company shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to perform, all covenants in this Section 7.

7.1      INDEBTEDNESS.

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly,  create,  incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise become
or remain  directly  or  indirectly  liable with  respect to, any  Indebtedness,
except:

                  (i) Company may become and remain  liable with  respect to the
         Obligations;

                  (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         with respect to Contingent Obligations permitted by subsection 7.4 and,
         upon any matured  obligations  actually arising pursuant  thereto,  the
         Indebtedness   corresponding   to   the   Contingent   Obligations   so
         extinguished;

                  (iii)  Company may become and remain  liable  with  respect to
         Indebtedness  to  any  of  its  wholly-owned   Subsidiaries,   and  any
         wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of Company may become and remain  liable with
         respect to Indebtedness to Company or any other wholly-owned Subsidiary
         of Company;  provided that (a) all such intercompany Indebtedness shall
         be evidenced by promissory notes subject to a first priority  perfected
         pledge in favor of Lenders, (b) all such intercompany Indebtedness owed
         by Company to any of its Subsidiaries shall be subordinated in right of
         payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms
         of the applicable  promissory  notes or an  intercompany  subordination
         agreement,  (c) any  payment by 


                                      120
<PAGE>

         any Subsidiary of Company under any guaranty of the  Obligations  shall
         result  in a pro tanto  reduction  of the  amount  of any  intercompany
         Indebtedness  owed  by  such  Subsidiary  to  Company  or to any of its
         Subsidiaries  for  whose  benefit  such  payment  is made,  and (d) the
         aggregate   principal   amount  of  all  Indebtedness  of  all  Foreign
         Subsidiaries to Company and its Domestic  Subsidiaries shall not exceed
         $2,000,000 at any time outstanding;

                  (iv) Company and its Subsidiaries,  as applicable,  may remain
         liable with respect to  Indebtedness  described in Schedule 7.1 annexed
         hereto;

                  (v)  Company  may  become and remain  liable  with  respect to
         Indebtedness  evidenced by the Senior  Subordinated  Notes in an amount
         not to exceed $110,000,000;

                  (vi) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         with  respect  to  Indebtedness  in an  aggregate  amount not to exceed
         $5,000,000  at any time  outstanding  in respect of (i) purchase  money
         Indebtedness  incurred to finance the purchase price of specific assets
         and  Capital  Leases  so long as,  upon  default,  the  holder  of such
         Indebtedness  may seek  recourse  or payment  against  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  only  through  the return or sale of the assets  financed
         thereby and (ii)  Indebtedness  of a person which becomes a Subsidiary,
         provided such  Indebtedness  is recourse only to such  Subsidiary,  and
         neither Company nor any of its other  Subsidiaries have any obligations
         in respect thereof;

                  (vii)  Company's  Foreign  Subsidiaries  may become and remain
         liable  with  respect to  Indebtedness  in an  aggregate  amount not to
         exceed $2,000,000  outstanding at any time under any overdraft facility
         with a foreign bank used to fund working  capital  obligations  of such
         Foreign Subsidiary;

                  (viii)  Company  may become and remain  liable for  additional
         unsecured  subordinated  Indebtedness with substantially the same terms
         as the  Subordinated  Notes,  the  net  proceeds  of  which  additional
         subordinated  Indebtedness  are used solely to fund Permitted  Business
         Acquisitions;  provided that (a) no Event of Default or Potential Event
         of Default shall exist and be continuing at the time of the  incurrence
         thereof,  (b) the  aggregate  amount  of such  additional  subordinated
         Indebtedness shall not exceed  $90,000,000,  (c) after giving effect to
         the   Permitted   Business   Acquisition   being   financed  with  such
         Indebtedness (and the incurrence of such Indebtedness), Company and its
         Subsidiaries  are in  compliance  with the  financial  covenants  under
         subsection  7.6 on a Pro Forma Basis and (d) Company  shall  deliver to
         Administrative  Agent  at least 10 days  prior  to such  incurrence  an
         Officer's  Certificate  certifying  the  matters  set forth in  clauses
         (a)-(c) above.

                  (ix) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         for  any   Indebtedness   replacing  or  refinancing  any  Indebtedness
         permitted  under  clauses  (iv),  


                                      121
<PAGE>

         (vi),  (vii),  (viii) or (xi) of this  subsection 7.1 provided that (a)
         the principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the principal
         amount of the  Indebtedness  being  refinanced  or  replaced,  (b) such
         Indebtedness  has a final  maturity on or later than the final maturity
         of the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced and a weighted average
         life to maturity equal to or greater than the weighted  average life to
         maturity of the  Indebtedness  being  refinanced  or replaced,  (c) the
         interest  rate (or,  where  applicable,  interest rate margin) and fees
         applicable to such  Indebtedness is not higher than those applicable to
         the  Indebtedness  being  refinanced  or replaced,  (d) the  covenants,
         defaults  and  prepayment  provisions,  taken as a whole,  are not more
         burdensome  or  restrictive  on the Company and its  Subsidiaries  than
         those applicable to the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced,  (e)
         such  Indebtedness is secured only by Liens permitted under Section 7.2
         for  the   Indebtedness   being   refinanced  or  replaced;   (f)  such
         Indebtedness is incurred by Company or the Restricted Subsidiary who is
         the obligor on the Indebtedness  being  refinanced or replaced,  (g) if
         the  Indebtedness  being  refinanced or replaced is subordinated to the
         Obligations,  such  Indebtedness  is subordinated to the Obligations on
         terms not less  favorable to the Lenders than those  applicable  to the
         Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced, and (h) without limiting the
         generality of the foregoing clauses (a)-(g), any Indebtedness  incurred
         to replace or refinance any Indebtedness  permitted under clause (viii)
         of this subsection 7.1 shall be unsecured and shall have  substantially
         the same terms as the Indebtedness so replaced or refinanced;

                  (x) Company  may become and remain  liable for AXELs under the
         AXEL Credit  Agreement in an aggregate  principal  amount not to exceed
         $157,000,000  at any time (reduced by any principal  payments  actually
         made thereon); and

                  (xi) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         with respect to other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not
         to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

7.2      LIENS AND RELATED MATTERS.

         A. PROHIBITION ON LIENS. Company shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,  create, incur, assume or permit to
exist  any  Lien on or  with  respect  to any  property  or  asset  of any  kind
(including   any  document  or  instrument  in  respect  of  goods  or  accounts
receivable)  of  Company  or any of  its  Subsidiaries,  whether  now  owned  or
hereafter  acquired,  or any income or profits therefrom,  or file or permit the
filing  of, or permit to remain in  effect,  any  financing  statement  or other
similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property,  asset,  income or
profits  under the  Uniform  Commercial  Code of any State or under any  similar
recording or notice statute, except:

                  (i) Permitted Encumbrances;

                                      122
<PAGE>

                  (ii)  Liens  granted  pursuant  to  the  Collateral  Documents
         securing  the   Obligations   and   obligations   of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries under the AXEL Loan Documents;

                  (iii) Liens described in Schedule 7.2 annexed hereto;

                  (iv)  Indebtedness  incurred under  subsection  7.1(vi) may be
         secured by Liens on assets acquired or financed  through the incurrence
         of such Indebtedness or on the assets of the newly acquired Subsidiary,
         provided that such Indebtedness was not created in contemplation of the
         acquisition of such Subsidiary by Company or one of its Subsidiaries;

                  (v) Other Liens securing  Indebtedness in an aggregate  amount
         not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

         B.  EQUITABLE  LIEN IN  FAVOR  OF  LENDERS.  If  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  shall  create or assume  any Lien  upon any of its  properties  or
assets,  whether now owned or hereafter  acquired,  other than Liens excepted by
the  provisions of subsection  7.2A, it shall make or cause to be made effective
provision  whereby  the  Obligations  will be secured by such Lien  equally  and
ratably with any and all other Indebtedness  secured thereby as long as any such
Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided that,  notwithstanding the foregoing,
this  covenant  shall not be construed as a consent by Requisite  Lenders to the
creation or  assumption  of any such Lien not  permitted  by the  provisions  of
subsection 7.2A.

         C. NO  FURTHER  NEGATIVE  PLEDGES.  Except  with  respect  to  specific
property  encumbered to secure payment of particular  Indebtedness or to be sold
pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to an Asset Sale, neither Company
nor any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  enter into any  agreement  (other  than the
Senior  Subordinated Note Indenture or any other agreement  prohibiting only the
creation  of  Liens  securing  Subordinated  Indebtedness  and the  AXEL  Credit
Agreement)  prohibiting  the creation or  assumption of any Lien upon any of its
properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

         D. NO  RESTRICTIONS  ON  SUBSIDIARY  DISTRIBUTIONS  TO COMPANY OR OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES. Except as provided herein or in the AXEL Credit Agreement, Company
will not, and will not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  create or otherwise
cause or suffer to exist or  become  effective  any  consensual  encumbrance  or
restriction  of any  kind  on the  ability  of any  such  Subsidiary  to (i) pay
dividends or make any other  distributions on any of such  Subsidiary's  capital
stock owned by Company or any other Subsidiary of Company,  (ii) repay or prepay
any  Indebtedness  owed by such Subsidiary to Company or any other Subsidiary of
Company,  (iii) make loans or  advances  to Company or any other  Subsidiary  of
Company,  or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to Company or any other
Subsidiary of Company.

                                      123
<PAGE>

7.3      INVESTMENTS; JOINT VENTURES.

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly,  make or own any Investment in any Person, including any
Joint Venture, except:

                  (i) Company and its  Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
         in Cash Equivalents;

                  (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make intercompany  loans
         to the extent permitted under subsection 7.1(iii);

                  (iii)  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  may  make  Consolidated
         Capital Expenditures permitted by subsection 7.8;

                  (iv)  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  may  continue to own the
         Investments owned by them and described in Schedule 7.3 annexed hereto;

                  (v) Company and its wholly  owned  Domestic  Subsidiaries  may
         make and own investments in other wholly owned Domestic Subsidiaries;

                  (vi) Company and its wholly owned  Domestic  Subsidiaries  may
         make  and  own  Investments  in  Persons  that,  as a  result  of  such
         Investments,  become additional wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiaries,  to
         the extent such Investments are permitted under subsections 7.7(vi) and
         7.7(vii); provided that Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries
         to,  comply  with  the  requirements  of  subsections  6.8 and 6.9 with
         respect to each such additional Domestic Subsidiaries;

                  (vii) Company and its wholly owned Domestic  Subsidiaries  may
         make additional  Investments in their respective Foreign  Subsidiaries;
         provided  that  (a) the  amount  of all such  Investments  constituting
         equity  Investments does not exceed $7,000,000 in the aggregate for all
         such Investments  since the Closing Date and (b) the amount of all such
         Investments  constituting  loans or advances does not exceed the amount
         permitted under subsection 7.1(iii);

                  (viii)  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  may make and own other
         Investments  in  an  aggregate   amount  not  to  exceed  at  any  time
         $7,000,000.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default shall exist and be continuing,  Company and its Subsidiaries may make
and hold investments  funded solely with the proceeds of any issuance of Company
Common Stock in a private issuance after the Closing Date.

7.4      CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS.

                                      124
<PAGE>

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or  indirectly,  create or become or remain  liable with respect to any
Contingent Obligation, except:

                  (i)  Subsidiaries of Company may become and remain liable with
         respect  to  Contingent   Obligations  in  respect  of  the  Subsidiary
         Guaranty;

                  (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         in respect of obligations under any Hedge Agreements;

                  (iii)  Company may become and remain  liable  with  respect to
         Contingent Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit; Company and its
         Domestic  Subsidiaries  may become and remain  liable  with  respect to
         Contingent Obligations in respect of other Commercial Letters of Credit
         in an  aggregate  amount  not to  exceed  at any  time  $3,000,000  and
         Contingent Obligations in respect of other Standby Letters of Credit in
         an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time  $2,000,000;  and Foreign
         Subsidiaries  may become and remain  liable with respect to  Contingent
         Obligations in respect of other  Commercial  Letters of Credit obtained
         in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed
         at any time $2,000,000;

                  (iv) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         with  respect  to  Contingent   Obligations  in  respect  of  customary
         indemnification,  purchase  price  adjustment  and  contingent  earnout
         obligations  incurred in connection  with Asset Sales or other sales or
         purchases  of  assets,  provided  that  the  aggregate  amount  of  all
         obligations  of Company  and its  Subsidiaries  in respect of  purchase
         price adjustments and contingent  earnouts may not exceed $5,000,000 at
         any time;

                  (v) Company and its  Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         with respect to Contingent Obligations under guarantees in the ordinary
         course  of  business  of  the  obligations  of  suppliers,   customers,
         franchisees  and  licensees  of  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  in an
         aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $1,000,000;

                  (vi) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
         with respect to Contingent  Obligations in respect of any  Indebtedness
         of Company or any of its Subsidiaries permitted by subsection 7.1;

                  (vii) Company and its Subsidiaries,  as applicable, may remain
         liable with respect to Contingent Obligations described in Schedule 7.4
         annexed hereto; and

                  (viii)  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  may  become and remain
         liable with respect to other Contingent Obligations;  provided that the
         maximum aggregate  liability,  contingent or otherwise,  of Company and
         its Subsidiaries in respect of all such Contingent Obligations shall at
         no time exceed $5,000,000.

                                      125
<PAGE>

7.5      RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS.

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly,  declare,  order, pay, make or set apart any sum for any
Restricted  Junior  Payment;  provided  that so long as no Event of  Default  or
Potential  Event of Default shall then exist and be  continuing  Company may (i)
make  regularly  scheduled  payments of interest in respect of any  Subordinated
Indebtedness  in accordance  with the terms of, and only to the extent  required
by, and subject to the subordination  provisions  contained in, the indenture or
other agreement pursuant to which such Subordinated  Indebtedness was issued, as
such indenture or other agreement may be amended from time to time to the extent
permitted  under  subsection  7.15B and (ii)  repurchase  stock and options from
officers,   directors  and  employees  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the
Stockholders'  Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed (i) $5,000,000 per
year in the case of any then current or former  chief  executive  officer,  (ii)
$2,500,000  per  year  in the  aggregate  in the  case  of all  other  officers,
directors  and  employees  and (iii)  $10,000,000  in the aggregate for all such
Persons after the Closing Date.

7.6      FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

         A. MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE  COVERAGE  RATIO.  Company shall not permit the
ratio of (i) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to (ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for
any four-Fiscal  Quarter period ending on any of the dates set forth below to be
less than the correlative ratio indicated:














                                      126
<PAGE>

               =============================== ==============================
                                                          MINIMUM
                           PERIOD                      FIXED CHARGE
                           ENDING                     COVERAGE RATIO
               =============================== ==============================
               September 30, 1998                                  1.00:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               December 31, 1998                                   1.00:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               March 31, 1999                                      1.00:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               June 30, 1999                                       1.00:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               September 30, 1999                                  1.00:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               December 31, 1999                                   1.00:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               March 31, 2000                                      1.10:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               June 30, 2000                                       1.10:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               September 30, 2000                                  1.10:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               December 31, 2000                                   1.10:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               March 31, 2001                                      1.15:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               June 30, 2001                                       1.15:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               September 30, 2001                                  1.15:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               December 31, 2001                                   1.15:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               March 31, 2002                                      1.20:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               June 30, 2002                                       1.20:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               September 30, 2002                                  1.20:1.00
               ------------------------------- ------------------------------
               December 31, 2002                                   1.20:1.00
               =============================== ==============================

         B.  MINIMUM  CONSOLIDATED  ADJUSTED  EBITDA.  Company  shall not permit
Consolidated  Adjusted  EBITDA for any four Fiscal  Quarter period ending on the
dates set forth below to be less than the correlative amount indicated:








                                      127
<PAGE>

                ============================== =============================
                                                         MINIMUM
                           PERIOD                 CONSOLIDATED ADJUSTED
                           ENDING                         EBITDA
                ============================== =============================
                September 30, 1998                               41,735,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 1998                                45,560,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 1999                                   46,750,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 1999                                    47,090,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 1999                               49,300,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 1999                                52,360,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 2000                                   53,520,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 2000                                    54,680,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 2000                               55,840,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 2000                                57,000,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 2001                                   58,410,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 2001                                    59,825,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 2001                               61,235,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 2001                                62,645,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 2002                                   64,110,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 2002                                    65,575,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 2002                               67,040,000
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 2002                                68,510,000
                ============================== =============================



                                      128
<PAGE>

         C.   CONSOLIDATED   LEVERAGE  RATIO.   Company  shall  not  permit  the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any four Fiscal Quarter period
ending  on any of the dates set forth  below to  exceed  the  correlative  ratio
indicated:


                ============================== =============================
                                                         MAXIMUM
                           PERIOD                  DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO
                           ENDING
                ============================== =============================
                September 30, 1998                      6.60:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 1998                       6.40:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 1999                          6.20:1:00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 1999                           6.00:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 1999                      5.80:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 1999                       5.50:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 2000                          5.40:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 2000                           5.25:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 2000                      5.10:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 2000                       5.00:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 2001                          4.85:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 2001                           4.70:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 2001                      4.55:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 2001                       4.40:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                March 31, 2002                          4.20:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                June 30, 2002                           4.10:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                September 30, 2002                      3.90:1.00
                ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                December 31, 2002                       3.70:1.00
                ============================== =============================


         D.       CERTAIN CALCULATIONS.

         With  respect  to  calculations  of  Consolidated  Adjusted  EBITDA and
Consolidated  Fixed Charges for any  four-Fiscal  Quarter  period  including the
Closing Date, such 


                                      129
<PAGE>

calculations shall be made on a pro forma basis assuming, in each case, that the
Closing  Date,  the Merger,  the  repayment  of debt to be repaid on the Closing
Date, the issuance and sale of the Company  Common Stock in connection  with the
Recapitalization  Financing  Requirements and the related  borrowings by Company
pursuant  to the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  Credit  Agreement,  the AXEL Credit
Agreement and the Senior  Subordinated Note Indenture  occurred on the first day
of the applicable  four-Fiscal Quarter period and assuming further, for purposes
of calculation of the pro forma  interest  accrued on AXELs and Revolving  Loans
during  such  four  quarter  periods  prior to the  Closing  Date,  that (i) all
Revolving Loans  outstanding  were Eurodollar Rate Loans and that the applicable
reference interest rates were the average effective Adjusted Eurodollar Rates on
the  Revolving  Loans for the period from the Closing  Date  through the date of
determination  and (ii) all AXELs  outstanding  were  Eurodollar  Rate Loans (as
defined in the AXEL Credit Agreement) and that the applicable reference interest
rates were the average  effective  Adjusted  Eurodollar Rates (as defined in the
AXEL Credit Agreement) on the AXELs for the period from the Closing Date through
the date of  determination,  all such  calculations  to be in form and substance
satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent.

         With  respect  to  calculations  of  Consolidated  Adjusted  EBITDA and
Consolidated  Fixed Charges for any  four-Fiscal  Quarter  period  including the
Restatement Effective Date, such calculations shall be made on a pro forma basis
assuming,  in each  case,  that the  Restatement  Effective  Date,  the  Anagram
Acquisition,  the  repayment of debt to be repaid on the  Restatement  Effective
Date, the issuance and sale of the New Company Shares and the related borrowings
on or about the Restatement Effective Date by Company pursuant to this Agreement
and the AXEL  Credit  Agreement  occurred  on the  first  day of the  applicable
four-Fiscal Quarter period and assuming further,  for purposes of calculation of
the pro forma  interest  accrued on AXELs and  Revolving  Loans during such four
quarter periods prior to the Restatement  Effective Date, that (i) all Revolving
Loans  outstanding were Eurodollar Rate Loans and that the applicable  reference
interest  rates were the  average  effective  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rates on the
Revolving Loans for the period from the  Restatement  Effective Date through the
date of determination  and (ii) all AXELs outstanding were Eurodollar Rate Loans
(as  defined in the AXEL Credit  Agreement)  and that the  applicable  reference
interest rates were the average effective Adjusted  Eurodollar Rates (as defined
in the AXEL Credit  Agreement) on the AXELs for the period from the  Restatement
Effective Date through the date of determination, all such calculations to be in
form and substance satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent.

         During  the first  three  Fiscal  Quarters  of  Fiscal  Year  1998,  in
calculating  Consolidated  Fixed Charges for any such period,  such  calculation
shall be made using actual Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures paid in Cash from
the beginning of Fiscal Year 1998 and annualized.

         With  respect to any period  during which new  Subsidiaries,  assets or
businesses are acquired pursuant to subsection 7.7(vi) or 7.7(vii), for purposes
of  determining  compliance  with  the  financial  covenants  set  forth in this
subsection 7.6,  calculations of Consolidated  Adjusted EBITDA and  Consolidated
Fixed Charges shall exclude non-recurring  restructuring 


                                      130
<PAGE>

charges  associated  with such  transactions,  one time  costs  associated  with
financing raised and equity issued pursuant to subsections 7.1 (viii) and 7.1(x)
and the costs  associated with the realization of cost savings  described in the
next sentence,  provided that such exclusion shall not apply with respect to any
non recurring  restructuring charges and charges in connection with cost savings
to the  extent  they are paid in cash but only in the  period in which  they are
paid in cash.  Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed Charges shall
also be calculated with respect to such periods and such Subsidiaries, assets or
businesses  on a pro forma basis  (including  (without  duplication  for amounts
otherwise  included in Consolidated  Adjusted EBITDA) pro forma  adjustments for
cost savings which have actually  occurred  (annualizing  such cost savings) and
arise out of events which are directly  attributable to a specific  transaction,
are  factually  supportable  and  are  expected  to  have a  continuing  impact,
including,   without   limitation,   cost  savings  resulting  from  head  count
reductions,  closure of facilities and similar restructuring  charges, which pro
forma adjustments shall be certified in an Officers  Certificate of the Company)
using the historical  financial statements of all entities or assets so acquired
or to be acquired and the consolidated  financial  statements of Company and its
Subsidiaries  which shall be reformulated  (i) as if such  acquisition,  and any
acquisitions  which have been consummated  during such four quarter period,  and
any  Indebtedness  or other  liabilities  incurred in  connection  with any such
acquisition  had been  consummated  or  incurred at the  beginning  of such four
quarter period (and assuming that such  Indebtedness  bears interest  during any
portion of the applicable  measurement period prior to the relevant  acquisition
at the weighted  average of the interest rates  applicable to such  Indebtedness
during the period in which it is actually  outstanding),  and (ii)  otherwise in
conformity  with certain  procedures  to be agreed upon  between  Administrative
Agent  and  Company,   all  such  calculations  to  be  in  form  and  substance
satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

         In  addition,   in  calculating   compliance  with   Subsection   7.6A,
discontinued operations will be given pro forma effect as follows:

         (1)      Consolidated  Adjusted  EBITDA  attributable  to  discontinued
                  operations,   as  determined  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  and
                  operations  or  businesses  disposed  of on or  prior  to  the
                  calculation date, shall be excluded, and

         (2)      Consolidated   Fixed  Charges   attributable  to  discontinued
                  operations,   as  determined  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  and
                  operations  or  businesses  disposed  of on or  prior  to  the
                  calculation  date,  shall be excluded,  but only to the extent
                  that the obligations  giving rise to such  Consolidated  Fixed
                  Charges will not be  obligations  of the Company or any of its
                  Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.

                                      131
<PAGE>

7.7      RESTRICTION ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES; ASSET SALES AND ACQUISITIONS.

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
alter  the  corporate,  capital  or legal  structure  of  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries,  or enter  into any  transaction  of merger or  consolidation,  or
liquidate,   wind-up  or  dissolve   itself  (or  suffer  any   liquidation   or
dissolution),  or convey,  sell,  lease or sub-lease  (as lessor or  sublessor),
transfer  or  otherwise   dispose  of,  in  one   transaction  or  a  series  of
transactions,  all or any part of its business,  property or assets, whether now
owned or  hereafter  acquired,  or  acquire  by  purchase  or  otherwise  all or
substantially  all the business,  property or fixed assets of, or stock or other
evidence  of  beneficial  ownership  of, any Person or any  division  or line of
business of any Person, except:

                  (i) any  Subsidiary  of  Company  may be  merged  with or into
         Company or any  wholly-owned  Subsidiary  Guarantor,  or be liquidated,
         wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business,  property or
         assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed
         of, in one transaction or a series of  transactions,  to Company or any
         wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that, in the case of such a
         merger, Company or such wholly-owned  Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the
         continuing or surviving corporation;

                  (ii)  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  may  make  Consolidated
         Capital Expenditures permitted under subsection 7.8;

                  (iii)  Company and its  Subsidiaries  may dispose of obsolete,
         worn out or surplus property in the ordinary course of business and any
         assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of another Person or
         a  division  or line of  business  of such  Person  which  the  Company
         reasonably determines are surplus assets;

                  (iv)  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  may  sell  or  otherwise
         dispose of assets in transactions  that do not constitute  Asset Sales;
         provided that the consideration received for such assets shall be in an
         amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof;

                  (v) subject to subsection  7.12,  Company and its Subsidiaries
         may (x) sell the Chester, New York, Melbourne,  Australia and Montreal,
         Quebec real  estate and (y) make other  Asset Sales of assets  having a
         fair market value not in excess of $1,000,000  per year;  provided that
         (1) the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at
         least equal to the fair market  value  thereof;  (2) the  consideration
         received  shall be at least 85% cash;  and (3) no later  than the first
         Business  Day  following  the date of  receipt by Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds of such Asset Sale, Company
         shall deliver to Agent an Officers'  Certificate,  satisfactory in form
         and substance to Administrative Agent,  demonstrating the derivation of
         the Net Asset Sale  Proceeds  of such  Asset Sale from the gross  sales
         price received in connection therewith;

                                      132
<PAGE>

                  (vi)  In  addition  to  the  Anagram   Acquisition  (which  is
         addressed in subsection 7.7 (vii)),  Company and its  Subsidiaries  may
         acquire all or substantially all the business, property or fixed assets
         of, or stock or other  evidence of beneficial  ownership of, any Person
         or any  division  or line of business of any Person that is in the same
         line of business as Company and its Subsidiaries  ("PERMITTED  BUSINESS
         ACQUISITIONS");  provided  that, in the case of any Permitted  Business
         Acquisition that is financed in whole or in part with any consideration
         other than (a) common stock of Company  transferred to the seller,  (b)
         proceeds of  additional  cash common  equity  contributions  by GSII to
         Company,  and/or (c) proceeds of additional  subordinated  indebtedness
         incurred in compliance with the provisions of subsection 7.1(viii), (1)
         Company  and its  Subsidiaries  are in  compliance  with the  financial
         covenants under subsection 7.6 on a Pro Forma Basis for the four Fiscal
         Quarters  most recently  completed  prior to the  consummation  of such
         Permitted Business Acquisition and (2) the Consolidated Senior Leverage
         Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis for the four Fiscal  Quarters  most recently
         completed  prior  to  the  consummation  of  such  Permitted   Business
         Acquisition  shall  not  exceed  (A) for any such  four-Fiscal  Quarter
         period ending on or before the last day of Fiscal Year 1999, 4.00:1.00,
         and (b) for any such  four-Fiscal  Quarter  period  ending  thereafter,
         3.50:1.00; and

                  (vii)  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  may acquire the Anagram
         Shares pursuant to the Anagram Acquisition Agreement on the Restatement
         Effective Date.


7.8      CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

         Company  shall not, and shall not permit its  Subsidiaries  to, make or
incur Consolidated Capital Expenditures, in any Fiscal Year ending on a date set
forth below (or any four quarter period ending on any date set forth below on or
prior  to  December  31,  1998),  in  an  aggregate  amount  in  excess  of  the
corresponding amount (the "MAXIMUM  CONSOLIDATED  CAPITAL EXPENDITURES  AMOUNT")
set forth below  opposite  such date;  provided  that the  Maximum  Consolidated
Capital  Expenditures  Amount for any Fiscal Year,  commencing  with Fiscal Year
1999,  shall be increased by an amount equal to the excess,  if any,  (but in no
event more than 50% of the Maximum  Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount for
the  previous  Fiscal Year (or,  in the case of Fiscal  Year 1999,  for the four
Fiscal   Quarter  period  ending  as  of  December  31,  1998)  of  the  Maximum
Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures  Amount (as adjusted in accordance with this
proviso)  over the actual amount of  Consolidated  Capital  Expenditure  for the
previous  Fiscal Year (or, in the case of Fiscal Year 1999,  for the four Fiscal
Quarter period ending as of December 31, 1998):






                                      133
<PAGE>

                 ============================== =============================
                            PERIOD              MAXIMUM CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL
                            ENDING                      EXPENDITURES
                 ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                 September 30, 1998                               $8,000,000
                 ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                 December 31, 1998                                 9,000,000
                 ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                 December 31, 1999                                14,000,000
                 ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                 December 31, 2000                                15,000,000
                 ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                 December 31, 2001                                15,000,000
                 ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                 December 31, 2002                                15,000,000
                 ============================== =============================

         Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Company and its  Subsidiaries  may
fund  Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures in excess of the foregoing limits from
any  proceeds of an  additional  issuance of Company  common  stock in a private
issuance after the Restatement Effective Date.

7.9      SALES AND LEASE-BACKS.

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or  indirectly,  become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or
other surety with respect to any lease,  whether an Operating Lease or a Capital
Lease, of any property (whether real,  personal or mixed),  whether now owned or
hereafter  acquired,  (i) which Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  has sold or
transferred or is to sell or transfer to any other Person (other than Company or
any of its  Subsidiaries)  or  (ii)  which  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries
intends to use for  substantially  the same purpose as any other  property which
has been or is to be sold or transferred  by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
to any Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries) in connection with
such lease,  provided that, for the period commencing the Restatement  Effective
Date up to and including the second  anniversary  of the  Restatement  Effective
Date,  Company and its  Subsidiaries  may become liable with respect to any such
leases relating to the Chester, New York and Montreal, Quebec real estate.

7.10     TRANSACTIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES.

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including
the  purchase,  sale,  lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any
service)  with any  holder of 10% or more of any class of equity  Securities  of
Company or with any  Affiliate of Company or of any such  holder,  on terms that
are less favorable to Company or that Subsidiary, as the case 


                                      134
<PAGE>

may be, than those that might be  obtained at the time from  Persons who are not
such a holder or Affiliate;  provided that the foregoing  restriction  shall not
apply  to (i)  any  transaction  between  Company  and any of its  wholly  owned
Subsidiaries  or  between  any  of  its  wholly  owned  Subsidiaries,  (ii)  any
transaction between Company or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries and Goldman,
Sachs & Co., GSCP or GSII or any Affiliate of any of them,  (iii) reasonable and
customary  fees paid to members of the Boards of  Directors  of Company  and its
Subsidiaries or (iv) any transactions described on Schedule 7.10.

7.11     DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY STOCK.

         Except  for any  sale of 100% of the  capital  stock  or  other  equity
Securities  of any of its  Subsidiaries  in  compliance  with the  provisions of
subsection 7.7(v), Company shall not:

                  (i) directly or indirectly sell,  assign,  pledge or otherwise
         encumber  or dispose of any  shares of  capital  stock or other  equity
         Securities of any of its  Subsidiaries,  except to qualify directors if
         required by applicable law; or

                  (ii) permit any of its Subsidiaries  directly or indirectly to
         sell, assign,  pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of
         capital  stock or other equity  Securities  of any of its  Subsidiaries
         (including such Subsidiary),  except to Company,  another Subsidiary of
         Company, or to qualify directors if required by applicable law.

7.12     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

         From and after the Restatement  Effective Date,  Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, engage in any business other than
(i) the businesses engaged in by Company and its Subsidiaries on the Restatement
Effective  Date and similar or related  businesses  and (ii) such other lines of
business as may be consented to by Requisite Lenders.

7.13     AMENDMENTS OR  WAIVERS OF CERTAIN  RELATED  AGREEMENTS  AND THE ANAGRAM
         ACQUISITION AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SUBORDINATED
         INDEBTEDNESS.

         A. AMENDMENTS OR WAIVERS OF CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS. Neither Company
nor any of its  Subsidiaries  will agree to any material  amendment to, or waive
any of its material rights under, any Related  Agreement (other than any Related
Agreement evidencing or governing any Subordinated  Indebtedness) or the Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement after the Restatement Effective Date without in each case
obtaining the prior written  consent of Requisite  Lenders to such  amendment or
waiver.

         B.  AMENDMENTS  OF  DOCUMENTS  RELATING TO  SUBORDINATED  INDEBTEDNESS.
Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, amend or
otherwise change the terms of any Subordinated Indebtedness, or make any payment
consistent with an 


                                      135
<PAGE>

amendment  thereof or change thereto,  if the effect of such amendment or change
is to increase the interest rate on such Subordinated  Indebtedness,  change (to
earlier  dates) any dates upon which  payments of  principal or interest are due
thereon,  change any event of default or  condition  to an event of default with
respect  thereto  (other than to eliminate any such event of default or increase
any  grace  period  related  thereto),  change  the  redemption,  prepayment  or
defeasance  provisions  thereof,  change the  subordination  provisions  of such
Subordinated Indebtedness (or of any guaranty thereof), or change any collateral
therefor  (other  than to  release  such  collateral),  or if the effect of such
amendment or change,  together with all other  amendments or changes made, is to
increase  materially the obligations of the obligor  thereunder or to confer any
additional rights on the holders of such Subordinated Indebtedness (or a trustee
or other  representative  on their  behalf) which would be adverse to Company or
Lenders.

7.14     FISCAL YEAR

         Company shall not change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31.


                                   SECTION 8.
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         If any of the  following  conditions  or events  ("EVENTS OF  DEFAULT")
shall occur:

8.1      FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHEN DUE.

         Failure by Company to pay any installment of principal of any Revolving
Loan when  due,  whether  at  stated  maturity,  by  acceleration,  by notice of
voluntary prepayment,  by mandatory prepayment or otherwise;  failure by Company
to pay when due any amount payable to an Issuing Lender in  reimbursement of any
drawing  under a Letter of Credit;  or failure by Company to pay any interest on
any  Revolving  Loan or any fee or any other  amount  due under  this  Agreement
within three days after the date due; or

8.2      DEFAULT IN OTHER AGREEMENTS.

         (i) Failure of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  to pay when due any
principal  of or  interest on or any other  amount  payable in respect of one or
more items of Indebtedness  (other than  Indebtedness  referred to in subsection
8.1) or Contingent  Obligations with an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000
or more, in each case beyond the end of any grace period provided  therefor;  or
(ii) breach or default by Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any
other  material  term of (a) one or more  items of  Indebtedness  or  Contingent
Obligations  in the  individual or aggregate  principal  amounts  referred to in
clause  (i)  above  or  (b)  any  loan  agreement  (including  the  AXEL  Credit
Agreement),  mortgage,  indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of
Indebtedness  or  Contingent  Obligation(s),  if the  effect  of such  breach or
default is to cause, or to permit the holder or 


                                      136
<PAGE>

holders of that Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) (or a trustee on behalf
of  such  holder  or  holders)  to  cause,   that   Indebtedness  or  Contingent
Obligation(s)  to become or be  declared  due and  payable  prior to its  stated
maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be
(upon the giving or receiving of notice, lapse of time, both, or otherwise); or

8.3      BREACH OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.

         Failure of Company  to  perform  or comply  with any term or  condition
contained in subsection 2.5 or 6.2 or Section 7 of this Agreement; or

8.4      BREACH OF WARRANTY.

         Any representation,  warranty, certification or other statement made by
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  in any Loan Document or in any statement or
certificate at any time given by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  in writing
pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false
in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

8.5      OTHER DEFAULTS UNDER REVOLVING LOAN DOCUMENTS.

         Any Loan Party shall default in the  performance of or compliance  with
any  term  contained  in  this  Agreement  or any of the  other  Revolving  Loan
Documents,  other than any such term referred to in any other subsection of this
Section 8, and such  default  shall not have been  remedied or waived  within 30
days after the earlier of (i) an executive officer of Company or such Loan Party
becoming aware of such default or (ii) receipt by Company and such Loan Party of
notice from Administrative Agent or any Lender of such default; or

8.6      INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.

         (i) A court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or
order  for  relief  in  respect  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in an
involuntary  case  under  the  Bankruptcy  Code or under  any  other  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect,  which decree
or order is not stayed;  or any other similar  relief shall be granted under any
applicable  federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced
against  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  under the Bankruptcy Code or under
any other applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in
effect; or a decree or order of a court having  jurisdiction in the premises for
the appointment of a receiver, liquidator,  sequestrator,  trustee, custodian or
other officer having similar powers over Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  or
over all or a  substantial  part of its property,  shall have been  entered;  or
there shall have occurred the  involuntary  appointment of an interim  receiver,
trustee or other  custodian of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  for all or a
substantial  part of its  property;  or a warrant of  attachment,  execution  or
similar  process  shall have been  issued  against any  substantial  part of the
property of Company or any of its 


                                      137
<PAGE>

Subsidiaries,  and any such event  described in this clause (ii) shall  continue
for 60 days unless dismissed, bonded or discharged; or

8.7      VOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.

         (i) Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall have an order for relief
entered  with  respect to it or commence a voluntary  case under the  Bankruptcy
Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar law now or
hereafter in effect,  or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary  case, or to the  conversion of an  involuntary  case to a voluntary
case,  under any such law,  or shall  consent  to the  appointment  of or taking
possession  by a receiver,  trustee or other  custodian for all or a substantial
part of its  property;  or  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall make any
assignment  for  the  benefit  of  creditors;  or  (ii)  Company  or  any of its
Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing
its  inability,  to pay its  debts as such  debts  become  due;  or the Board of
Directors of Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall
adopt any  resolution  or otherwise  authorize  any action to approve any of the
actions referred to in clause (i) above or this clause (ii); or

8.8      JUDGMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS.

         Any money  judgment,  writ or warrant of attachment or similar  process
involving  in the  aggregate at any time an amount in excess of  $5,000,000  (in
either  case not  adequately  covered  by  insurance  as to which a solvent  and
unaffiliated  insurance  company has acknowledged  coverage) shall be entered or
filed  against  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their  respective
assets and shall  remain  undischarged,  unvacated,  unbonded or unstayed  for a
period of 60 days (or in any event later than five days prior to the date of any
proposed sale thereunder); or

8.9      DISSOLUTION.

         Any order,  judgment or decree shall be entered  against Company or any
of its  Subsidiaries  decreeing the  dissolution  or split up of Company or that
Subsidiary and such order shall remain  undischarged or unstayed for a period in
excess of 30 days; or

8.10     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

         There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the
aggregate  results in or might  reasonably be expected to result in liability of
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  in excess of $5,000,000  during the term of
this Agreement;  or the excess of (1) the actuarial present value (determined on
the basis of reasonable assumptions employed by the independent actuary for each
Pension Plan for purposes of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section
302 of ERISA) of benefit  liabilities  (as  defined in  Section  4001(a)(16)  of
ERISA)  over (2) the fair  market  value of the  assets  of such  Pension  Plan,
individually  or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans  (excluding for purposes
of such  


                                      138
<PAGE>

computation  any  Pension  Plans with  respect to which  assets  exceed  benefit
liabilities), exceeds $7,500,000; or

8.11     CHANGE IN CONTROL.

         If (i) prior to a Qualified  Public  Offering  GSII  together  with any
Affiliates  of GSII shall cease to  beneficially  own and control 51% or more of
the combined  voting power of all  Securities  of the  Company,  (ii)  following
consummation  of a  Qualified  Public  Offering  any  Person  or any two or more
Persons acting in concert shall have acquired  beneficial  ownership (within the
meaning  of Rule  13d-3 of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  under the
Exchange  Act),  directly  or  indirectly,  of  Securities  of Company (or other
Securities  convertible into such Securities)  representing more of the combined
voting  power  of all  Securities  of  Company  than is  owned  by GSII  and its
Affiliates at such time, or (iii) a "Change of Control" as defined in the Senior
Subordinated Notes Indenture occurs; or

8.12     INVALIDITY OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY; FAILURE OF SECURITY;  REPUDIATION OF
         OBLIGATIONS

         At  any  time  after  the  execution  and  delivery  thereof,  (i)  the
Subsidiary  Guaranty for any reason,  other than the satisfaction in full of all
Obligations,  shall  cease  to be in  full  force  and  effect  (other  than  in
accordance  with its terms) or shall be declared  to be null and void,  (ii) any
Collateral  Document  shall cease to be in full force and effect  (other than by
reason of a release of Collateral thereunder in accordance with the terms hereof
or thereof, the satisfaction in full of the Obligations or any other termination
of such  Collateral  Document in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof) or
shall be declared null and void, or Administrative Agent shall not have or shall
cease  to have a valid  and  perfected  First  Priority  Lien in any  Collateral
purported  to be covered  thereby,  in each case for any  reason  other than the
failure of  Administrative  Agent or any  Lender to take any  action  within its
control, or (iii) any Loan Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of
any  Loan  Document  in  writing  or deny  in  writing  that it has any  further
liability,  including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Loan
Document to which it is a party; or

8.13     FAILURE TO CONSUMMATE ANAGRAM ACQUISITION.

         The Anagram  Acquisition  shall not be consummated  in accordance  with
this  Agreement,  or the  Anagram  Acquisition  shall be  unwound,  reversed  or
otherwise rescinded in whole or in any material part for any reason; or

8.14     AMENDMENT OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS OF COMPANY.

         Company  shall agree to any material  amendment to, or waive any of its
material  rights under,  or otherwise  change any material  terms of, any of the
Recapitalization  Documents, in each case as in effect on the Closing Date, in a
manner adverse to Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or to Lenders without the
prior written consent of Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders;

                                      139
<PAGE>

THEN (i) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in subsection 8.6
or 8.7, each of (a) the unpaid  principal  amount of and accrued interest on the
Revolving  Loans, (b) an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any time
be drawn  under all  Letters  of Credit  then  outstanding  (whether  or not any
beneficiary  under any such Letter of Credit shall have  presented,  or shall be
entitled at such time to present,  the drafts or other documents or certificates
required  to draw under such Letter of  Credit),  and (c) all other  Obligations
shall  automatically  become immediately due and payable,  without  presentment,
demand,  protest  or other  requirements  of any kind,  all of which are  hereby
expressly  waived by  Company,  and the  obligation  of each  Lender to make any
Revolving  Loan, the obligation of  Administrative  Agent to issue any Letter of
Credit and the right of any Lender to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall
thereupon terminate, and (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
any other Event of Default, Administrative Agent shall, upon the written request
or with the written consent of Requisite Lenders,  by written notice to Company,
declare all or any portion of the amounts  described  in clauses (a) through (c)
above to be, and the same shall forthwith  become,  immediately due and payable,
and the obligation of each Lender to make any Revolving  Loan, the obligation of
Administrative  Agent to issue any  Letter of Credit and the right of any Lender
to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall thereupon terminate; provided that
the  foregoing  shall not affect in any way the  obligations  of  Lenders  under
subsection 3.3C(i).

         Any  amounts   described  in  clause  (b)  above,   when   received  by
Administrative Agent, shall be held by Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of
the Intercreditor Agreement and shall be applied as therein provided.

         Notwithstanding  anything contained in the second preceding  paragraph,
if at any time  within 60 days  after an  acceleration  of the  Revolving  Loans
pursuant  to clause  (ii) of such  paragraph  Company  shall pay all  arrears of
interest and all  payments on account of  principal  which shall have become due
otherwise than as a result of such acceleration (with interest on principal and,
to the extent permitted by law, on overdue  interest,  at the rates specified in
this Agreement) and all Events of Default and Potential Events of Default (other
than  non-payment  of the  principal  of and accrued  interest on the  Revolving
Loans,  in each case which is due and payable solely by virtue of  acceleration)
shall be remedied or waived pursuant to subsection 10.6, then Requisite Lenders,
by  written  notice to  Company,  may at their  option  rescind  and annul  such
acceleration  and its  consequences;  but  such  action  shall  not  affect  any
subsequent  Event of Default or  Potential  Event of Default or impair any right
consequent thereon. The provisions of this paragraph are intended merely to bind
Lenders to a decision which may be made at the election of Requisite Lenders and
are  not  intended,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  benefit  Company,  and  such
provisions  shall not at any time be construed so as to grant  Company the right
to require Lenders to rescind or annul any acceleration hereunder or to preclude
Administrative  Agent or Lenders from  exercising  any of the rights or remedies
available  to  them  under  any of the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  even if the
conditions set forth in this paragraph are met.


                                      140
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 9.
                                     AGENTS

9.1      APPOINTMENT.

         A.  APPOINTMENT  OF  AGENTS.  GSCP is  hereby  appointed  Arranger  and
Syndication  Agent  hereunder,  and each Lender hereby  authorizes  Arranger and
Syndication  Agent to act as its  agent  in  accordance  with the  terms of this
Agreement and the other  Revolving  Loan  Documents.  Fleet is hereby  appointed
Administrative  Agent hereunder and under the other Revolving Loan Documents and
each  Lender  hereby  authorizes  Administrative  Agent  to act as its  agent in
accordance  with the  terms  of this  Agreement  and the  other  Revolving  Loan
Documents.   Fleet  is  also  being   appointed   Collateral   Agent  under  the
Intercreditor  Agreement and each Lender hereby  authorizes  Collateral Agent to
act as its agent in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and
the other  Revolving  Loan  Documents.  Each Agent hereby agrees to act upon the
express  conditions  contained in this  Agreement and the other  Revolving  Loan
Documents,  as  applicable.  The provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the
benefit of Agents and Lenders and Company  shall have no rights as a third party
beneficiary  of any of the provisions  thereof.  In performing its functions and
duties under this Agreement,  each Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders
and does not  assume  and shall not be deemed  to have  assumed  any  obligation
towards or  relationship  of agency or trust  with or for  Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.  Each of Arranger and  Syndication  Agent,  without  consent of or
notice to any party hereto,  may assign any and all of its rights or obligations
hereunder to any of its Affiliates.  As of the  Restatement  Effective Date, all
obligations of Arranger and Syndication Agent hereunder shall terminate.

         B. APPOINTMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL AGENTS. It is the purpose of
this  Agreement and the other  Revolving  Loan  Documents that there shall be no
violation of any law of any  jurisdiction  denying or  restricting  the right of
banking corporations or associations to transact business as agent or trustee in
such  jurisdiction.  It is  recognized  that in case of  litigation  under  this
Agreement or any of the other  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  and in particular in
case of the  enforcement  of any of the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  or in case
Administrative  Agent  deems that by reason of any  present or future law of any
jurisdiction it may not exercise any of the rights,  powers or remedies  granted
herein or in any of the other  Revolving Loan Documents or take any other action
which may be desirable or necessary in connection therewith, it may be necessary
that Administrative  Agent appoint an additional  individual or institution as a
separate trustee, co-trustee,  collateral agent or collateral co-agent (any such
additional  individual or institution being referred to herein individually as a
"SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL  AGENT" and collectively as  "SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL
AGENTS").

         In  the  event  that  Administrative   Agent  appoints  a  Supplemental
Collateral  Agent with  respect  to any  Collateral,  (i) each and every  right,
power,  privilege or duty  expressed or intended by this Agreement or any of the
other  Revolving  Loan  Documents to be exercised by or vested in or conveyed to
Administrative Agent with respect to such 


                                      141
<PAGE>

Collateral  shall be  exercisable  by and vest in such  Supplemental  Collateral
Agent  to the  extent,  and  only  to  the  extent,  necessary  to  enable  such
Supplemental  Collateral  Agent to exercise such rights,  powers and  privileges
with respect to such  Collateral and to perform such duties with respect to such
Collateral,  and every covenant and  obligation  contained in the Revolving Loan
Documents  and  necessary  to  the  exercise  or  performance  thereof  by  such
Supplemental Collateral Agent shall run to and be enforceable by either Agent or
such  Supplemental  Collateral  Agent, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 9
and of subsections 10.2 and 10.3 that refer to Administrative  Agent shall inure
to the benefit of such Supplemental  Collateral Agent and all references therein
to Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be references to Administrative Agent
and/or such Supplemental Collateral Agent, as the context may require.

         Should any  instrument  in writing from Company or any other Loan Party
be required by any Supplemental  Collateral Agent so appointed by Administrative
Agent for more fully and certainly  vesting in and  confirming to him or it such
rights,  powers,  privileges and duties, Company shall, or shall cause such Loan
Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly
upon request by Administrative Agent. In case any Supplemental Collateral Agent,
or a successor  thereto,  shall die,  become  incapable of acting,  resign or be
removed,  all the rights,  powers,  privileges  and duties of such  Supplemental
Collateral Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised
by Administrative  Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental  Collateral
Agent.

9.2      POWERS AND DUTIES; GENERAL IMMUNITY.

         A. POWERS;  DUTIES SPECIFIED.  Each Lender irrevocably  authorizes each
Agent to take such action on such  Lender's  behalf and to exercise such powers,
rights and remedies  hereunder and under the other  Revolving  Loan Documents as
are  specifically  delegated  or granted  to such Agent by the terms  hereof and
thereof,  together  with such  powers,  rights and  remedies  as are  reasonably
incidental thereto. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities
that are  expressly  specified in this  Agreement and the other  Revolving  Loan
Documents.  Each Agent may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform
such duties by or through  its agents or  employees.  No Agent  shall  have,  by
reason  of this  Agreement  or any of the  other  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  a
fiduciary  relationship in respect of any Lender;  and nothing in this Agreement
or any of the other Revolving Loan Documents,  expressed or implied, is intended
to or shall be so  construed  as to impose  upon any Agent  any  obligations  in
respect of this Agreement or any of the other Revolving Loan Documents except as
expressly set forth herein or therein.

         B. NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN MATTERS. No Agent shall be responsible
to  any  Lender  for  the  execution,   effectiveness,   genuineness,  validity,
enforceability,  collectibility  or  sufficiency  of this Agreement or any other
Loan  Document or for any  representations,  warranties,  recitals or statements
made  herein or therein  or made in any  written  or oral  statements  or in any
financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any other
documents  furnished  or made by any of Agent to  Lenders  or by or on behalf of

                                      142
<PAGE>

Company  to any  Agent or any  Lender  in  connection  with the  Revolving  Loan
Documents  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  or for  the  financial
condition  or  business  affairs of Company or any other  Person  liable for the
payment of any  Obligations,  nor shall any Agent be  required to  ascertain  or
inquire as to the  performance  or observance  of any of the terms,  conditions,
provisions,  covenants  or  agreements  contained in any of the  Revolving  Loan
Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the  Revolving  Loans or as to the
existence or possible  existence  of any Event of Default or Potential  Event of
Default.  Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary  notwithstanding,
Administrative  Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of
the amount of outstanding  Revolving  Loans or the Letter of Credit Usage or the
component amounts thereof.

         C. EXCULPATORY  PROVISIONS.  None of Agents nor any of their respective
officers,  partners,  directors,  employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders
for any action taken or omitted by any Agent under or in connection  with any of
the Revolving Loan  Documents  except to the extent caused by such Agent's gross
negligence or willful  misconduct.  Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from
any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in
connection  with this Agreement or any of the other  Revolving Loan Documents or
from the exercise of any power,  discretion or authority  vested in it hereunder
or thereunder  unless and until such Agent shall have received  instructions  in
respect thereof from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required
to give such  instructions  under  subsection  10.6) and,  upon  receipt of such
instructions from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be),
such  Agent  shall be  entitled  to act or (where so  instructed)  refrain  from
acting, or to exercise such power,  discretion or authority,  in accordance with
such  instructions.  Without  prejudice to the generality of the foregoing,  (i)
each Agent shall be entitled to rely,  and shall be fully  protected in relying,
upon any communication,  instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and
correct  and to have been signed or sent by the proper  person or  persons,  and
shall be entitled  to rely and shall be  protected  in relying on  opinions  and
judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for Company and its  Subsidiaries),
accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no
Lender shall have any right of action  whatsoever  against any Agent as a result
of such Agent acting or (where so instructed)  refraining from acting under this
Agreement or any of the other  Revolving Loan  Documents in accordance  with the
instructions  of Requisite  Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to
give such instructions under subsection 10.6).

         D. AGENT ENTITLED TO ACT AS LENDER.  The agency hereby created shall in
no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or
obligations  upon, any Agent in its individual  capacity as a Lender  hereunder.
With  respect to its  participation  in the  Revolving  Loans and the Letters of
Credit,  each Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not performing the duties and
functions  delegated to it hereunder,  and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" or any
similar term shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each
Agent in its  individual  capacity.  Any Agent  and its  Affiliates  may  accept
deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust,
financial advisory or other 


                                      143
<PAGE>

business with Company or any of its  Affiliates as if it were not performing the
duties  specified  herein,  and may  accept  fees and other  consideration  from
Company for services in connection  with this  Agreement  and otherwise  without
having to account for the same to Lenders.

9.3      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPRAISAL OF 
         CREDITWORTHINESS.

         Each  Lender   represents  and  warrants  that  it  has  made  its  own
independent  investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
its  Subsidiaries  in connection  with the making of the Revolving Loans and the
issuance of Letters of Credit  hereunder and that it has made and shall continue
to  make  its  own  appraisal  of  the   creditworthiness  of  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries.  No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility,  either initially
or on a continuing  basis, to make any such  investigation or any such appraisal
on  behalf  of  Lenders  or to  provide  any  Lender  with any  credit  or other
information with respect thereto,  whether coming into its possession before the
making of the Revolving Loans or at any time or times  thereafter,  and no Agent
shall  have  any  responsibility   with  respect  to  the  accuracy  of  or  the
completeness of any information provided to Lenders.

9.4      RIGHT TO INDEMNITY.

         Each Lender,  in proportion to its Pro Rata Share,  severally agrees to
indemnify  each  Agent,  to the  extent  that  such  Agent  shall  not have been
reimbursed  by Company,  for and against any and all  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,   penalties,   actions,   judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses
(including  counsel  fees and  disbursements)  or  disbursements  of any kind or
nature  whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such
Agent in exercising  its powers,  rights and remedies or  performing  its duties
hereunder  or under the other  Revolving  Loan  Documents  or  otherwise  in its
capacity as such Agent in any way  relating to or arising out of this  Agreement
or the other Revolving Loan  Documents;  provided that no Lender shall be liable
for any portion of such liabilities,  obligations,  losses, damages,  penalties,
actions,  judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such
Agent's gross  negligence or willful  misconduct  and provided  further that any
such  indemnification of the Collateral Agent shall be on the terms described in
section 6(c) of the Intercreditor  Agreement.  If any indemnity furnished to any
Agent for any purpose shall,  in the opinion of such Agent,  be  insufficient or
become impaired,  such Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not
commence,  to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is
furnished.

9.5      SUCCESSOR AGENT.

         SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  Administrative Agent may resign at any
time by giving 30 days' prior written notice thereof to Lenders and Company, and
Administrative  Agent may be  removed  at any time with or  without  cause by an
instrument  or  concurrent  


                                      144
<PAGE>

instruments in writing delivered to Company and Administrative  Agent and signed
by Requisite  Lenders.  Upon any such notice of resignation or any such removal,
Requisite  Lenders  shall have the right,  upon five  Business  Days'  notice to
Company,  to  appoint  a  successor   Administrative   Agent.  If  no  successor
Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by Requisite Lenders and shall
have accepted such appointment  within 30 days after the notice of the intent of
the Administrative Agent to resign, then the retiring  Administrative Agent may,
on behalf of the Lenders,  appoint a successor  Administrative  Agent.  Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as  Administrative  Agent hereunder by a successor
Administrative  Agent,  that  successor  Administrative  Agent  shall  thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,  privileges and duties
of the  retiring  or removed  Administrative  Agent and the  retiring or removed
Administrative  Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations  under
this Agreement. After any retiring or removed Administrative Agent's resignation
or removal hereunder as  Administrative  Agent, the provisions of this Section 9
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it
while it was Agent under this Agreement.

9.6      COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS AND GUARANTIES.

         Each Lender hereby further authorizes  Administrative  Agent, on behalf
of and for the benefit of Lenders, to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and
to appoint the Collateral  Agent thereunder as agent for and  representative  of
Lenders. Under the terms of the Intercreditor  Agreement the Collateral Agent is
authorized to enter into each Collateral Document as secured party and to be the
agent for and  representative of Secured Parties under the Subsidiary  Guaranty,
and each Lender agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor  Agreement,
each Collateral Document and the Subsidiary Guaranty. Administrative Agent shall
not enter into or consent to any material amendment, modification or termination
of the Intercreditor  Agreement without the prior consent of Requisite  Lenders.
Each Lender  acknowledges  that under the terms of the  Intercreditor  Agreement
without further written consent or authorization from Lenders,  Collateral Agent
may execute  any  documents  or  instruments  necessary  to (a) release any Lien
encumbering  any  item of  Collateral  that is the  subject  of a sale or  other
disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement or to which Requisite  Lenders
have  otherwise  consented  or (b) release  any  Subsidiary  Guarantor  from the
Subsidiary Guaranty if all of the capital stock of such Subsidiary  Guarantor is
sold to any Person  (other than an Affiliate  of Company)  pursuant to a sale or
other disposition  permitted  hereunder or to which Requisite Lenders or Lenders
(as  applicable)  have  otherwise  consented.  Anything  contained in any of the
Revolving   Loan   Documents   to   the   contrary   notwithstanding,   Company,
Administrative  Agent and each Lender hereby agree that (X) no Lender shall have
any  right  individually  to  realize  upon  any of  the  Collateral  under  any
Collateral Document or to enforce the Subsidiary  Guaranty,  it being understood
and agreed that all powers,  rights and remedies under the Collateral  Documents
and the Subsidiary  Guaranty may be exercised solely by Collateral Agent for the
benefit of Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof,  and (Y) in the
event of a foreclosure by Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral  pursuant to
a public or  private  sale,  Collateral  Agent or any  Secured  Party may be the
purchaser  of any or all of such  Collateral  


                                      145
<PAGE>

at any such  sale and  Collateral  Agent,  as agent  for and  representative  of
Secured  Parties (but not any Secured  Party or Secured  Parties in its or their
respective  individual capacities unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise agree
in writing) shall be entitled,  for the purpose of bidding and making settlement
or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the  Collateral  sold
at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the  Obligations as a credit on
account of the purchase price for any collateral  payable by Collateral Agent at
such sale. The Lenders each further  acknowledge  and agree that pursuant to the
Intercreditor Agreement and the Collateral Documents,  Collateral Agent will act
as the fonde de pouvoir  (holder of the power of  attorney)  of the holders from
time to time  of  Notes  issued  pursuant  hereto  to the  extent  necessary  or
desirable  for the purposes of creating,  maintaining  or enforcing any Liens or
guarantees  created or established under any Collateral  Documents  contemplated
hereby  to be  executed  under  the  laws  of the  Province  of  Quebec,  Canada
including,  without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  entering into any
such  Collateral  Documents  and  exercising  all or any of the rights,  powers,
trusts  or  duties  conferred  upon  the  Collateral  Agent  therein  and in the
Intercreditor  Agreement  and each holder of Notes by receiving and holding same
accepts and confirms the appointment of the Collateral Agent as fonde de pouvoir
(holder of the power of attorney) of such holder for such purposes.


                                   SECTION 10.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS IN LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         A.  GENERAL.  Subject to subsection  10.1B,  each Lender shall have the
right at any time to (i) sell, assign or transfer to any Eligible  Assignee,  or
(ii) sell participations to any Person in, all or any part of its Revolving Loan
Commitments or any Revolving  Loan or Revolving  Loans made by it or its Letters
of Credit or participations therein or any other interest herein or in any other
Obligations  owed to it;  provided  that no such sale,  assignment,  transfer or
participation shall,  without the consent of Company,  require Company to file a
registration  statement with the Securities and Exchange  Commission or apply to
qualify such sale,  assignment,  transfer or participation  under the securities
laws of any state;  provided,  further that no such sale, assignment or transfer
described in clause (i) above shall be effective  unless and until an Assignment
Agreement  effecting such sale,  assignment or transfer shall have been accepted
by  Administrative  Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in subsection
10.1B(ii);  provided,  further  that  no  such  sale,  assignment,  transfer  or
participation of any Letter of Credit or any  participation  therein may be made
separately from a sale, assignment, transfer or participation of a corresponding
interest in the Revolving Loan  Commitment and the Revolving Loans of the Lender
effecting such sale, assignment, transfer or participation.  Except as otherwise
provided in this  subsection  10.1, no Lender shall, as between Company and such
Lender, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any sale,
assignment or transfer of, or any granting of participations in, all or any part
of its Revolving Loan  Commitments or the 


                                      146
<PAGE>

Revolving Loans, the Letters of Credit or participations  therein,  or the other
Obligations owed to such Lender.

         B.       ASSIGNMENTS.

                  (i)  Amounts and Terms of  Assignments.  Each  Revolving  Loan
         Commitment,  Revolving Loan, Letter of Credit or participation therein,
         or other  Obligation  may (a) be  assigned  in any  amount  to  another
         Lender, or to a Related Fund or an Affiliate of the assigning Lender or
         another  Lender,  with the giving of notice to Company,  Administrative
         Agent and Syndication  Agent or (b) be assigned in an aggregate  amount
         of not less than $5,000,000 (or such lesser amount as shall  constitute
         the  aggregate  amount of the  Revolving  Loan  Commitments,  Revolving
         Loans,  Letters  of  Credit  and  participations   therein,  and  other
         Obligations  of the assigning  Lender) to any other  Eligible  Assignee
         with  the  giving  of  notice  to  Company  and  with  the  consent  of
         Administrative  Agent and Syndication Agent (which consent shall not be
         unreasonably withheld or delayed). To the extent of any such assignment
         in accordance with either clause (a) or (b) above, the assigning Lender
         shall be relieved of its obligations with respect to its Revolving Loan
         Commitments,  Revolving  Loans,  Letters  of Credit  or  participations
         therein,  or other Obligations or the portion thereof so assigned.  The
         parties  to  each  such   assignment   shall  execute  and  deliver  to
         Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register,
         an Assignment Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee
         of $500,  if such  assignment  is to another  Lender or an Affiliate or
         Related Fund of the assigning  Lender,  or $2000, if such assignment is
         to any other Eligible Assignee,  and such forms,  certificates or other
         evidence,  if any,  with respect to United  States  federal  income tax
         withholding matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may
         be required to deliver to  Administrative  Agent pursuant to subsection
         2.7B(iii)(a).   Upon   such   execution,   delivery,   acceptance   and
         recordation,  from and  after  the  effective  date  specified  in such
         Assignment  Agreement,  (y) the  assignee  thereunder  shall be a party
         hereto and, to the extent that rights and  obligations  hereunder  have
         been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment  Agreement,  shall have
         the rights and obligations of a Lender  hereunder and (z) the assigning
         Lender  thereunder  shall,  to the extent that  rights and  obligations
         hereunder  have  been  assigned  by  it  pursuant  to  such  Assignment
         Agreement,  relinquish  its rights (other than any rights which survive
         the  termination  of this  Agreement  under  subsection  10.9B)  and be
         released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of
         an Assignment  Agreement  covering all or the  remaining  portion of an
         assigning  Lender's rights and obligations  under this Agreement,  such
         Lender  shall  cease  to be a party  hereto;  provided  that,  anything
         contained  in any of  the  Revolving  Loan  Documents  to the  contrary
         notwithstanding,  if such Lender is the Issuing  Lender with respect to
         any  outstanding  Letters of Credit such Lender shall  continue to have
         all rights and  obligations  of an Issuing  Lender with respect to such
         Letters of Credit until the  cancellation or expiration of such Letters
         of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn  thereunder).  The
         Revolving Loan  


                                      147
<PAGE>

         Commitments  hereunder  shall be modified to reflect the Revolving Loan
         Commitment of such assignee and any remaining Revolving Loan Commitment
         of such assigning  Lender and, if any such assignment  occurs after the
         issuance of the Revolving Notes hereunder,  the assigning Lender shall,
         upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly  thereafter as
         practicable, surrender its applicable Revolving Notes to Administrative
         Agent for  cancellation,  and thereupon  new  Revolving  Notes shall be
         issued to the assignee and/or to the assigning Lender, substantially in
         the  form of  Exhibit  V  annexed  hereto,  as the  case  may be,  with
         appropriate  insertions,  to reflect the new Revolving Loan Commitments
         of the assignee and/or the assigning Lender.

                  (ii)  Acceptance  by  Administrative  Agent;   Recordation  in
         Register.  Upon its receipt of an Assignment  Agreement  executed by an
         assigning  Lender and an assignee  representing  that it is an Eligible
         Assignee,  together with the processing and recordation fee referred to
         in subsection  10.1B(i) and any forms,  certificates  or other evidence
         with respect to United States  federal income tax  withholding  matters
         that such assignee may be required to deliver to  Administrative  Agent
         pursuant to subsection  2.7B(iii)(a),  Administrative  Agent shall,  if
         Administrative  Agent has consented to the assignment evidenced thereby
         (to  the  extent  such  consent  is  required  pursuant  to  subsection
         10.1B(i)),   (a)  accept  such  Assignment  Agreement  by  executing  a
         counterpart   thereof  as  provided  therein  (which  acceptance  shall
         evidence  any  required  consent  of   Administrative   Agent  to  such
         assignment),  (b)  record  the  information  contained  therein  in the
         Register, and (c) give prompt notice thereof to Company. Administrative
         Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment  Agreement  delivered to
         and accepted by it as provided in this subsection 10.1B(ii).

         C.  PARTICIPATIONS.  The  holder of any  participation,  other  than an
Affiliate of the Lender  granting such  participation,  shall not be entitled to
require such Lender to take or omit to take any action  hereunder  except action
directly affecting (i) the extension of the regularly  scheduled maturity of any
portion of the principal  amount of or interest on any Revolving  Loan allocated
to such participation or (ii) a reduction of the principal amount of or the rate
of interest payable on any Revolving Loan allocated to such  participation,  and
all amounts  payable by Company  hereunder  (including  amounts  payable to such
Lender pursuant to subsections 2.6D, 2.7 and 3.6) shall be determined as if such
Lender  had  not  sold  such  participation.  Company  and  each  Lender  hereby
acknowledge  and agree that,  solely for purposes of subsections  10.4 and 10.5,
(a) any  participation  will give rise to a direct  obligation of Company to the
participant and (b) the participant shall be considered to be a "Lender".

         D. ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS. In addition to the assignments
and participations  permitted under the foregoing  provisions of this subsection
10.1,  any Lender may  assign  and  pledge all or any  portion of its  Revolving
Loans, the other Obligations owed to such Lender, and its Revolving Notes to any
Federal  Reserve Bank as  collateral  security  pursuant to  Regulation A of the
Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System and any  


                                      148
<PAGE>

operating  circular  issued by such Federal  Reserve Bank;  provided that (i) no
Lender  shall,  as between  Company and such  Lender,  be relieved of any of its
obligations  hereunder as a result of any such assignment and pledge and (ii) in
no event shall such Federal  Reserve Bank be  considered  to be a "Lender" or be
entitled  to  require  the  assigning  Lender to take or omit to take any action
hereunder.

         E.  INFORMATION.  Each Lender may furnish  any  information  concerning
Company and its  Subsidiaries in the possession of that Lender from time to time
to   assignees   and   participants   (including   prospective   assignees   and
participants), subject to subsection 10.19.

         F.  REPRESENTATIONS  OF LENDERS.  Each Lender  listed on the  signature
pages hereof hereby  represents and warrants (i) that it is an Eligible Assignee
described in clause (A) of the definition  thereof;  (ii) that it has experience
and  expertise  in the making of or  investing  in loans  such as the  Revolving
Loans;  and (iii) that it will make its  Revolving  Loans for its own account in
the ordinary  course of its business and without a view to  distribution of such
Revolving  Loans within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or
other  federal  securities  laws  (it  being  understood  that,  subject  to the
provisions of this  subsection  10.1, the disposition of such Revolving Loans or
any interests  therein shall at all times remain within its exclusive  control).
Each Lender that  becomes a party  hereto  pursuant to an  Assignment  Agreement
shall be deemed to agree that the  representations and warranties of such Lender
contained in Section 2(c) of such Assignment  Agreement are incorporated  herein
by this reference.

10.2     EXPENSES.

         Whether  or  not  the   transactions   contemplated   hereby  shall  be
consummated,  Company  agrees to pay promptly (i) all the actual and  reasonable
costs and  expenses of  preparation  of the  Revolving  Loan  Documents  and any
consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (ii) all the costs
of  furnishing  all  opinions  by counsel for Company  (including  any  opinions
requested by Lenders as to any legal matters arising hereunder) and of Company's
performance of and compliance  with all agreements and conditions on its part to
be performed or complied with under this Agreement and the other  Revolving Loan
Documents  including with respect to confirming  compliance with  environmental,
insurance and solvency  requirements;  (iii) the reasonable  fees,  expenses and
disbursements  of counsel to Arranger  and counsel to  Administrative  Agent (in
each case including  allocated costs of internal counsel) in connection with the
negotiation,  preparation,  execution and  administration  of the Revolving Loan
Documents and any consents,  amendments,  waivers or other modifications thereto
and any other  documents or matters  requested  by Company;  (iv) all the actual
costs and  reasonable  expenses of  creating  and  perfecting  Liens in favor of
Collateral  Agent on  behalf  of  Secured  Parties  pursuant  to any  Collateral
Document,  including  filing and recording  fees,  expenses and taxes,  stamp or
documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance  premiums,  and reasonable fees,
expenses and  disbursements of counsel to Arranger and counsel to Administrative
Agent and of counsel providing any opinions that Arranger,  Administrative Agent
or Requisite  Lenders may 


                                      149
<PAGE>

request in respect of the  Collateral  Documents or the Liens  created  pursuant
thereto;  (v) all the  actual  costs  and  reasonable  expenses  (including  the
reasonable  fees,  expenses and  disbursements  of any auditors,  accountants or
appraisers  and any  environmental  or other  consultants,  advisors  and agents
employed or retained by  Administrative  Agent or Arranger  and its  counsel) of
obtaining and reviewing any  appraisals  provided for under  subsection  4.1J or
6.9C, any environmental  audits or reports provided for under subsection 4.1K or
6.9B(viii) and any audits or reports  provided for under subsection 4.1L or 6.5B
with  respect  to  Inventory   and  accounts   receivable  of  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries;  (vi) all the actual costs and reasonable  expenses (including the
reasonable fees,  expenses and  disbursements  of any consultants,  advisors and
agents  employed  or  retained  by  Administrative  Agent  and its  counsel)  in
connection with the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral;  (vii) all
other actual and reasonable  costs and expenses  incurred by Syndication  Agent,
Arranger or  Administrative  Agent in  connection  with the  syndication  of the
Revolving Loan Commitments and the negotiation, preparation and execution of the
Revolving  Loan  Documents  and  any  consents,  amendments,  waivers  or  other
modifications  thereto and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby;  and (viii)
after the occurrence of an Event of Default,  all costs and expenses,  including
reasonable  attorneys' fees (including  allocated costs of internal counsel) and
costs of settlement,  incurred by Arranger,  Administrative Agent and Lenders in
enforcing any  Obligations  of or in  collecting  any payments due from any Loan
Party  hereunder or under the other  Revolving  Loan Documents by reason of such
Event of Default  (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or
other  realization  upon  any  of  the  Collateral  or  the  enforcement  of the
Subsidiary  Guaranty) or in connection with any refinancing or  restructuring of
the  credit  arrangements  provided  under  this  Agreement  in the  nature of a
"work-out" or pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.

10.3     INDEMNITY.

         In addition to the payment of  expenses  pursuant to  subsection  10.2,
whether  or not the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall  be  consummated,
Company  agrees  to defend  (subject  to  Indemnitees'  selection  of  counsel),
indemnify, pay and hold harmless Agents and Lenders, and the officers, partners,
directors,  employees,  agents  and  affiliates  of any of  Agents  and  Lenders
(collectively   called  the  "INDEMNITEES"),   from  and  against  any  and  all
Indemnified  Liabilities (as hereinafter  defined);  provided that Company shall
not  have  any  obligation  to any  Indemnitee  hereunder  with  respect  to any
Indemnified  Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise solely
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of that Indemnitee as determined
by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

         As used herein, "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" means, collectively,  any and
all  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages  (including  natural  resource
damages),  penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims (including Environmental
Claims),  costs  (including  the costs of any  investigation,  study,  sampling,
testing,  abatement,  cleanup,  removal,  remediation or other  response  action
necessary  to  remove,  remediate,  clean up or abate  any  Hazardous  Materials
Activity),   expenses  and  disbursements  of  any  kind  or  nature  whatsoever
(including the 


                                      150
<PAGE>

reasonable fees and  disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with
any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened
by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party
or a potential party thereto,  and any fees or expenses  incurred by Indemnitees
in enforcing this  indemnity),  whether direct,  indirect or  consequential  and
whether  based  on any  federal,  state  or  foreign  laws,  statutes,  rules or
regulations  (including  securities  and  commercial  laws,  statutes,  rules or
regulations  and  Environmental  Laws),  on common law or equitable  cause or on
contract or otherwise,  that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against
any such  Indemnitee,  in any  manner  relating  to or  arising  out of (i) this
Agreement or the other Revolving Loan Documents or the Related Agreements or the
transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby  (including  Lenders' agreement to
make the  Revolving  Loans  hereunder or the use or intended use of the proceeds
thereof or the  issuance of Letters of Credit  hereunder  or the use or intended
use of any thereof,  or any  enforcement  of any of the Revolving Loan Documents
(including any sale of,  collection  from, or other  realization upon any of the
Collateral or the enforcement of the Subsidiary Guaranty)),  (ii) the statements
contained  in the  commitment  letter  delivered  by any Lender to Company  with
respect thereto,  or (iii) any  Environmental  Claim or any Hazardous  Materials
Activity  relating  to or arising  from,  directly  or  indirectly,  any past or
present activity,  operation,  land ownership,  or practice of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries.

         To the extent that the undertakings to defend,  indemnify, pay and hold
harmless set forth in this subsection 10.3 may be  unenforceable  in whole or in
part  because  they are  violative of any law or public  policy,  Company  shall
contribute  the maximum  portion that it is  permitted to pay and satisfy  under
applicable law to the payment and  satisfaction of all  Indemnified  Liabilities
incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

10.4     SET-OFF; SECURITY INTEREST IN DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.

         In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law
and not by way of  limitation  of any such rights,  upon the  occurrence  of any
Event of Default each Lender is hereby authorized by Company at any time or from
time to time, subject to the consent of Administrative  Agent, without notice to
Company or to any other  Person  (other  than  Administrative  Agent),  any such
notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply
any and all deposits (general or special,  including  Indebtedness  evidenced by
certificates of deposit,  whether matured or unmatured,  but not including trust
accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by that Lender to
or for the  credit or the  account  of  Company  against  and on  account of the
obligations and liabilities of Company to that Lender under this Agreement,  the
Letters  of Credit  and  participations  therein  and the other  Revolving  Loan
Documents,  including all claims of any nature or description  arising out of or
connected with this Agreement,  the Letters of Credit and participations therein
or any other  Revolving Loan Document,  irrespective  of whether or not (i) that
Lender  shall have made any demand  hereunder  or (ii) the  principal  of or the
interest  on the  Revolving  Loans or any  amounts in respect of the  Letters of
Credit or any other  amounts  due  hereunder  shall have  become due and payable
pursuant to Section 8 and 


                                      151
<PAGE>

although said obligations and liabilities,  or any of them, may be contingent or
unmatured.  Company hereby further grants to Collateral  Agent and each Lender a
security  interest in all deposits and accounts  maintained with  Administrative
Agent or such Lender as security for the Obligations.

10.5     RATABLE SHARING.

         Lenders  hereby  agree  among  themselves  that if any of  them  shall,
whether by voluntary  payment  (other than a voluntary  prepayment  of Revolving
Loans  made and  applied in  accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement),  by
realization  upon  security,  through  the  exercise  of any right of set-off or
banker's  lien, by  counterclaim  or cross action or by the  enforcement  of any
right under the Revolving Loan Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection
of a deposit  treated as cash  collateral  under the  Bankruptcy  Code,  receive
payment or reduction  of a  proportion  of the  aggregate  amount of  principal,
interest,  amounts  payable in  respect  of  Letters  of Credit,  fees and other
amounts then due and owing to that Lender hereunder or under the other Revolving
Loan Documents (collectively,  the "AGGREGATE AMOUNTS DUE" to such Lender) which
is greater  than the  proportion  received by any other Lender in respect of the
Aggregate  Amounts  Due to such other  Lender,  then the Lender  receiving  such
proportionately  greater payment shall (i) notify  Administrative Agent and each
other  Lender of the  receipt of such  payment  and (ii) apply a portion of such
payment to purchase  participations  (which it shall be deemed to have purchased
from each  seller of a  participation  simultaneously  upon the  receipt by such
seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other
Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate  Amounts Due shall be shared by
all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided that if
all or part of such proportionately  greater payment received by such purchasing
Lender  is  thereafter  recovered  from  such  Lender  upon  the  bankruptcy  or
reorganization  of Company or otherwise,  those purchases shall be rescinded and
the  purchase  prices  paid for such  participations  shall be  returned to such
purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery,  but without interest.
Company  expressly  consents to the  foregoing  arrangement  and agrees that any
holder of a  participation  so  purchased  may  exercise  any and all  rights of
banker's lien,  set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing
by Company to that holder with  respect  thereto as fully as if that holder were
owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

10.6     AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.

         A. No amendment,  modification,  termination or waiver of any provision
of the  Revolving  Loan  Documents,  or consent to any  departure by the Company
therefrom,  shall in any event be effective  without the written  concurrence of
Requisite Lenders; provided that no such amendment,  modification,  termination,
waiver or consent  shall,  without the consent of each Lender (with  Obligations
directly  affected  in the case of the  following  clause  (i)):  (i) extend the
scheduled  final maturity of any Revolving Loan or Revolving Note, or extend the
stated  expiration  date of any  Letter  of Credit  beyond  the  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  Termination  Date,  or reduce the rate of interest on any  Revolving
Loan (other 


                                      152
<PAGE>

than any waiver of any increase in the interest rate applicable to any Revolving
Loan pursuant to  subsection  2.2E) or any  commitment  fees or letter of credit
fees payable  hereunder,  or extend the time for payment of any such interest or
fees, or reduce the principal amount of any Revolving Loan or any  reimbursement
obligation in respect of any Letter of Credit, (ii) amend, modify,  terminate or
waive any  provision  of this  subsection  10.6,  (iii)  reduce  the  percentage
specified in the definition of "Requisite  Lenders" (it being  understood  that,
with the consent of Requisite Lenders,  additional extensions of credit pursuant
to this Agreement may be included in the determination of "Requisite Lenders" on
substantially the same basis as the Revolving Loan Commitments and the Revolving
Loans are  included on the Closing  Date),  (iv)  consent to the  assignment  or
transfer  by the  Company  of  any of its  rights  and  obligations  under  this
Agreement or (v) release all or substantially  all the Liens granted pursuant to
the Collateral  Documents  (including  Liens on real property) or to release any
Subsidiary  from the  Subsidiary  Guaranty if such  release  would  constitute a
release of all or substantially all of the Collateral; provided, further that no
such  amendment,  modification,  termination  or waiver  shall (1)  increase the
Revolving Loan  Commitments of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect
without  the  consent of such  Lender (it being  understood  that no  amendment,
modification or waiver of any condition precedent,  covenant, Potential Event of
Default or Event of Default shall  constitute an increase in the Revolving  Loan
Commitment of any Lender,  and that no increase in the available  portion of any
Revolving  Loan  Commitment  of any Lender shall  constitute an increase in such
Revolving Loan Commitment of such Lender); (2) amend, modify, terminate or waive
any obligation of Lenders relating to the purchase of  participations in Letters
of Credit as provided in  subsection  3.1C  without the written  concurrence  of
Administrative  Agent and of each  Issuing  Lender  which has a Letter of Credit
then  outstanding or which has not been  reimbursed for a drawing under a Letter
of Credit issued it; or (3) amend,  modify,  terminate or waive any provision of
Section 9 as the same  applies  to any  Agent,  or any other  provision  of this
Agreement as the same applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each
case without the consent of such Agent.

         B. Administrative  Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the
concurrence  of  any  Lender,  execute  amendments,  modifications,  waivers  or
consents on behalf of that Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No
notice to or demand on the  Company  in any case  shall  entitle  Company to any
other or  further  notice or  demand  in  similar  or other  circumstances.  Any
amendment,  modification,  termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance
with  this  subsection  10.6  shall be  binding  upon  each  Lender  at the time
outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by Company, the Company.

10.7     INDEPENDENCE OF COVENANTS.

         All covenants  hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a
particular  action or condition is not permitted by any of such  covenants,  the
fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within
the limitations of, another  


                                      153
<PAGE>

covenant  shall not avoid the  occurrence  of an Event of Default  or  Potential
Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

10.8     NOTICES.

         Unless  otherwise  specifically  provided  herein,  any notice or other
communication  herein  required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail
or courier  service  and shall be deemed to have been given  when  delivered  in
person or by courier  service,  upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three
Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid
and properly addressed; provided that notices to Arranger,  Syndication Agent or
Administrative  Agent shall not be effective  until  received.  For the purposes
hereof,  the  address  of each  party  hereto  shall be as set forth  under such
party's  name  on  the  signature   pages  hereof  or  (i)  as  to  Company  and
Administrative  Agent,  such other address as shall be designated by such Person
in a written  notice  delivered to the other parties  hereto and (ii) as to each
other  party,  such  other  address  as shall be  designated  by such party in a
written notice delivered to Administrative Agent and Company.

10.9     SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.

         A.  All representations,  warranties and  agreements  made herein shall
survive  the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  and the making of the
Revolving Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit hereunder.

         B.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or implied by law to the
contrary,  the agreements of Company set forth in subsections  2.6D,  2.7, 3.5A,
3.6, 10.2,  10.3 and 10.4 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in subsections
9.2C,  9.4 and 10.5 shall  survive  the  payment  of the  Revolving  Loans,  the
cancellation or expiration of the Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any
amounts drawn thereunder, and the termination of this Agreement.

10.10    FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.

         No failure or delay on the part of  Administrative  Agent or any Lender
in the exercise of any power,  right or  privilege  hereunder or under any other
Revolving  Loan  Document  shall  impair such power,  right or  privilege  or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence  therein,  nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power,  right or privilege preclude other
or further  exercise  thereof or of any other  power,  right or  privilege.  All
rights and remedies  existing under this Agreement and the other  Revolving Loan
Documents  are  cumulative  to, and not  exclusive  of,  any rights or  remedies
otherwise available.

                                      154
<PAGE>

10.11    MARSHALLING; PAYMENTS SET ASIDE.

         Neither  Administrative  Agent  nor  any  Lender  shall  be  under  any
obligation  to marshal  any  assets in favor of  Company  or any other  party or
against  or in  payment of any or all of the  Obligations.  To the  extent  that
Company  makes a payment or payments to  Administrative  Agent or Lenders (or to
Administrative  Agent for the benefit of Lenders),  or  Administrative  Agent or
Lenders enforce any security  interests or exercise their rights of setoff,  and
such  payment or payments or the proceeds of such  enforcement  or setoff or any
part  thereof  are  subsequently  invalidated,  declared  to  be  fraudulent  or
preferential,  set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee,  receiver or
any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common
law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation
or part thereof originally  intended to be satisfied,  and all Liens, rights and
remedies  therefor or related  thereto,  shall be revived and  continued in full
force  and  effect  as if such  payment  or  payments  had not been made or such
enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

10.12    SEVERABILITY.

         In case any  provision  in or  obligation  under this  Agreement or the
Revolving Notes shall be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction,
the  validity,  legality  and  enforceability  of the  remaining  provisions  or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

10.13    OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL; INDEPENDENT NATURE OF LENDERS' RIGHTS.

         The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall be
responsible  for the  obligations  or Revolving  Loan  Commitments  of any other
Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no
action  taken  by  Lenders  pursuant  hereto  or  thereto,  shall be  deemed  to
constitute  Lenders as a  partnership,  an  association,  a joint venture or any
other kind of entity.  The amounts  payable at any time hereunder to each Lender
shall be a separate and  independent  debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to
protect and enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement and it shall not be
necessary  for any  other  Lender to be  joined  as an  additional  party in any
proceeding for such purpose.

10.14    HEADINGS.

         Section and subsection  headings in this Agreement are included  herein
for  convenience  of  reference  only and  shall not  constitute  a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

                                      155
<PAGE>

10.15    APPLICABLE LAW.

         THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES  HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED  AND ENFORCED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,
THE  INTERNAL  LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK  (INCLUDING  SECTION  5-1401 OF THE
GENERAL  OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK),  WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

10.16    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         This  Agreement  shall be  binding  upon the  parties  hereto and their
respective  successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and the  successors  and  assigns of Lenders  (it being  understood  that
Lenders' rights of assignment are subject to subsection 10.1). Neither Company's
rights or  obligations  hereunder  nor any  interest  therein may be assigned or
delegated by Company without the prior written consent of all Lenders.

10.17    CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.

         ALL JUDICIAL  PROCEEDINGS  BROUGHT  AGAINST  COMPANY  ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING  TO THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OTHER  LOAN  DOCUMENT,  OR ANY  OBLIGATIONS
THEREUNDER,  MAY  BE  BROUGHT  IN  ANY  STATE  OR  FEDERAL  COURT  OF  COMPETENT
JURISDICTION  IN THE  STATE,  COUNTY  AND CITY OF NEW  YORK.  BY  EXECUTING  AND
DELIVERING  THIS  AGREEMENT,  COMPANY,  FOR  ITSELF AND IN  CONNECTION  WITH ITS
PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

                  (I) ACCEPTS  GENERALLY AND  UNCONDITIONALLY  THE  NONEXCLUSIVE
         JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

                  (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

                  (III)   AGREES  THAT  SERVICE  OF  ALL  PROCESS  IN  ANY  SUCH
         PROCEEDING  IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY  REGISTERED  OR  CERTIFIED
         MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT  REQUESTED,  TO COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN
         ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION 10.8;

                  (IV) AGREES THAT  SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
         SUFFICIENT  TO CONFER  PERSONAL  JURISDICTION  OVER COMPANY IN ANY SUCH
         PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE  CONSTITUTES  EFFECTIVE AND
         BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

                                      156
<PAGE>

                  (V) AGREES THAT LENDERS  RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE  PROCESS IN
         ANY  OTHER  MANNER  PERMITTED  BY LAW OR TO BRING  PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST
         COMPANY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

                  (VI)  AGREES  THAT THE  PROVISIONS  OF THIS  SUBSECTION  10.17
         RELATING TO JURISDICTION  AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO
         THE FULLEST EXTENT  PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL  OBLIGATIONS LAW
         SECTION 5-1402 OR OTHERWISE.

10.18    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

         EACH OF THE  PARTIES  TO THIS  AGREEMENT  HEREBY  AGREES  TO WAIVE  ITS
RESPECTIVE  RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS  AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER  REVOLVING  LOAN DOCUMENTS OR
ANY  DEALINGS  BETWEEN  THEM  RELATING  TO  THE  SUBJECT  MATTER  OF  THIS  LOAN
TRANSACTION OR THE LENDER/BORROWER  RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED.  The
scope of this waiver is intended to be  all-encompassing of any and all disputes
that may be filed in any court and that  relate  to the  subject  matter of this
transaction,  including contract claims, tort claims,  breach of duty claims and
all other common law and statutory claims.  Each party hereto  acknowledges that
this waiver is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that
each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that
each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each
party hereto further  warrants and  represents  that it has reviewed this waiver
with its legal  counsel and that it knowingly  and  voluntarily  waives its jury
trial  rights  following   consultation  with  legal  counsel.  THIS  WAIVER  IS
IRREVOCABLE,  MEANING  THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED  EITHER  ORALLY OR IN WRITING
(OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SUBSECTION
10.18 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES  HERETO),  AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY
TO ANY SUBSEQUENT  AMENDMENTS,  RENEWALS,  SUPPLEMENTS OR  MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER REVOLVING LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS
OR  AGREEMENTS  RELATING  TO THE  OBLIGATIONS  MADE  HEREUNDER.  In the event of
litigation,  this Agreement may be filed as a written  consent to a trial by the
court.

10.19    CONFIDENTIALITY.

         Each Lender shall hold all non-public  information obtained pursuant to
the  requirements of this Agreement in accordance  with such Lender's  customary
procedures  for  handling  confidential   information  of  this  nature  and  in
accordance  with safe and sound banking  practices  (and any Lender without such
customary  procedures  agrees to keep such information  confidential),  it being
understood and agreed by Company that in any event a Lender may make disclosures
to Affiliates or Related Funds of such Lender or disclosures 


                                      157
<PAGE>

reasonably  required by any bona fide  assignee,  transferee or  participant  in
connection  with the  contemplated  assignment or transfer by such Lender of any
Revolving Loans or any participations  therein (so long as such Persons agree in
advance  in  writing  to keep  such  information  confidential)  or  disclosures
required or requested by any governmental  agency or  representative  thereof or
pursuant to legal process;  provided  that,  unless  specifically  prohibited by
applicable  law or court order,  each Lender shall notify Company of any request
by any  governmental  agency  or  representative  thereof  (other  than any such
request in connection  with any  examination of the financial  condition of such
Lender  by such  governmental  agency)  for  disclosure  of any such  non-public
information prior to disclosure of such information;  and provided, further that
in no event shall any Lender be  obligated  or required to return any  materials
furnished by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

10.20    COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.

         This  Agreement and any  amendments,  waivers,  consents or supplements
hereto or in connection  herewith may be executed in any number of  counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,  each of which when so
executed and delivered  shall be deemed an original,  but all such  counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same  instrument;  signature pages may
be  detached  from  multiple  separate  counterparts  and  attached  to a single
counterpart  so that all  signature  pages are  physically  attached to the same
document.  This  Agreement  shall  become  effective  upon  the  execution  of a
counterpart  hereof by each of the  parties  hereto and  receipt by Company  and
Administrative Agent of written or telephonic authorization of delivery thereof.

         It is the  intention  of each of the parties  hereto that the  Existing
Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement  be amended and restated so as to preserve the
perfection  and priority of all security  interests  securing  indebtedness  and
obligations  under the Existing  Revolving  Loan Credit  Agreement and the other
Loan  Documents and that all  indebtedness  and  obligations  of Company and its
Subsidiaries  hereunder  and  thereunder  shall  be  secured  by the  Collateral
Documents  and that  this  Agreement  shall not  constitute  a  novation  of the
obligations  and liabilities  existing under the Existing  Revolving Loan Credit
Agreement or be deemed to evidence or constitute repayment of all or any portion
of any such obligations or liabilities.  The parties hereto further  acknowledge
and agree that this Agreement constitutes an amendment of the Existing Revolving
Loan Credit Agreement made under the terms of subsection 10.6 thereof.

         This  Agreement  shall  become   effective  upon  the  execution  of  a
counterpart  hereof by Company,  Administrative  Agent,  Arranger and  Requisite
Lenders  (as  such  term  is  defined  in the  Existing  Revolving  Loan  Credit
Agreement)  and  receipt  by  Company  and  Administrative  Agent of  written or
telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof;
provided  that,  unless and until all of the conditions set forth in subsections
4.1 and 4.2 have been satisfied or waived in accordance  with subsection 10.6 of
the Existing Revolving Loan Credit Agreement, the Existing Revolving Loan Credit

                                      158
<PAGE>

Agreement  shall remain in full force and effect  without  giving  effect to the
amendments  set forth herein,  all as if this  Agreement had never been executed
and delivered.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


















                                      159
<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement  to be duly  executed  and  delivered  by  their  respective  officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

                  COMPANY:
                                      AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.



                                      By:/s/ James Harrison
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Name: James Harrison
                                         Title: President


                                      Notice Address:

                                      Amscan Holdings, Inc.
                                      80 Grasslands Road
                                      Elmsford, New York 10523
                                      Attention: James M. Harrison
                                      Telecopy: (914) 345-2056







                                      S-1
<PAGE>


         AGENTS AND LENDERS:
                                      GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
                                      as Arranger and Syndication Agent



                                      By:/s/
                                         --------------------------------
                                         Authorized Signatory


                                      Notice Address:

                                      Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
                                      16th Floor
                                      85 Broad Street
                                      New York, New York  10004
                                      Attention: Stephen King (Credit)
                                      Telecopy: (212) 902-2417

                                      With a copy to:

                                      Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
                                      27th Floor
                                      85 Broad Street
                                      New York, New York  10004
                                      Attention: Kathy King (Operations)
                                      Telecopy: (212) 902-3757







                                      S-2
<PAGE>

                                      FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                      individually and as Administrative Agent



                                      By:/s/ Stephen Curran
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Name:  Stephen Curran
                                         Title: AVP


                                      Notice Address:

                                      Fleet National Bank
                                      One Federal Street, 5th Floor
                                      Mail Stop MAOFD05P
                                      Boston, Massachusetts  02110
                                      Attention:  John Mann
                                      Telecopy: (617) 346-4682

                                      with a copy to:

                                      Fleet National Bank
                                      One Federal Street, 3rd Floor
                                      Mail Stop MAOFD03C
                                      Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                      Attention:  Steve Curran
                                      Telecopy: (617) 346-5093










                                      S-3
<PAGE>

                                      GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION



                                      By:/s/ Murry Stegelmann
                                         ---------------------------------
                                      Name:  Murry Stegelmann
                                      Title: Duly Auhtorized Signatory


                                      Notice Address:

                                      General Electric Capital Corporation
                                      201 High Ridge Road
                                      Stamford, CT 06927-5200
                                      Attention: Joseph Badini,
                                                 Associate
                                      Telecopy: (203) 316-7978
                            
                                      With a copy to:

                                      General Electric Capital Corporation
                                      201 High Ridge Road
                                      Stamford, CT 06927-5200
                                      Attention: Janet K. Williams,
                                                 Senior Vice President
                                      Telecopy: (203) 316-7978







                                      S-4
<PAGE>

                                      SOUTHERN PACIFIC BANK



                                      By:/s/ Cheryl A Wasilewski
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Name:  Cheryl A. Wasilewski
                                         Title: Vice President


                                      Notice Address:

                                      Southern Pacific Bank
                                      150 South Rodeo Drive, Suite 230
                                      Beverly Hills, CA 90212
                                      Attention: Cheryl Wasilewski
                                      Telecopy: (310) 246-3666













                                      S-5
<PAGE>

                                      TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION



                                      By:/s/ Perry Vavoules
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Name:  Perry Vavoules
                                         Title: Senior Vice President


                                      Notice Address:

                                      Transamerica Business Credit Corporation
                                      555 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite C-301
                                      Rye, New York 10580
                                      Attention: Perry Vavoules
















                                      S-6

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.2




================================================================================


                   AMENDED AND RESTATED AXEL CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 1998

                                     AMONG

                             AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.,
                                  AS BORROWER,

                           THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN,
                                  AS LENDERS,

                      GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
                       AS ARRANGER AND SYNDICATION AGENT,

                                      AND

                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT


================================================================================



<PAGE>

                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED AXEL CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE

                                   SECTION 1.
                                   DEFINITIONS...............................  3
         1.1      Certain Defined Terms......................................  3
         1.2      Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of 
                  Calculations Under Agreement............................... 39
         1.3      Other Definitional Provisions and Rules of Construction.... 39
 
                                   SECTION 2.
                    AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS............... 40
         2.1      Commitments; Making of Loans; the Register; Notes.......... 40
         2.2      Interest on the Loans...................................... 44
         2.3      Fees....................................................... 47
         2.4      Repayments,   Prepayments;  General  Provisions  
                  Regarding Payments; Application of Proceeds of Collateral 
                  and Payments Under Subsidiary  Guaranty.................... 47
         2.5      Use of Proceeds............................................ 53
         2.6      Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate AXELs......... 54
         2.7      Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy................... 56
         2.8      Obligation of Lenders to Mitigate.......................... 60
         2.9      Removal or Replacement of a Lender......................... 61

                                   SECTION 3.
            CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS; CONDITIONS TO ADDITIONAL AXELS...... 62
         3.1      Conditions to Effectiveness................................ 62
         3.2      Additional Conditions to AXELs............................. 71
 
                                   SECTION 4.
                     COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................ 72
         4.1      Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing, 
                  Business and Subsidiaries.................................. 72
         4.2      Authorization of Borrowing, etc............................ 73
         4.3      Financial Condition........................................ 75
         4.4      No Material Adverse Change................................. 76
         4.5      Title to Properties; Liens; Real Property.................. 76
         4.6      Litigation; Adverse Facts.................................. 77
         4.7      Payment of Taxes........................................... 77

                                      (i)
<PAGE>
                                                                            Page

         4.8      Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse Agreements; 
                  Material Contracts......................................... 77
         4.9      Governmental Regulation.................................... 78
         4.10     Securities Activities...................................... 78
         4.11     Employee Benefit Plans..................................... 78
         4.12     Certain Fees............................................... 79
         4.13     Environmental Protection................................... 79
         4.14     Employee Matters........................................... 80
         4.15     Solvency................................................... 80
         4.16     Matters Relating to Collateral............................. 80
         4.17     Related Agreements......................................... 81
         4.18     Disclosure................................................. 82
         4.19  Revolving Credit Agreement.................................... 82

                                   SECTION 5.
                           COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................... 83
         5.1      Financial Statements and Other Reports..................... 83
         5.2      Corporate Existence, etc................................... 89
         5.3      Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation............. 89
         5.4      Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Application of Net  
                  Insurance/CondemnationProceeds............................. 89
         5.5      Inspection Rights; Lender Meeting.......................... 91
         5.6      Compliance with Laws, etc.................................. 91
         5.7      Environmental Review and Investigation, Disclosure, Etc.; 
                  Company's Actions Regarding Hazardous Materials  Activities,  
                  Environmental  Claims and Violations of Environmental 
                  Laws....................................................... 92
         5.8      Execution of Subsidiary Guaranty and Personal Property 
                  Collateral  Documents by Certain Subsidiaries and 
                  Future Subsidiaries........................................ 94
         5.9      Conforming Leasehold Interests; Matters Relating to 
                  Additional Real Property Collateral........................ 96
         5.10     Interest Rate Protection................................... 99
         5.11     Cash Management System.....................................100
         5.12     Trademarks and Patents.....................................100

                                   SECTION 6.
                          COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS.......................100
         6.1      Iindebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock ..........100
         6.2      Liens and Related Matters .................................103
         6.3      Restricted Payments .......................................103
         6.4      Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting 
                  Subsidiaries...............................................106
         6.5      Restrictions on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales...........107
         6.6      Transactions with Affiliates...............................108

                                      (ii)
<PAGE>
                                                                            Page

         6.7      Asset Sales................................................109
         6.8      Amendments of Documents Relating to Subordinated 
                  Indebtedness...............................................109

                                   SECTION 7.
                                 EVENTS OF DEFAULT...........................110
         7.1      Failure to Make Payments When Due..........................110
         7.2      Default in Other Agreements................................110
         7.3      Breach of Certain Covenants................................110
         7.5      Other Defaults under AXEL Loan Documents...................111
         7.6      Judgments..................................................111
         7.7      Bankruptcy; Appointment of Custodian.......................111
         7.8      Invalidity of Subsidiary Guaranty..........................112
         7.9      Change in Control..........................................112

                                   SECTION 8.
                                     AGENTS..................................114
         8.1      Appointment................................................114
         8.2      Powers and Duties; General Immunity........................115
         8.3      Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For 
                  Appraisal of Creditworthiness..............................117
         8.4      Right to Indemnity.........................................117
         8.5      Successor Administrative Agent.............................117
         8.6      Collateral Documents and Guaranties........................118

                                   SECTION 9.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS..............................119
         9.1      Assignments and Participations in AXELs....................119
         9.2      Expenses...................................................122
         9.3      Indemnity..................................................123
         9.4      Set-Off; Security Interest in Deposit Accounts.............124
         9.5      Ratable Sharing............................................124
         9.6      Amendments and Waivers.....................................125
         9.7      Independence of Covenants..................................126
         9.8      Notices....................................................126
         9.9      Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.....126
         9.10     Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative......127
         9.11     Marshalling; Payments Set Aside............................127
         9.12     Severability...............................................127
         9.13     Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders' 
                  Rights.....................................................127
         9.14     Headings...................................................128
         9.15     Applicable Law.............................................128
         9.16     Successors and Assigns.....................................128

                                     (iii)
<PAGE>
                                                                            Page

         9.17     Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.............128
         9.18     Waiver of Jury Trial.......................................129
         9.19     Confidentiality............................................130
         9.20     Counterparts; Effectiveness................................130

                  Signature pages                                            S-1




















                                      (iv)
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBITS


I                 FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
II                FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
III               FORM OF AXEL NOTE
IV                FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
V-A               FORM OF OPINION OF WACHTELL, LIPTON ROSEN & KATZ
V-B               FORM OF OPINION OF KURZMAN & EISENBERG
VI                FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
VII               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
VIII              FORM OF CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS
IX                FORM OF FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE
X                 FORM OF COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XI                FORM OF COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XII               FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XIII              FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XIV               FORM OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XV                FORM OF MORTGAGE
XVI               FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCESS AGREEMENT
XVII              FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT






                                      (v)
<PAGE>


                                    SCHEDULES


2.1               LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
3.1C              CORPORATE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE; OWNERSHIP; MANAGEMENT
3.1E-I            INDEBTEDNESS TO BE REPAID UNDER EXISTING AMSCAN CREDIT 
                  AGREEMENTS
3.1E-II           INDEBTEDNESS TO BE REPAID UNDER EXISTING ANAGRAM CREDIT 
                  AGREEMENTS
4.1               SUBSIDIARIES OF COMPANY
4.5               REAL PROPERTY
4.6               LITIGATION
4.8               MATERIAL CONTRACTS
4.13              ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
5.11              CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
6.1               CERTAIN EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS












                                      (vi)
<PAGE>
                             AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED AXEL CREDIT AGREEMENT


         This  AMENDED  AND  RESTATED  AXEL  CREDIT  AGREEMENT  is  dated  as of
September  17, 1998 and  entered  into by and among  AMSCAN  HOLDINGS,  INC.,  a
Delaware corporation  ("COMPANY"),  GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P., ("GSCP")
as arranger (in such capacity,  "ARRANGER"),  and as syndication  agent (in such
capacity,  "SYNDICATION  AGENT"),  THE  FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS  LISTED  ON  THE
SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each, including GSCP and Fleet (as hereinafter defined),
individually  referred to herein as a "LENDER" and  collectively  as "LENDERS"),
and FLEET NATIONAL BANK ("FLEET"),  as administrative agent for Lenders (in such
capacity, "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").


                                 R E C I T A L S
                                 - - - - - - - - 

         WHEREAS, Company, Arranger, Syndication Agent, Administrative Agent and
certain financial institutions  ("EXISTING LENDERS") are parties to that certain
AXEL Credit  Agreement  dated as of December  19, 1997 (as  heretofore  amended,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified,  the  "EXISTING  AXEL CREDIT  AGREEMENT")
pursuant to which Existing  Lenders have extended  certain credit  facilities to
Company,  the proceeds of which were applied on the Closing Date (this and other
capitalized  terms  used in these  recitals  without  definition  being  used as
defined in subsection 1.1) to fund a portion of the  Recapitalization  Financing
Requirements;

         WHEREAS, Company is party to a separate Revolving Loan Credit Agreement
dated as of December 19, 1997 (as heretofore or hereafter amended, supplemented,
refinanced,  renewed or extended or otherwise  modified  from time to time,  the
"REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT") with Fleet National Bank, as administrative  agent
("REVOLVING  CREDIT  FACILITY  AGENT"),  Goldman Sachs Credit  Partners L.P., as
arranger and syndication agent, and the financial  institutions party thereto as
lenders ("REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS"), pursuant to which Revolving Credit Lenders
have  extended  certain  credit  facilities  to Company to fund a portion of the
Recapitalization  Financing  Requirements  and to provide  financing for working
capital,  the completion of Permitted Business  Acquisitions,  and other general
corporate purposes of Company and its Subsidiaries;

         WHEREAS, on the Closing Date, Administrative Agent and Revolving Credit
Facility  Agent  entered  into the  Intercreditor  Agreement  pursuant  to which
Administrative  Agent and Revolving  Credit  Facility Agent  appointed  Fleet to
serve as collateral  agent and  representative  (in such  capacity,  "COLLATERAL
AGENT") for Existing Lenders,  Revolving Credit Lenders,  Administrative  Agent,
Revolving  Credit  Facility  Agent and the other agents under 


<PAGE>

the  Existing  AXEL  Credit   Agreement  and  the  Revolving   Credit  Agreement
(collectively,  "SECURED  PARTIES") and agreed to the terms on which Collateral,
the benefits of guarantees and the proceeds thereof are to be shared between the
credit facilities;

         WHEREAS,  Company has secured all of the Obligations under the Existing
AXEL  Credit  Agreement  and under the  other  Loan  Documents  by  granting  to
Collateral  Agent,  on behalf  of  Secured  Parties,  a first  priority  Lien on
substantially all of its real,  personal and mixed property,  including a pledge
of all of the capital stock of each of its Domestic  Subsidiaries and 66% of the
capital stock of each of its Foreign Subsidiaries;

         WHEREAS,  all of the Domestic  Subsidiaries  of Company have guarantied
the  Obligations  under the Existing  AXEL Credit  Agreement and under the other
Loan Documents and secured their guaranties by granting to Collateral  Agent, on
behalf of Secured Parties,  a first priority Lien on substantially  all of their
respective personal and mixed property, including a pledge of all of the capital
stock of each of their respective  Domestic  Subsidiaries and 66% of the capital
stock of each of their respective Foreign Subsidiaries:

         WHEREAS, on the Restatement  Effective Date, Company intends to acquire
(the "ANAGRAM  ACQUISITION") all of the outstanding  Capital Stock (the "ANAGRAM
SHARES")  of  Anagram   International,   Inc.  and  certain  related   companies
(collectively,  "ANAGRAM") from Garry Kieves,  certain members of his family and
certain trusts  (collectively,  the "ANAGRAM  SELLERS")  pursuant to the Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement in exchange for  aggregate  consideration  consisting  of
$74,500,000  in cash plus 120 shares of  newly-issued  Company Common Stock (the
"NEW  COMPANY  SHARES")  plus  warrants to purchase 10 shares of Company  Common
Stock.

         WHEREAS,  Company  desires that Existing  Lenders and New Lenders amend
and restate the  Existing  AXEL Credit  Agreement in its entirety to provide for
Additional AXELs in an aggregate  principal amount of $40,000,000 to be added to
the  Existing  AXELs  and  made a part  of the  AXELs,  the  proceeds  of  which
Additional  AXELs,  together  with  (i)  cash on hand at the  Company  and  (ii)
proceeds of incremental  borrowings  under the Revolving  Credit Agreement in an
amount up to $23,500,000 plus the excess, if any, of $15,000,000 over the amount
of cash on hand at the Company on the  Restatement  Effective Date, will be used
(1) to fund the cash portion of the consideration  for the Anagram  Acquisition,
(2) to refinance certain existing  indebtedness of Anagram and its Subsidiaries,
and (3) to pay Anagram Transaction Costs;

         WHEREAS,  concurrently  with  the  amendment  and  restatement  of  the
Existing AXEL Credit Agreement,  Company and Revolving Credit Lenders will amend
and restate the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement in its entirety in order to permit
the  Additional  AXELs and the Anagram  Acquisition  and to make  certain  other
changes in connection therewith;

                                       2
<PAGE>

         WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not
constitute a novation of the  obligations  and  liabilities of the parties under
the  Existing  AXEL Credit  Agreement  or be deemed to  evidence  or  constitute
repayment of all or any portion of such  obligations  and  liabilities  and that
this  Agreement  amend and  restate in its  entirety  the  Existing  AXEL Credit
Agreement and re-evidence the Obligations of Company outstanding thereunder; and

         WHEREAS,  it is  the  intent  of  Loan  Parties  to  confirm  that  all
Obligations  of Loan Parties under the other Loan  Documents  shall  continue in
full force and effect and that,  from and after the  Restatement  Effective Date
all references to the "AXEL CREDIT AGREEMENT"  contained therein shall be deemed
to refer to this Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants  herein  contained,  Company,  Lenders and Agents agree
that on the Restatement  Effective Date the Existing AXEL Credit Agreement shall
be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:


                                   SECTION 1.
                                   DEFINITIONS

1.1      CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.

         The  following  terms used in this  Agreement  shall have the following
meanings:

                  "ACQUIRED DEBT" means,  with respect to any specified  Person,
         (i)  indebtedness  of any other Person  existing at the time such other
         Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such
         specified Person, including, without limitation,  Indebtedness incurred
         in connection with, or in  contemplation  of, such other Person merging
         with or into or  becoming a  Restricted  Subsidiary  of such  specified
         Person,  and (ii) Indebtedness  secured by a Lien encumbering any asset
         acquired by such specified Person.

                  "ADDITIONAL AXEL[Trademark]" or "ADDITIONAL  AXELS[Trademark]"
         means a loan made by a Lender to  Company as an  amortization  extended
         loan  pursuant to  subsection  2.1A(ii).  The term AXEL is a registered
         trademark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

                  "ADDITIONAL AXEL COMMITMENT" means a commitment of a Lender to
         make an  Additional  AXEL as set  forth  in  subsection  2.1A(ii),  and
         "ADDITIONAL AXEL COMMITMENTS"  means such commitments of all Lenders in
         the aggregate.

                  "ADDITIONAL  AXEL NOTES" means the promissory notes of Company
         issued pursuant to subsection  2.1E on the Restatement  Effective Date,
         substantially in the 


                                       3
<PAGE>

         form  of  Exhibit  III  annexed   hereto,   as  they  may  be  amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "ADJUSTED  EURODOLLAR  RATE"  means,  for  any  Interest  Rate
         Determination  Date with respect to an Interest Period for a Eurodollar
         Rate AXEL, the interest rate per annum (rounded  upward,  if necessary,
         to the nearest 1/32 of one percent) as  determined  on the basis of the
         offered  rates  for  deposits  in U.S.  dollars,  for a period  of time
         comparable to such  Interest  Period which appears on the Telerate Page
         3750 as of 11:00 a.m.  (New York  time) two  Business  Days  before the
         first day of such Interest Period; provided,  however, that if the rate
         described  above  does  not  appear  on  the  Telerate  System  on  any
         applicable  interest  determination  date, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate
         shall be the rate (rounded upward as described  above, if necessary for
         deposits  in U.S.  dollars  for a  period  substantially  equal  to the
         interest  period on the  Reuters  Page "LIBO" or such other page as may
         replace the LIBO page on that  service  for the  purpose of  displaying
         such rates),  as of 11:00 a.m.  (London  time) two Business Days before
         the first day of such Interest Period.

                  If both the Telerate and Reuters system are unavailable,  then
         the rate for that date will be  determined  on the basis of the offered
         rates for deposits in U.S.  dollars for a period of time  comparable to
         such  Interest  Period  which are  offered by four  major  banks in the
         London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York time) two
         Business Days before the first day of such Interest  Period as selected
         by the Administrative Agent. The principal London office of each of the
         four major London banks will be requested to provide a quotation of its
         U.S.  dollar deposit  offered rate. If at least two such quotations are
         provided,  the rate for that  date will be the  arithmetic  mean of the
         quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided as requested, the
         rate for the date will be  determined  on the basis of the rates quoted
         for loans in U.S.  dollars  to leading  European  banks for a period of
         time  comparable to such Interest  Period offered by major banks in New
         York City at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York time) two Business Days
         before  the  first  day of such  Interest  Period.  In the  event  that
         Administrative Agent is unable to obtain any such quotation as provided
         above,  it will be deemed that the  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate for such
         Interest Rate cannot be determined.

                  In the  event  that the  Board  of  Governors  of the  Federal
         Reserve System shall impose a Eurodollar  Rate Reserve  Percentage with
         respect to Eurocurrency  Liabilities,  the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for
         an Interest  Period shall be equal to the amount  determined  above for
         such Interest  Period  divided by a percentage  equal to 100% minus the
         Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage for such Interest Period.

                  "ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT" has the meaning  assigned to that term
         in the  introduction  to this Agreement and also means and includes any
         successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to subsection 8.5A.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                  "AFFECTED  LENDER"  has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.6C.

                  "AFFILIATE"  of any  specified  Person  means any other Person
         directly or indirectly  controlling or controlled by or under direct or
         indirect  common  control with such specified  Person.  For purposes of
         this definition,  "control" (including,  with correlative meanings, the
         terms "controlling",  "controlled by" and "under common control with"),
         as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly
         or  indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the  direction  of the
         management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of
         voting securities, by agreement or otherwise;  provided that beneficial
         ownership of 10% or more of the voting  securities of a Person shall be
         deemed to be control.

                  "AFFILIATE  TRANSACTION" has the meaning assigned to that term
         in subsection 6.6.

                  "AGENT"  means,  individually,  each of Arranger,  Syndication
         Agent,  Collateral  Agent and  Administrative  Agent and "AGENTS" means
         Arranger, Syndication Agent, Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent,
         collectively.

                  "AGREEMENT"  means  this  Amended  and  Restated  AXEL  Credit
         Agreement  dated  as of  September  17,  1998,  as it may  be  amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "ANAGRAM"  has  the  meaning  assigned  to  such  term  in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                  "ANAGRAM ACQUISITION" has the meaning assigned to such term in
         the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "ANAGRAM  ACQUISITION  AGREEMENT"  means  the  Stock  Purchase
         Agreement  dated as of  August 6,  1998 by and  among  Company  and the
         Anagram Sellers and all exhibits and schedules thereto.

                  "ANAGRAM  HEADQUARTERS  FACILITY" means, as of the Restatement
         Effective  Date, the real property in Minnesota  owned in fee simple by
         Eden Prairie Holdings where Anagram's  headquarters  and  manufacturing
         site are located.

                  "ANAGRAM  INTERNATIONAL" means Anagram International,  Inc., a
         Minnesota corporation.

                  "ANAGRAM SELLERS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  "ANAGRAM  SHARES" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                  "ANAGRAM TRANSACTION COSTS" means the fees, costs and expenses
         payable by Company in connection with the transactions  contemplated by
         the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement,  including without  limitation any
         fees  payable  to  Agents  and  Lenders  on or before  the  Restatement
         Effective Date in connection therewith.

                  "ARRANGER"  has  the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term in the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "ASSET  SALE"  means  the  sale  by  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries   to  any  Person   other  than  Company  or  any  of  its
         wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  of (i) any of the stock of any of Company's
         Subsidiaries,  (ii)  substantially all of the assets of any division or
         line of  business of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or (iii) any
         other assets (whether  tangible or intangible) of Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries  (other than (a) inventory sold in the ordinary  course of
         business  (b) sales of Cash  Equivalents  (as defined in the  Revolving
         Credit  Agreement) for the fair market value thereof,  and (c) any such
         other assets to the extent that the aggregate value of such assets sold
         in any single transaction or related series of transactions is equal to
         $500,000 or less).

                  "ASSIGNMENT  AGREEMENT"  means (i) with  respect to the period
         ending on the Restatement  Effective  Date, an Assignment  Agreement in
         substantially  the form of Exhibit  VII  annexed to the  Existing  AXEL
         Credit  Agreement,  and (ii)  thereafter,  an  Assignment  Agreement in
         substantially the form of Exhibit VII annexed hereto.

                  "AUXILIARY  PLEDGE  AGREEMENT"  means each pledge agreement or
         similar  instrument  governed  by the laws of a country  other than the
         United  States,  executed on the Closing  Date  pursuant to  subsection
         3.1I(vii) of the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement or on the  Restatement
         Effective  Date  pursuant  to  subsection  3.1H(v) or from time to time
         thereafter in accordance with subsection 5.8 by Company or any Domestic
         Subsidiary that owns capital stock of one or more Foreign  Subsidiaries
         organized  in such  country,  in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to
         Collateral  Agent, as such Auxiliary  Pledge Agreement may hereafter be
         amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time,  and
         "AUXILIARY  PLEDGE  AGREEMENTS"  means all such  pledge  agreements  or
         instruments, collectively.

                  "AXEL" or "AXELS" means the Existing  AXELs and the Additional
         AXELs, collectively.

                  "AXEL  EXPOSURE"  means,  with respect to any Lender as of any
         date of determination (i) prior to the funding of the Additional AXELs,
         the  sum  of  that  Lender's   Additional   AXEL  Commitment  plus  the
         outstanding  principal amount of 


                                       6
<PAGE>

         the Existing  AXELs of that  Lender,  and (ii) after the funding of the
         Additional AXELs, the outstanding principal amount of the AXELs of that
         Lender.

                  "AXEL LOAN DOCUMENTS"  means this  Agreement,  the AXEL Notes,
         the  Subsidiary   Guaranty,   the  Collateral   Documents  any  Hedging
         Agreements with Lenders, and the Intercreditor Agreement.

                  "AXEL  NOTES"  means (i) the  Existing  AXEL  Notes,  (ii) the
         Additional AXEL Notes, and (iii) any promissory notes issued by Company
         pursuant to the last sentence of subsection  9.1B(i) in connection with
         assignments of the AXELs of any Lenders,  in each case substantially in
         the  form of  Exhibit  III  annexed  hereto,  as they  may be  amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "BANKRUPTCY  CODE"  means  Title 11 of the United  States Code
         entitled "Bankruptcy", as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor
         statute.

                  "BANKRUPTCY  LAW" means  title 11,  U.S.  Code or any  similar
         Federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

                  "BASE RATE"  means,  at any time,  the higher of (x) the Prime
         Rate or (y) the rate which is 1/2 of 1% in excess of the Federal  Funds
         Effective Rate.

                  "BASE  RATE  AXELS"  means  AXELs  bearing  interest  at rates
         determined  by  reference  to the Base Rate as provided  in  subsection
         2.2A.

                  "BUSINESS  DAY" means any day excluding  Saturday,  Sunday and
         any day  which is a legal  holiday  under  the laws of the State of New
         York or is a day on which  banking  institutions  located in such state
         are  authorized  or  required  by law or other  governmental  action to
         close.

                  "CAPITAL LEASE",  means, at any time any determination thereof
         is to be made,  the  amount of the  liability  in  respect of a capital
         lease  that  would at such  time be  required  to be  capitalized  on a
         balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

                  "CAPITAL  STOCK"  means  (i) in  the  case  of a  corporation,
         corporate stock, (ii) in the case of an association or business entity,
         any  and  all  shares,  interests,   participation,   rights  or  other
         equivalents  (however designated) of corporate stock, (iii) in the case
         of a partnership, partnership interests (whether of general or limited)
         and (iv) any other interest or  participation  that confers on a Person
         the  right  to  receive  a share  of the  profits  and  losses  of,  or
         distributions of assets of, the issuing Person (but excluding customary
         employee  incentive  or  bonus  arrangements,  and  customary  earn-out
         provisions  granted in connection  with  acquisition  transactions  and
         providing for aggregate payouts not in excess of $5,000,000 per year).

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  "CASH" means money,  currency or a credit balance in a Deposit
         Account.

                  "CASH  EQUIVALENTS"  means,  (i) United States  dollars,  (ii)
         securities  issued or directly and fully  guaranteed  or insured by the
         United  States  government  or any agency or  instrumentality  thereof,
         (iii)  certificates  of  deposit  and  eurodollar  time  deposits  with
         maturities of one year or less from the date of  acquisition,  bankers'
         acceptances  with  maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank
         deposits,  in each case  with any  domestic  bank  having  capital  and
         surplus in excess of $500  million and a Keefe Bank Watch Rating of "B"
         (or the equivalent rating under a substantially  similar ratings system
         if Keefe Bank Watch Ratings are no longer  published)  or better,  (iv)
         repurchase  obligations  with a term of not more  than  seven  days for
         underlying  securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii)
         above  entered  into  with  any  financial   institution   meeting  the
         qualifications specified in clause (iii) above and (v) commercial paper
         having the highest rating  obtainable from Moody's  Investors  Service,
         Inc.  or  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  (or in  their  absence,  an
         equivalent rating from another nationally  recognized securities rating
         agency)  and in each case  maturing  within  one year after the date of
         acquisition.

                  "CERTIFICATE  OF MERGER" means the Certificate of Merger dated
         as of December 19, 1997 for the Merger of Newco with and into  Company,
         as in effect on the Closing Date.

                  "CERTIFICATE   RE  NON-BANK   STATUS"   means  a   certificate
         substantially in the form of Exhibit VIII annexed hereto delivered by a
         Lender to Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii).

                  "CLOSING  DATE" means December 19, 1997, the date on which the
         initial AXELs were made under the Existing AXEL Credit Agreement.

                  "COLLATERAL"  means,  collectively,  all of the real, personal
         and  mixed  property  (including  capital  stock)  in which  Liens  are
         purported  to be  granted  pursuant  to  the  Collateral  Documents  as
         security for the Obligations.

                  "COLLATERAL  ACCESS  AGREEMENT"  means  any  landlord  waiver,
         mortgagee  waiver,  bailee  letter or any  similar  acknowledgement  or
         agreement  of any  landlord  in  respect  of any  Leased  Property,  or
         mortgagee in respect of any real  property,  in which Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries owns or holds a fee interest and which is subject to a
         mortgage,  held by such mortgagee,  in either case where any Collateral
         is located,  or any  warehouseman  or  processor in  possession  of any
         Inventory of any Loan Party,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit XVI
         annexed  hereto  with  such  changes  thereto  as may be  agreed  to by
         Collateral Agent in the reasonable exercise of its discretion.

                  "COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS" has the meaning assigned to that term in
         the Intercreditor Agreement.

                                       8
<PAGE>

                  "COLLATERAL  AGENT" has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         the introduction to this Agreement.

                  "COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS" means the Company Pledge Agreement, the
         Company  Security  Agreement,  the Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreements,  the
         Subsidiary  Security  Agreements,  the Subsidiary  Patent and Trademark
         Security Agreements, the Mortgages, the Auxiliary Pledge Agreements and
         all other instruments or documents delivered by any Loan Party pursuant
         to this  Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in order to grant
         to Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties,  a Lien on any real,
         personal  or mixed  property  of that Loan  Party as  security  for the
         Obligations.

                  "COMPANY"  means Company as the surviving  corporation  in the
         Merger.

                  "COMPANY  COMMON  STOCK"  means the shares of common  stock of
         Company par value $0.10 per share.

                  "COMPANY PLEDGE  AGREEMENT" means the Company Pledge Agreement
         executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in
         the form of Exhibit X annexed hereto,  as such Company Pledge Agreement
         may hereafter be amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified from time
         to time.

                  "COMPANY  SECURITY   AGREEMENT"  means  the  Company  Security
         Agreement  executed  and  delivered  by  Company on the  Closing  Date,
         substantially in the form of Exhibit XI annexed hereto, as such Company
         Security Agreement may hereafter be amended,  supplemented or otherwise
         modified from time to time.

                  "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate  substantially in
         the form of Exhibit IV annexed hereto delivered to Administrative Agent
         and Lenders by Company pursuant to subsection 5.1(iv).

                  "CONFIDENTIAL   INFORMATION  MEMORANDUM"  means  that  certain
         Confidential  Information  Memorandum  prepared by GSCP relating to the
         Existing AXELs and Revolving Loans dated November 1997.

                  "CONFORMING  LEASEHOLD  INTEREST" means any Recorded Leasehold
         Interest  as to which the lessor has agreed in writing  for the benefit
         of  Collateral  Agent (which  writing has been  delivered to Collateral
         Agent),  whether  under the terms of the  applicable  lease,  under the
         terms of a Landlord Consent and Estoppel, or otherwise,  to the matters
         described in the definition of "Landlord  Consent and Estoppel,"  which
         interest,  if a sub-leasehold  or  sub-sub-leasehold  interest,  is not
         subject to any contrary  restrictions  contained in a superior lease or
         sublease.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  "CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW" means, with respect to any Person for
         any period,  the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period
         plus (i) an amount  equal to any  extraordinary  loss plus any net loss
         realized  in  connection  with an Asset Sale (to the extent such losses
         were deducted in computing  such  Consolidated  Net Income),  plus (ii)
         provision  for taxes  based on income or profits of such Person and its
         Restricted  Subsidiaries  for such  period,  to the  extent  that  such
         provision  for taxes was deducted in computing  such  Consolidated  Net
         Income, plus (iii) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
         Restricted  Subsidiaries  for such period,  whether paid or accrued and
         whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization
         of original issue discount,  non-cash interest  payments,  the interest
         component of any deferred payment  obligations,  the interest component
         of all payments associated with Capital Leases, commissions,  discounts
         and other fees and  charges  incurred in respect of letter of credit or
         bankers' acceptance  financings,  and net payments (if any) pursuant to
         Hedging Obligations),  to the extent that any such expense was deducted
         in computing  such  Consolidated  Net Income,  plus (iv)  depreciation,
         amortization  (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles
         but excluding amortization of prepaid cash operating expenses that were
         paid in a prior  period)  and other  non-cash  charges of prepaid  cash
         operating expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash
         charges of such Person and its Restricted  Subsidiaries for such period
         to the extent that such  depreciation,  amortization and other non-cash
         charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income,  minus
         (v) cash outlays that were made by such Person or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries  during  such  period  in  respect  of any  item  that was
         reflected as a non-cash  charge in a prior  period,  provided that such
         non-cash  charge was added to  Consolidated  Net Income in  determining
         Consolidated Cash Flow for such prior period.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  EXCESS CASH FLOW" has the  meaning  assigned to
         that term under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement as in effect as of the
         Restatement Effective Date.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  FIXED CHARGES" means with respect to any Person
         for any period,  the sum of (i) the  consolidated  interest  expense of
         such Person and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  for such period,  whether
         paid  or  accrued  (including,  without  limitation,   amortization  of
         original  issue  discount,  non-cash  interest  payments,  the interest
         component of any deferred payment  obligations,  the interest component
         of all payments associated with Capital Leases, commissions,  discounts
         and other fees and  charges  incurred in respect of letter of credit or
         bankers' acceptance  financings,  and net payments (if any) pursuant to
         Hedging Obligations) and (ii) the consolidated interest expense of such
         Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such
         period,  and (iii) any  interest  expense  on  Indebtedness  of another
         Person  that is  Guaranteed  by such  Person  or one of its  Restricted
         Subsidiaries  or secured  by a Lien on assets of such  Person or one of
         its Restricted  Subsidiaries  (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is
         called  upon) and (iv) the  product of (a) all cash  


                                       10
<PAGE>

         dividend  payments  (and  non-cash  dividend  payments in the case of a
         Person that is a Restricted  Subsidiary)  paid to any Person other than
         Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary on any series of Preferred Stock of
         such Person,  times (b) a fraction,  the  numerator of which is one and
         the denominator of which is one minus the then current  combined annual
         federal,  state and local  statutory tax rate of such Person paying the
         dividend, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis
         and in accordance with GAAP.

                  "CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO" has the meaning assigned to that
         term in the Revolving Credit Agreement as of the Restatement  Effective
         Date.

                  "CONSOLIDATED  NET INCOME"  means,  with respect to any Person
         for any period,  the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its
         Restricted  Subsidiaries  for such  period,  on a  consolidated  basis,
         determined  in accordance  with GAAP;  provided that (i) the Net Income
         (but not loss) for such period of any Person  that is not a  Restricted
         Subsidiary  or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting
         shall be  included  only to the  extent of the amount of  dividends  or
         distributions  paid in cash to the  referent  Person or a Wholly  Owned
         Restricted  Subsidiary  thereof,  (ii) the Net Income of any Restricted
         Subsidiary  shall be  excluded to the extent  that the  declaration  or
         payment  of  dividends  or  similar  distributions  by that  Restricted
         Subsidiary  of that  Net  Income  is not at the  date of  determination
         permitted  without any prior  governmental  approval (that has not been
         obtained) or, directly or indirectly,  by operation of the terms of its
         charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute,
         rule  or   governmental   regulation   applicable  to  that  Restricted
         Subsidiary  or its  stockholders,  (iii) the Net  Income of any  Person
         acquired in a pooling of interests  transaction for any period prior to
         the date of such  acquisition  shall be excluded,  (iv) the  cumulative
         effect of a change in accounting  principles  shall be excluded and (v)
         the Net  Income  of any  Unrestricted  Subsidiary  shall  be  excluded,
         whether  or not  distributed  to  Company  or  one  of  its  Restricted
         Subsidiaries.

                  "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION",  as applied to any Person, means any
         provision  of any  Security  issued by that  Person or of any  material
         indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or
         other  instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any
         of its  properties is bound or to which it or any of its  properties is
         subject.

                  "CURRENCY  AGREEMENT"  means any  foreign  exchange  contract,
         currency swap agreement,  futures contract, option contract,  synthetic
         cap or other similar  agreement or  arrangement to which Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries is a party.

                  "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" means a demand,  time, savings,  passbook or
         like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or
         like  organization,  other than an account  evidenced  by a  negotiable
         certificate of deposit.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  "DISQUALIFIED  STOCK"  means any Capital  Stock  that,  by its
         terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is  convertible or
         for which it is  exchangeable),  or upon the  happening  of any  event,
         matures  or is  mandatorily  redeemable,  pursuant  to a  sinking  fund
         obligation  or  otherwise,  or  redeemable  at the option of the holder
         thereof,  in  whole or in  part,  on or prior to the date on which  the
         AXELs mature.

                  "DOLLARS" and the sign "$" mean the lawful money of the United
         States of America.

                  "DOMESTIC  SUBSIDIARY"  means a Subsidiary  of Company that is
         organized  under  the  laws  of a state  of the  United  States  or the
         District of Columbia.

                  "EDEN PRAIRIE  HOLDINGS"  means Anagram Eden Prairie  Property
         Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

                  "ELIGIBLE  ASSIGNEE" means (A) (i) a commercial bank organized
         under  the laws of the  United  States  or any  state  thereof;  (ii) a
         savings and loan  association or savings bank organized  under the laws
         of the United  States or any state  thereof;  (iii) a  commercial  bank
         organized   under  the  laws  of  any  other  country  or  a  political
         subdivision  thereof;  provided that (x) such bank is acting  through a
         branch  or  agency  located  in the  United  States or (y) such bank is
         organized  under  the  laws  of a  country  that  is a  member  of  the
         Organization  for Economic  Cooperation  and Development or a political
         subdivision  of such  country;  and (iv) any other  entity  which is an
         "accredited  investor" (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities
         Act)  which  extends  credit  or buys  loans  as one of its  businesses
         including  insurance  companies,   mutual  funds  and  lease  financing
         companies; and (B) any Lender, and any Related Fund or any Affiliate of
         any Lender;  provided that no Loan Party or any  Subsidiary of any Loan
         Party shall be an Eligible Assignee.

                  "EMPLOYEE  BENEFIT PLAN" means any "employee  benefit plan" as
         defined  in  Section  3(3)  of  ERISA  which  is or was  maintained  or
         contributed  to by  Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their
         respective ERISA Affiliates.

                  "EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENTS" means,  collectively,  the employment
         agreements  and stock and option  agreements  between  the  Company and
         certain  employees of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.1C annexed
         hereto, in certain cases providing for the exclusive employment of such
         Persons by Company, in the form provided to Arranger and Administrative
         Agent pursuant to subsection 3.1C of the Existing AXEL Credit Agreement
         on or prior to the Closing Date or pursuant to subsection  3.1C of this
         Agreement on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any investigation,  notice, notice
         of violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding,  demand, abatement order
         or  other  order  or  directive  (conditional  or  otherwise),  by  any
         governmental  authority or any other Person, arising 


                                       12
<PAGE>

         (i) pursuant to or in connection  with any actual or alleged  violation
         of any  Environmental  Law,  (ii)  in  connection  with  any  Hazardous
         Materials or any actual or alleged  Hazardous  Materials  Activity,  or
         (iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage,  injury,  threat
         or harm to natural resources or the environment.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL  LAWS"  means  any and all  current  or  future
         statutes, ordinances,  orders, rules, regulations,  guidance documents,
         judgments,  Governmental  Authorizations,  or any other requirements of
         governmental   authorities  relating  to  (i)  environmental   matters,
         including those relating to any Hazardous Materials Activity,  (ii) the
         generation,  use,  storage,  transportation  or disposal  of  Hazardous
         Materials, or (iii) occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene,
         land use or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare,
         in any manner  applicable to Company or any of its  Subsidiaries or any
         Facility,   including   the   Comprehensive   Environmental   Response,
         Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. [Section] 9601 et seq.), the
         Hazardous  Materials  Transportation  Act (49 U.S.C.  [Section] 1801 et
         seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C.  [Section]
         6901 et seq.),  the  Federal  Water  Pollution  Control  Act (33 U.S.C.
         [Section] 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. [Section] 7401 et
         seq.),  the Toxic Substances  Control Act (15 U.S.C.  [Section] 2601 et
         seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
         [Section]  136 et seq.),  the  Occupational  Safety  and Health Act (29
         U.S.C.  [Section]  651 et  seq.),  the Oil  Pollution  Act  (33  U.S.C.
         [Section]  2701  et seq)  and  the  Emergency  Planning  and  Community
         Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C.  [Section] 11001 et seq.), each as amended
         or  supplemented,  any  analogous  present  or  future  state  or local
         statutes or laws, and any  regulations  promulgated  pursuant to any of
         the foregoing.

                  "EQUITY  INTERESTS"  means  Capital  Stock  and all  warrants,
         options or other rights to acquire  Capital  Stock (but  excluding  any
         debt security that is convertible  into, or exchangeable  for,  Capital
         Stock).

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

                  "ERISA  AFFILIATE"  means,  as applied to any Person,  (i) any
         corporation  which is a member of a  controlled  group of  corporations
         within the meaning of Section  414(b) of the  Internal  Revenue Code of
         which that Person is a member;  (ii) any trade or business  (whether or
         not incorporated)  which is a member of a group of trades or businesses
         under  common  control  within the  meaning  of  Section  414(c) of the
         Internal  Revenue Code of which that Person is a member;  and (iii) any
         member of an  affiliated  service  group  within the meaning of Section
         414(m) or (o) of the Internal  Revenue  Code of which that Person,  any
         corporation  described  in clause  (i)  above or any trade or  business
         described in clause (ii) above is a member.  Any former ERISA Affiliate
         of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall continue to be considered
         an ERISA Affiliate of Company or such Subsidiary  within the meaning of
         this  definition  with  respect to the period  such entity was an ERISA
         Affiliate of 


                                       13
<PAGE>

         Company or such  Subsidiary  and with  respect to  liabilities  arising
         after such period for which Company or such Subsidiary  could be liable
         under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

                  "ERISA  EVENT"  means  (i) a  "reportable  event"  within  the
         meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations  issued thereunder
         with  respect  to any  Pension  Plan  (excluding  those  for  which the
         provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation);
         (ii) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of
         the Internal  Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or
         not waived in accordance  with Section  412(d) of the Internal  Revenue
         Code) or the  failure  to make by its due date a  required  installment
         under Section  412(m) of the Internal  Revenue Code with respect to any
         Pension  Plan or the  failure to make any  required  contribution  to a
         Multiemployer  Plan;  (iii) the provision by the  administrator  of any
         Pension  Plan  pursuant to Section  4041(a)(2)  of ERISA of a notice of
         intent to terminate  such plan in a distress  termination  described in
         Section  4041(c) of ERISA;  (iv) the withdrawal by Company,  any of its
         Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates  from any
         Pension Plan with two or more contributing  sponsors or the termination
         of any such  Pension Plan  resulting  in liability  pursuant to Section
         4063 or 4064 of ERISA;  (v) the  institution by the PBGC of proceedings
         to  terminate  any  Pension  Plan,  or the  occurrence  of any event or
         condition  which could  reasonably  be expected to  constitute  grounds
         under ERISA for the  termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to
         administer,  any Pension  Plan;  (vi) the  imposition  of  liability on
         Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective  ERISA
         Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of
         the  application of Section  4212(c) of ERISA;  (vii) the withdrawal of
         Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective  ERISA
         Affiliates in a complete or partial  withdrawal  (within the meaning of
         Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any  Multiemployer  Plan if there
         is any potential liability therefor,  or the receipt by Company, any of
         its  Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice
         from any Multiemployer  Plan that it is in reorganization or insolvency
         pursuant  to  Section  4241 or 4245 of  ERISA,  or that it  intends  to
         terminate  or has  terminated  under  Section  4041A or 4042 of  ERISA;
         (viii) the occurrence of an act or omission  which could  reasonably be
         expected  to  give  rise  to  the  imposition  on  Company,  any of its
         Subsidiaries  or any of their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates  of fines,
         penalties,  taxes or related  charges  under Chapter 43 of the Internal
         Revenue  Code or under  Section  409,  Section  502(c),  (i) or (l), or
         Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (ix) the
         assertion of a material  claim (other than routine claims for benefits)
         against any Employee  Benefit Plan other than a  Multiemployer  Plan or
         the assets thereof, or against Company,  any of its Subsidiaries or any
         of their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates in connection with any Employee
         Benefit Plan; (x) receipt from the Internal  Revenue  Service of notice
         of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee  Benefit Plan
         intended to be qualified  under Section 401(a) of the Internal  Revenue
         Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code, or
         the failure of any trust  forming  part of any Pension  Plan 


                                       14
<PAGE>

         to qualify for  exemption  from taxation  under  Section  501(a) of the
         Internal  Revenue  Code;  or (xi) the  imposition of a Lien pursuant to
         Section  401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal  Revenue Code or pursuant
         to ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

                  "EUROCURRENCY   LIABILITIES"  has  the  meaning  specified  in
         Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System,
         as in effect from time to time.

                  "EURODOLLAR  RATE AXELS" means AXELs bearing interest at rates
         determined by reference to the Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate as provided in
         subsection 2.2A.

                  "EURODOLLAR RATE RESERVE  PERCENTAGE"  means, for any Interest
         Period  for all  Eurodollar  Rate  AXELs  comprising  part of the  same
         Borrowing,  the reserve percentage  applicable two Business Days before
         the first day of such  Interest  Period under  regulations  issued from
         time to time by the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System
         (or any  successor) for  determining  the maximum  reserve  requirement
         (including,  without limitation,  any emergency,  supplemental or other
         marginal reserve  requirement) for a member bank of the Federal Reserve
         System  in  New  York  City  with  respect  to  liabilities  or  assets
         consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities (or with respect to
         any other category of liabilities  that includes  deposits by reference
         to which the  interest  rate on  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs is  determined)
         having a term equal to such Interest Period.

                  "EVENT  OF  DEFAULT"  means  each of the  events  set forth in
         Section 7.

                  "EXCHANGE ACT" means the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
         amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

                  "EXCLUDABLE  CURRENT  LIABILITIES"  means, with respect to the
         consideration  received  by the  Company in  connection  with any Asset
         Sale,  (i) each  trade  payable  incurred  in the  ordinary  course  of
         business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) each current
         liability  that is in an amount  less  than  $50,000  on an  individual
         basis,  and  (iii)  each  liability  due  within 90 days of the date of
         consummation  of such Asset  Sale,  in the case of each of clauses  (i)
         through  (iii),  that is  assumed by the  transferee  of the assets the
         subject to such Asset Sale pursuant to customary assumption provisions.

                  "EXISTING AMSCAN CREDIT  AGREEMENTS"  means any and all credit
         agreements  entered into by Company  prior to the Closing Date, in each
         case as amended  prior to the  Closing  Date,  as set forth on Schedule
         3.1E-I.

                  "EXISTING ANAGRAM CREDIT  AGREEMENTS" means any and all credit
         agreements  entered into by Anagram and its Subsidiaries,  in each case
         as amended  prior to the  Restatement  Effective  Date, as set forth on
         Schedule 3.1E-II.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                  "EXISTING  AXELS" means,  with respect to any Existing Lender,
         the  AXELs  under  the  Existing  AXEL  Credit  Agreement  held by such
         Existing  Lender,  in the  principal  amount of such AXELs  outstanding
         immediately  prior to the  Restatement  Effective  Date,  and "EXISTING
         AXELS" means such AXELs of all Existing Lenders, collectively.

                  "EXISTING AXEL CREDIT  AGREEMENT" has the meaning  assigned to
         that term in the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "EXISTING  AXEL  NOTES"  means  (i) the  promissory  notes  of
         Company issued  pursuant to subsection 2.1E of the Existing AXEL Credit
         Agreement on the Closing Date and (ii) any  promissory  notes issued by
         Company  pursuant  to the last  sentence of  subsection  9.1B(i) of the
         Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement in connection  with  assignments of the
         Existing AXELs of any Existing Lenders,  in each case  substantially in
         the form of Exhibit III annexed to the Existing AXEL Credit Agreement.

                  "EXISTING  INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of Company and its
         Restricted  Subsidiaries  (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement
         and the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement)  in existence on the date of the
         Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

                  "EXISTING LENDER" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
         recitals to this Agreement.

                  "FACILITIES"  means any and all real property  (including  all
         buildings,   fixtures  or  other  improvements  located  thereon)  now,
         hereafter or heretofore owned,  leased,  operated or used by Company or
         any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their  respective  predecessors  or
         Affiliates.

                  "FEDERAL  FUNDS  EFFECTIVE  RATE"  means,  for any  period,  a
         fluctuating  interest rate equal for each day during such period to the
         weighted average of the rates on overnight  Federal funds  transactions
         with members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by Federal funds
         brokers,  as published  for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
         Day, for the next preceding  Business Day) by the Federal  Reserve Bank
         of New York,  or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is
         a Business  Day,  the  average of the  quotations  for such day on such
         transactions  received by Administrative Agent from three Federal funds
         brokers of recognized standing selected by Administrative Agent.

                  "FEE PROPERTY"  means any real property owned in fee simple by
         any Loan Party, other than any such real property  designated from time
         to time  by  Collateral  Agent  in its  sole  discretion  as not  being
         required to be included in the Collateral.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  "FINANCIAL  PLAN"  has the  meaning  assigned  to that term in
         subsection 5.1(xiii).

                  "FIRST PRIORITY" means,  with respect to any Lien purported to
         be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document,  that
         (i) such  Lien has  priority  over any  other  Lien on such  Collateral
         (other than Liens permitted  pursuant to subsection 6.2A) and (ii) such
         Lien is the only Lien  (other  than  Permitted  Encumbrances  and Liens
         permitted  pursuant  to  subsection  6.2) to which such  Collateral  is
         subject.

                  "FISCAL QUARTER" means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

                  "FISCAL  YEAR"  means  the  fiscal  year  of  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  ending on December 31 of each calendar year. For purposes
         of this  Agreement,  any particular  Fiscal Year shall be designated by
         reference to the calendar year in which such Fiscal Year ends.

                  "FIXED CHARGE  COVERAGE RATIO means with respect to any Person
         for any period,  the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person
         and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  for such period to the  Consolidated
         Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  for such
         period. In the event that Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         incurs,  assumes,  Guarantees or redeems any  Indebtedness  (other than
         revolving  credit  borrowings) or issues  Preferred Stock subsequent to
         the  commencement  of the  period for which the Fixed  Charge  Coverage
         Ratio is  being  calculated  but on or  prior to the date on which  the
         event for which the  calculation of the Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio is
         made (the  "Calculation  Date"),  then the Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio
         shall  be  calculated  giving  pro  forma  effect  to such  incurrence,
         assumption,  Guarantee or redemption or Indebtedness,  or such issuance
         or  redemption of Preferred  Stock,  as if the same had occurred at the
         beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

                  Notwithstanding  anything  else in this  Agreement  (including
         clause  (iii) of the  definition  of  Consolidated  Net  Income) to the
         contrary, in calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,  acquisitions
         will be given pro forma effect as follows:

                           (i) (a) acquisitions that have been made or are being
                  made by Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  during
                  the  four-quarter  reference  period  or  subsequent  to  such
                  reference  period  and on or  prior  to the  Calculation  Date
                  (including through mergers or consolidations and including any
                  related  financing  transactions)  shall  be  deemed  to  have
                  occurred  on  the  first  day of  the  four-quarter  reference
                  period, and

                                    (b)  for  purposes  of  determining  the pro
                  forma effects of any such acquisition,  Consolidated Cash Flow
                  shall be  increased  to reflect the  annualized  amount of any
                  cost savings  expected by Company to be realized 


                                       17
<PAGE>

                  in connection  with such  acquisition  (from steps to be taken
                  not later than the first anniversary of such acquisition,  and
                  without  reduction for any  non-recurring  charges expected in
                  connection  with  such  acquisition),   as  set  forth  in  an
                  Officers'  Certificate signed by Company's chief executive and
                  chief financial officers (which shall be determinative of such
                  matters)  which  states (x) the amount of such  increase,  (y)
                  that such increase is based on the  reasonable  beliefs of the
                  officers  executing such Officers'  Certificate at the time of
                  such  execution (and that estimates of cost savings from prior
                  acquisitions  have been  reevaluated and updated) and (z) that
                  any related  incurrence of Indebtedness is permitted  pursuant
                  to the this Agreement.

                  (ii)  Consolidated  Cash Flow  shall be further  increased  to
                  reflect the annualized  amount of any cost savings expected by
                  Company  but not yet  realized  in respect of any  acquisition
                  made by Company  during the four fiscal  quarters  immediately
                  preceding  the  four  quarter  reference  period  prior to the
                  Calculation  Date,  to the extent  such cost  savings  are (x)
                  expected  to result  from steps taken not later than the first
                  anniversary of the relevant acquisition and (y) determined and
                  certified as set forth in clause (i) above.

         In  addition,   in  calculating   the  Fixed  Charge   Coverage  Ratio,
         discontinued operations will be given pro forma effect as follows:

                  (i)      the   Consolidated    Cash   Flow   attributable   to
                           discontinued operations,  as determined in accordance
                           with GAAP, and  operations or businesses  disposed of
                           on  or  prior  to  the  Calculation  Date,  shall  be
                           excluded, and

                  (ii)     the  Consolidated   Fixed  Charges   attributable  to
                           discontinued operations,  as determined in accordance
                           with GAAP, and  operations or businesses  disposed of
                           on  or  prior  to  the  Calculation  Date,  shall  be
                           excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations
                           giving rise to such  Consolidated  Fixed Charges will
                           not  be   obligations   of  Company  or  any  of  its
                           Restricted  Subsidiaries  following  the  Calculation
                           Date.

                  "FLEET"  has  the  meaning   assigned  to  that  term  in  the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "FLOOD HAZARD PROPERTY" means a Mortgaged  Property located in
         an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having
         special flood or mud slide hazards.

                  "FOREIGN  SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary of Company other than
         a Domestic Subsidiary.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                  "FUNDING  AND  PAYMENT   OFFICE"   means  (i)  the  office  of
         Administrative  Agent located at Fleet National Bank, 1 Federal Street,
         Boston,   Massachusetts   02110,   or  (ii)   such   other   office  of
         Administrative  Agent as may from time to time  hereafter be designated
         as such in a  written  notice  delivered  by  Administrative  Agent  to
         Company and each Lender.

                  "FUNDING  DEFAULT"  has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.9.

                  "GAAP" means,  subject to the  limitations on the  application
         thereof set forth in  subsection  1.2,  generally  accepted  accounting
         principles set forth in opinions and  pronouncements  of the Accounting
         Principles  Board  of  the  American   Institute  of  Certified  Public
         Accountants  and  statements  and   pronouncements   of  the  Financial
         Accounting  Standards  Board or in such other  statements by such other
         entity as may be approved by a  significant  segment of the  accounting
         profession,   in  each  case  as  the  same  are   applicable   to  the
         circumstances as of the date of determination.

                  "GOVERNMENTAL   AUTHORIZATION"  means  any  permit,   license,
         authorization,  plan, directive,  consent order or consent decree of or
         from any  federal,  state or local  governmental  authority,  agency or
         court.

                  "GSCP"  has  the   meaning   assigned  to  that  term  in  the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "GSII" means,  collectively,  GS Capital Partners II, L.P., GS
         Capital Partners II Offshore,  L.P.,  Goldman,  Sachs & Co. Verwaltungs
         GmbH, Stone Street Fund 1997, L.P. and Bridge Street Fund 1997, L.P.

                  "GUARANTEE"  means a guarantee  (other than by  endorsement of
         negotiable  instruments  for  collection  in  the  ordinary  course  of
         business),  direct  or  indirect,  in any  manner  (including,  without
         limitation,  letters of credit and reimbursement  agreements in respect
         thereof), of all of any part of any Indebtedness.

                  "HAZARDOUS  MATERIALS"  means (i) any  chemical,  material  or
         substance  at any time  defined as or  included  in the  definition  of
         "hazardous  substances",  "hazardous  wastes",  "hazardous  materials",
         "extremely  hazardous waste",  "acutely hazardous waste",  "radioactive
         waste",   "biohazardous   waste",   "pollutant",   "toxic   pollutant",
         "contaminant", "restricted hazardous waste", "infectious waste", "toxic
         substances",  or any other term or expression  intended to define, list
         or  classify  substances  by reason of  properties  harmful  to health,
         safety  or  the  indoor  or  outdoor  environment   (including  harmful
         properties    such   as    ignitability,    corrosivity,    reactivity,
         carcinogenicity,  toxicity,  reproductive toxicity,  "TCLP toxicity" or
         "EP  toxicity"  or  words  of  similar   import  under  any  applicable
         Environmental  Laws); (ii) any oil,  petroleum,  petroleum  fraction or
         petroleum derived substance; (iii) any drilling fluids, produced waters
         and  other  wastes  associated  with the  exploration,  development  or
         production of crude oil, 


                                       19
<PAGE>

         natural gas or geothermal  resources;  (iv) any flammable substances or
         explosives; (v) any radioactive materials; (vi) any asbestos-containing
         materials;  (vii) urea formaldehyde foam insulation;  (viii) electrical
         equipment  which  contains  any  oil  or  dielectric  fluid  containing
         polychlorinated biphenyls; (ix) pesticides; and (x) any other chemical,
         material  or  substance,  exposure to which is  prohibited,  limited or
         regulated  by any  governmental  authority or which may or could pose a
         hazard to the health and safety of the owners, occupants or any Persons
         in  the   vicinity  of  any  Facility  or  to  the  indoor  or  outdoor
         environment.

                  "HAZARDOUS  MATERIALS  ACTIVITY"  means any past,  current  or
         future activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials,
         including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence,
         existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement,
         generation,   transportation,   processing,  construction,   treatment,
         abatement, removal, remediation,  disposal,  disposition or handling of
         any Hazardous  Materials,  and any corrective action or response action
         with respect to any of the foregoing.

                  "HEDGE  AGREEMENT"  means  an  Interest  Rate  Agreement  or a
         Currency Agreement  designed to hedge against  fluctuations in interest
         rates or currency values, respectively.

                  "HEDGING  OBLIGATIONS"  means, with respect to any Person, the
         obligations of such Person under (i) currency exchange or interest rate
         swap agreements,  currency exchange or interest rate cap agreements and
         currency  exchange or interest  rate collar  agreements  and (ii) other
         agreements  or  arrangements  designed to protect  such Person  against
         fluctuations in currency exchange or interest rates.

                  "INCREASED COST LENDER" has the meaning  assigned to that term
         in subsection 2.10.

                  "INDEBTEDNESS"   means,  with  respect  to  any  Person,   any
         indebtedness of such Person,  whether or not contingent,  in respect of
         borrowed  money or evidenced  by bonds,  notes,  debentures  or similar
         instruments  or  letters  of credit  (or  reimbursement  agreements  in
         respect thereof) or bankers' acceptances or representing Capital Leases
         or the  balance  deferred  and  unpaid  of the  purchase  price  of any
         property  or  representing  any  Hedging  Obligations,  except any such
         balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to
         the extent any of the  foregoing  indebtedness  (other than  letters of
         credit  and  Hedging  Obligations)  would  appear as  liability  upon a
         balance sheet of such Person  prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well
         as all  indebtedness  of others  secured by a Lien on any asset of such
         Person  (whether or not such  indebtedness  is assumed by such  Person)
         and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by such Person
         of any indebtedness of any other Person.

                                       20
<PAGE>

                  "INDEMNITEE"   has  the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term  in
         subsection 9.3.

                  "INSOLVENCY  LAWS"  means  the  Bankruptcy  Code or any  other
         applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or similar law now or hereafter in
         effect in the United States of America or any state thereof.

                  "INTELLECTUAL   PROPERTY"   means  all  patents,   trademarks,
         tradenames,  copyrights,  technology, know-how and processes used in or
         necessary   for  the  conduct  of  the  business  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries as currently  conducted that are material to the condition
         (financial  or  otherwise),  business or  operations of Company and its
         Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  "INTERCREDITOR  AGREEMENT" means the  Intercreditor  Agreement
         dated as of  December  19,  1997 among the  Administrative  Agent,  the
         Revolving Credit Facility Agent, the Collateral  Agent, the Company and
         the Subsidiary Guarantors,  as such agreement may hereafter be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "INTEREST  PAYMENT  DATE"  means (i) with  respect to any Base
         Rate AXEL, each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each
         year,  commencing  on the first  such date to occur  after the  Closing
         Date, and (ii) with respect to any  Eurodollar  Rate AXEL, the last day
         of each  Interest  Period  applicable  to such  Eurodollar  Rate  AXEL;
         provided that in the case of each Interest  Period of longer than three
         months  "Interest  Payment  Date" shall also  include each date that is
         three months, or an integral  multiple thereof,  after the commencement
         of such Interest Period.

                  "INTEREST  PERIOD"  has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.2B.

                  "INTEREST  RATE  AGREEMENT"   means  any  interest  rate  swap
         agreement,  interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement
         or other similar  agreement or  arrangement  to which Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries is a party.

                  "INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION  DATE" means, with respect to any
         Interest Period, the second Business Day prior to the first day of such
         Interest Period.

                  "INTERNAL  REVENUE  CODE" means the  Internal  Revenue Code of
         1986,  as amended to the date  hereof and from time to time  hereafter,
         and any successor statute.

                  "INVESTMENT"   means,   with   respect  to  any  Person,   all
         investments by such Person in other Persons  (including  Affiliates) in
         the  forms  of  direct  or  indirect  loans  (including  guarantees  of
         indebtedness or other obligations),  advances (other than cash advances
         made to suppliers with respect to current or  anticipated  purchases of

                                       21
<PAGE>

         inventory in the ordinary course of business) or capital  contributions
         (excluding  commission,  travel and similar  advances  to officers  and
         employees made in the ordinary course of business),  purchases or other
         acquisitions  of  Indebtedness,  Equity  Interests or other  securities
         (directly from the issuer thereof or from third parties)  together with
         all items that are or would be classified as  investments  on a balance
         sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that an acquisition of
         Equity Interests or other  securities by the Company for  consideration
         consisting of common  equity  securities of Company shall not be deemed
         to be an  Investment.  If Company or any Subsidiary of Company sells or
         otherwise  disposes of any Equity  Interests  of any direct or indirect
         Subsidiary  of Company such that,  after giving effect to any such sale
         or disposition,  Company no longer owns, directly or indirectly greater
         than 50% of the outstanding Equity Interest of such Subsidiary, Company
         shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale
         or disposition  equal to the fair market value of the Equity  Interests
         of such Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

                  "IP  COLLATERAL"  means the  Collateral  under the  Subsidiary
         Patent and Trademark Security Agreements.

                  "JOINT   VENTURE"   means  all   corporations,   partnerships,
         associations  or other  business  entities  (i) that are  engaged  in a
         Principal  Business  and (ii) of which 50% of the total voting power of
         shares of Capital Stock entitled  (without  regard to the occurrence of
         any  contingency)  to vote in the  election of  directors,  managers or
         trustees  thereof  is at the time  owned  or  controlled,  directly  or
         indirectly,  by the Company or one or more  Restricted  Subsidiaries of
         the Company (or a combination thereof).

                  "LANDLORD  CONSENT AND  ESTOPPEL"  means,  with respect to any
         Leasehold  Property,  a  letter,  certificate  or other  instrument  in
         writing from the lessor under the related lease,  satisfactory  in form
         and  substance  to  Collateral  Agent,  pursuant  to which such  lessor
         agrees,  for  the  benefit  of  Collateral  Agent,  (i) to the  matters
         contained in the form of Collateral  Access  Agreement  applicable to a
         Leasehold  Property,  and (ii) to such other  matters  relating to such
         Leasehold   Property  as  Collateral  Agent  may  reasonably   request,
         including, without limitation, that without any further consent of such
         lessor or any further action on the part of the Loan Party holding such
         Leasehold Property,  such Leasehold Property may be encumbered pursuant
         to a Mortgage  and may be assigned to the  purchaser  at a  foreclosure
         sale or in a transfer in lieu of such a sale (and to a subsequent third
         party  assignee if  Collateral  Agent,  any Lender,  or an Affiliate of
         either so acquires such Leasehold Property).

                  "LEASEHOLD  PROPERTY" means any leasehold interest of any Loan
         Party as lessee under any lease of real  property,  other than any such
         leasehold interest  designated from time to time by Collateral Agent in
         its  sole  discretion  as not  being  required  to be  included  in the
         Collateral.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                  "LENDER"  and  "LENDERS"  means  the  persons   identified  as
         "Lenders" and listed on the signature pages of this Agreement, together
         with their successors and permitted assigns pursuant to subsection 9.1.
         To the extent the context so requires, the terms "LENDER" and "LENDERS"
         shall  include  "Lenders"  under,  and as defined in, the Existing AXEL
         Credit Agreement.

                  "LIEN" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment,  security
         interest,  charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional
         sale or other  title  retention  agreement,  any  lease  in the  nature
         thereof,  and any  agreement  to give any  security  interest)  and any
         option,  trust or other  preferential  arrangement having the practical
         effect of any of the foregoing.

                  "LOAN  DOCUMENTS"  means the Revolving  Loan Documents and the
         AXEL Loan Documents.

                  "LOAN  PARTY"  means  each of  Company  and  any of  Company's
         Subsidiaries  from time to time  executing a Loan  Document,  and "LOAN
         PARTIES" means all such Persons, collectively.

                  "MANAGEMENT  INVESTORS"  means  the  management  officers  and
         employees  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  identified  as  Management
         Investors on Schedule 3.1C annexed hereto.

                  "MARGIN  STOCK"  has the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term in
         Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as
         in effect from time to time.

                  "MATERIAL  ADVERSE EFFECT" means (i) a material adverse effect
         upon the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial
         or  otherwise)  or prospects of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or
         (ii) the impairment in any material  respect of the ability of the Loan
         Parties,  taken as a whole, to perform,  or of Administrative  Agent or
         Lenders to enforce, the Obligations.

                  "MATERIAL CONTRACT" means any contract or other arrangement to
         which  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party  (other than the
         Loan  Documents)  for which  breach,  nonperformance,  cancellation  or
         failure  to renew  could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  "MATERIAL  DOMESTIC  SUBSIDIARY"  means  (a)  each  Restricted
         Subsidiary  and (b) each  other  Domestic  Subsidiary  of  Company  now
         existing  or  hereafter  acquired  or formed  by  Company  which,  on a
         consolidated  basis for such Subsidiary and its  Subsidiaries,  (i) for
         the  most  recent   Fiscal  Year  account  for  more  than  5%  of  the
         consolidated revenues of Company and its Subsidiaries or (ii) as at the
         end of  such  Fiscal  Year,  was  the  owner  of  more  than  5% of the
         consolidated assets of Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that, for
         purposes of the  calculations  contemplated  by 


                                       23
<PAGE>

         the foregoing  clauses  (b)(i) and (ii), any Subsidiary of Company that
         was acquired by Company or any of its Subsidiaries  after the first day
         of  the  most  recent  Fiscal  Year  (whether  such   acquisition   was
         consummated  during such most recent Fiscal Year or the current  Fiscal
         Year) shall be deemed to have been  acquired on and as of the first day
         of such most recent Fiscal Year.

                  "MATERIAL  LEASEHOLD  PROPERTY"  means  a  Leasehold  Property
         reasonably  determined by Administrative  Agent to be of material value
         as Collateral or of material importance to the operations of Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries;  provided,  however that no Leasehold Property
         with respect to which the aggregate  amount of all rents payable during
         any one  Fiscal  Year is not  expected  to exceed  $500,000  shall be a
         "Material Leasehold Property".

                  "MERGER"  means the merger of Newco  with and into  Company in
         accordance  with the  terms  of the  Recapitalization  Agreement,  with
         Company being the surviving corporation in such Merger.

                  "MORTGAGE" means a security  instrument (whether designated as
         a deed of trust or a mortgage or by any  similar  title)  executed  and
         delivered  by any Loan Party,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit XV
         annexed  hereto or in such other form as may be approved by  Collateral
         Agent in its sole discretion, in each case with such changes thereto as
         may be recommended  by Collateral  Agent's local counsel based on local
         laws  or  customary   local  mortgage  or  deed  of  trust   practices.
         "MORTGAGES" means all such instruments collectively.

                  "MORTGAGE  FINANCING" means the incurrence by the Company or a
         Restricted  Subsidiary of the Company of any Indebtedness  secured by a
         mortgage  or other Lien on real  property  acquired  or improved by the
         Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary of the Company after the Closing
         Date.

                  "MORTGAGE  REFINANCING" means the incurrence by the Company or
         a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any Indebtedness secured by a
         mortgage or other Lien on real property  subject to a mortgage or other
         Lien existing on the Closing Date or created or incurred  subsequent to
         the Closing Date and owned by the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary
         of the Company.

                  "MORTGAGED  PROPERTY" has the meaning assigned to that term in
         subsection 5.9.

                  "MORTGAGE  POLICY"  has the  meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 5.9.

                  "MULTIEMPLOYER  PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan which is
         a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

                                       24
<PAGE>

                  "NET ASSET SALE  PROCEEDS"  means,  with  respect to any Asset
         Sale,  Cash  payments  (including  any Cash received by way of deferred
         payment  pursuant  to,  or by  monetization  of, a note  receivable  or
         otherwise,  but only as and when so received)  received from such Asset
         Sale, net of any bona fide direct costs, including, without limitation,
         all  transaction  costs,  incurred in connection  with such Asset Sale,
         including (i) income taxes reasonably  estimated to be actually payable
         within two years of the date of such Asset Sale as a result of any gain
         recognized in  connection  with such Asset Sale and (ii) payment of the
         outstanding  principal  amount of,  premium  or  penalty,  if any,  and
         interest on any Indebtedness  that is secured by a Lien on the stock or
         assets in  question  and that prior to the Lien  securing  the AXELs on
         such  stock or assets  and is  required  to be  repaid  under the terms
         thereof as a result of such Asset Sale.

                  "NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person, the net income
         (loss) of such Person,  determined in  accordance  with GAAP and before
         any  reduction  in respect of  Preferred  Stock  dividends,  excluding,
         however,  (i) any  gain  (but not  loss),  together  with  any  related
         provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss)  realized in connection
         with (a) any Asset Sale (including,  without  limitation,  dispositions
         pursuant to sale and leaseback  transactions) or (b) the disposition of
         any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries or
         the  extinguishment  of any  Indebtedness  of such Person or any of its
         Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain
         (but not loss)  together  with any related  provision for taxes on such
         extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss).

                  "NET INSURANCE/CONDEMNATION  PROCEEDS" means any Cash payments
         or proceeds  received by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (i) under
         any business  interruption or casualty insurance policy in respect of a
         covered loss thereunder or (ii) as a result of the taking of any assets
         of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  by any Person  pursuant  to the
         power of eminent domain,  condemnation  or otherwise,  or pursuant to a
         sale of any such assets to a purchaser  with such power under threat of
         such a  taking,  in each  case  net of (x) any  actual  and  reasonable
         documented  costs  incurred  by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
         connection  with the  adjustment or settlement of any claims of Company
         or such Subsidiary in respect  thereof and (y) any amounts  required to
         be applied to the repayment of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien which
         is prior to any Liens of the  Lenders  on the asset or assets  that are
         subject to the taking, condemnation or casualty but excluding, however,
         in each case any payments or proceeds relating to assets having a value
         of  $500,000  or less in any single  transaction  or related  series of
         transactions.

                  "NEW  LENDER"  means  any  Lender  which  is a  party  to this
         Agreement on the  Restatement  Effective  Date which is not an Existing
         Lender.

                  "NEWCO"   means   Confetti   Acquisition,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
         corporation existing prior to the Merger.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                  "NON-CONSENTING  LENDER" has the meaning assigned to that term
         in subsection 2.10.

                  "NON-RECOURSE  DEBT" means  Indebtedness  of any  Unrestricted
         Subsidiary  (i) as to which neither  Company nor any of its  Restricted
         Subsidiaries  (a) provides  credit  support of any kind  (including any
         undertaking,    agreement   or   instrument   that   would   constitute
         Indebtedness),  (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or
         otherwise),  or (c)  constitutes  the lender;  and (ii) no default with
         respect to which  (including  any rights that the  holders  thereof may
         have to take  enforcement  action against an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary)
         would  permit  (upon  notice,  lapse of time or both) any holder of any
         other Indebtedness of Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries to
         declare a default on such other  Indebtedness  of Company or any of its
         Restricted  Subsidiaries or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated
         or  payable  prior to its  stated  maturity;  and (iii) as to which the
         lenders,  have been  notified  in  writing  that they will not have any
         recourse  to the stock or assets of  Company  or any of its  Restricted
         Subsidiaries.

                  "NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice substantially in the form
         of Exhibit I annexed  hereto  delivered  by  Company to  Administrative
         Agent pursuant to subsection 2.1B with respect to a proposed  borrowing
         of the Additional AXELs.

                  "NOTICE   OF    CONVERSION/CONTINUATION"    means   a   notice
         substantially  in the form of Exhibit II annexed  hereto  delivered  by
         Company  to  Administrative  Agent  pursuant  to  subsection  2.2D with
         respect to a proposed  conversion  or  continuation  of the  applicable
         basis for  determining  the  interest  rate with  respect  to the AXELs
         specified therein.

                  "OBLIGATIONS"  means all  obligations  of every nature of each
         Loan  Party  from  time  to time  owed  to  Agents,  Lenders  or  their
         respective  Affiliates  or any of them  under the AXEL Loan  Documents,
         whether for principal,  interest,  fees,  expenses,  indemnification or
         otherwise.

                  "OFFICERS'  CERTIFICATE" means, as applied to any corporation,
         a certificate executed on behalf of such corporation by its chairman of
         the  board  (if an  officer)  or  its  president  or  one  of its  vice
         presidents  and by  its  chief  financial  officer  or  its  treasurer;
         provided  that  every  Officers'   Certificate   with  respect  to  the
         compliance  with a  condition  precedent  to the  making  of any  AXELs
         hereunder  shall  include (i) a statement  that the officer or officers
         making or giving such  Officers'  Certificate  have read such condition
         and any  definitions  or other  provisions  contained in this Agreement
         relating thereto, (ii) a statement that, in the opinion of the signers,
         they  have  made  or  have  caused  to  be  made  such  examination  or
         investigation  as is  necessary  to enable  them to express an informed
         opinion as to whether or not such condition has been complied with, and
         (iii) a statement as to whether,  in the opinion of the  signers,  such
         condition has been complied with.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation or any
         successor thereto.

                  "PENSION PLAN" means any Employee  Benefit Plan,  other than a
         Multiemployer  Plan,  which is subject to Section  412 of the  Internal
         Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

                  "PERMITTED  ENCUMBRANCES"  means the following  types of Liens
         (excluding  any such Lien  imposed  pursuant to Section  401(a)(29)  or
         412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code or by ERISA, any such Lien relating
         to or imposed in connection with any Environmental  Claim, and any such
         Lien  expressly  prohibited  by  any  applicable  terms  of  any of the
         Collateral Documents):

                           (i)  Liens for  taxes,  assessments  or  governmental
                  charges  or claims the  payment of which is not,  at the time,
                  required by subsection 5.3;

                           (ii) statutory Liens of landlords, statutory Liens of
                  banks and  rights of  set-off,  statutory  Liens of  carriers,
                  warehousemen,  mechanics,  repairmen, workmen and materialmen,
                  and other Liens  imposed by law, in each case  incurred in the
                  ordinary course of business (a) for amounts not yet overdue or
                  (b) for amounts  that are overdue and that (in the case of any
                  such  amounts  overdue  for a period in excess of 15 days) are
                  being contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings,  so
                  long as (1) such reserves or other appropriate provisions,  if
                  any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made for any
                  such  contested  amounts,  and (2) in the case of a Lien  with
                  respect  to  any  portion  of  the  Collateral,  such  contest
                  proceedings  conclusively  operate  to  stay  the  sale of any
                  portion of the Collateral on account of such Lien;

                           (iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary
                  course of business in connection  with workers'  compensation,
                  unemployment  insurance and other types of social security, or
                  to secure the performance of tenders,  statutory  obligations,
                  surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases,  government  contracts,
                  trade  contracts,  performance and  return-of-money  bonds and
                  other similar  obligations  (exclusive of obligations  for the
                  payment of borrowed money), so long as no foreclosure, sale or
                  similar  proceedings  have been  commenced with respect to any
                  portion of the Collateral on account thereof;

                           (iv) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting
                  an Event of Default under subsection 7.6;

                           (v) leases or subleases  granted to third  parties in
                  accordance  with  any  applicable   terms  of  the  Collateral
                  Documents and not interfering in any material respect with the
                  ordinary  conduct  of the  business  of  Company or any 


                                       27
<PAGE>

                  of its  Subsidiaries or resulting in a material  diminution in
                  the value of any Collateral as security for the Obligations;

                           (vi) easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions,
                  restrictions,    encroachments,    and   other    defects   or
                  irregularities  in title,  in each case  which do not and will
                  not  interfere  in any  material  respect  with  the  ordinary
                  conduct of the business of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
                  or  result  in a  material  diminution  in  the  value  of any
                  Collateral as security for the Obligations;

                           (vii)  any (a)  interest  or  title  of a  lessor  or
                  sublessor under any lease permitted hereunder, (b) restriction
                  or  encumbrance  that the  interest or title of such lessor or
                  sublessor  may be  subject  to,  or (c)  subordination  of the
                  interest  of the lessee or  sublessee  under such lease to any
                  restriction or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause
                  (b), so long as the holder of such  restriction or encumbrance
                  agrees to  recognize  the rights of such  lessee or  sublessee
                  under such lease;

                           (viii)  Liens   arising  from  filing  UCC  financing
                  statements   relating  solely  to  leases  permitted  by  this
                  Agreement;

                           (ix)   Liens  in  favor  of   customs   and   revenue
                  authorities  arising  as a matter of law to secure  payment of
                  customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

                           (x) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or
                  vested in any  governmental  office or  agency to  control  or
                  regulate the use of any real property;

                           (xi)   Liens   securing   obligations   (other   than
                  obligations  representing  Indebtedness  for  borrowed  money)
                  under  operating,  reciprocal  easement or similar  agreements
                  entered into in the ordinary course of business of Company and
                  its Subsidiaries; and

                           (xii)  licenses  of  patents,  trademarks  and  other
                  intellectual  property rights granted by Company or any of its
                  Subsidiaries  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  and  not
                  interfering in any material  respect with the ordinary conduct
                  of the business of Company or such Subsidiary.


                  " PERMITTED  HOLDERS" means  Goldman,  Sachs & Co.. and any of
         its Affiliates.

                  "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means (i) any Investment in Company or
         in a Restricted Subsidiary of Company (including the acquisition of any
         Equity  Interest in a Restricted  Subsidiary);  (ii) any  investment in
         cash and Cash  Equivalents;  (iii) 


                                       28
<PAGE>

         any Investment by the Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary of Company
         in a Person,  if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes
         a  Restricted  Subsidiary  of  Company  or  (b)  such  Person,  in  one
         transaction   or  a  series  of   related   transactions,   is  merged,
         consolidated  or  amalgamated  with or into,  or  transfer  or  conveys
         substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Company or a
         Restricted  Subsidiary of Company; (iv) any Investment made as a result
         of  the  receipt  of  consideration   not  constituting  cash  or  Cash
         Equivalents from an Asset Sale; (v) any Investment existing on the date
         of the  Indenture;  (vi) any Investment by Restricted  Subsidiaries  in
         other Restricted  Subsidiaries and Investments by Subsidiaries that are
         not  Restricted   Subsidiaries  in  other  Subsidiaries  that  are  not
         Restricted  Subsidiaries;  (vii) advances to employees not in excess of
         $2,500,000  outstanding at any one time; (viii) any Investment acquired
         by Company or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  (a) in exchange for
         any other Investment or accounts receivable held by Company or any such
         Restricted   Subsidiary  in  connection  with  or  as  a  result  of  a
         bankruptcy,  workout,  reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer
         of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a
         foreclosure  by  Company  or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  with
         respect  to any  secured  Investment  or other  transfer  of title with
         respect to any secured Investment in default; (ix) Hedging Obligations;
         (x) loans  and  advances  to  officers,  directors  and  employees  for
         business-related  travel  expenses,  moving  expenses and other similar
         expenses,  in each case  incurred in the  ordinary  course of business;
         (xi)  Investments the payment for which consists  exclusively of Equity
         Interests  (exclusive  of  Disqualified  Stock) of  Company;  and (xii)
         additional  Investments  having an aggregate  fair market value,  taken
         together with all other  Investments made pursuant to this clause (xii)
         that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed $15,000,000 plus 5% of
         the increase in Total  Assets of Company  since the Closing Date at the
         time of such Investment  (with the fair market value of each Investment
         being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent
         changes in value).

                  "PERMITTED REFINANCING INDEBTEDNESS" means any Indebtedness of
         Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  issued in exchange for,
         or the net  proceeds  of which are used to  extend,  refinance,  renew,
         replace,  defease or refund other Indebtedness of Company or any of its
         Restricted  Subsidiaries  in whole or in part;  provided  that: (i) the
         principal  amount (or accreted  value, if applicable) of such Permitted
         Refinancing  Indebtedness  does not  exceed  the  principal  amount (or
         accreted  value,  if  applicable)  of  the  Indebtedness  so  extended,
         refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of
         reasonable  expenses  incurred  in  connection  therewith);  (ii)  such
         Permitted  Refinancing  Indebtedness  has a final  maturity  date on or
         later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted  Average Life
         to  Maturity  equal to or greater  than the  Weighted  Average  Life to
         Maturity of, the  Indebtedness  being  extended,  refinanced,  renewed,
         replaced,  defeased  or  refunded;  (iii)  if  the  Indebtedness  being
         extended,  refinanced,  renewed,  replaced,  defeased  or  refunded  is
         subordinated  in right of payment to the  Obligations,  such  Permitted
         Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later 


                                       29
<PAGE>

         than the final maturity date of the AXELs, and is subordinated in right
         of payment to the AXELs,  on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders
         as those  contained in the  documentation  governing  the  Indebtedness
         being extended,  refinanced,  renewed, replaced,  defeased or refunded;
         and (iv) such  Indebtedness  is  incurred  either by  Company or by the
         Restricted  Subsidiary  who is the  obligor on the  Indebtedness  being
         extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

                  "PERSON"  means and includes  natural  persons,  corporations,
         limited   partnerships,   general   partnerships,   limited   liability
         companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint
         Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land
         trusts,  business trusts or other  organizations,  whether or not legal
         entities, and governments (whether federal, state or local, domestic or
         foreign, and including political  subdivisions thereof) and agencies or
         other administrative or regulatory bodies thereof.

                  "PLEDGED   COLLATERAL"  means,   collectively,   the  "Pledged
         Collateral"  as  defined  in  the  Company  Pledge  Agreement  and  the
         Subsidiary Pledge Agreements.

                  "POTENTIAL  EVENT OF DEFAULT" means a condition or event that,
         after  notice or lapse of time or both,  would  constitute  an Event of
         Default.

                  "PREFERRED  STOCK" means any Equity Interest with preferential
         right of payment of  dividends  or upon  liquidation,  dissolution,  or
         winding up.

                  "PRIME RATE" means the rate that Fleet  announces from time to
         time as its prime  lending  rate,  as in effect from time to time.  The
         Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not  necessarily  represent the
         lowest or best rate  actually  charged  to any  customer.  Fleet or any
         other  Lender  may make  commercial  loans  or other  loans at rates of
         interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

                  "PRO RATA  SHARE"  means  (i) with  respect  to all  payments,
         computations   and  other  matters  relating  to  the  Additional  AXEL
         Commitment of any Lender on or before the  Restatement  Effective Date,
         the percentage  obtained by dividing (x) the Additional AXEL Commitment
         of that Lender by (y) the aggregate  Additional AXEL Commitments of all
         Lenders,  (ii) with  respect to all  payments,  computations  and other
         matters  relating to the Existing  AXELs of any Lender on or before the
         Restatement  Effective Date (including any such matters with respect to
         any interest,  fees and other amounts  accrued or otherwise  payable to
         Existing Lenders in respect of the period from the Closing Date through
         and including the Restatement  Effective Date), the percentage obtained
         by dividing (x) the Existing  AXELs of that Lender by (y) the aggregate
         Existing  AXELs of all  Lenders,  and (iii)  with  respect to all other
         purposes  (including  voting rights under subsection 9.6, whether prior
         to or after the Restatement Effective Date), the percentage obtained by
         dividing (x) the AXEL Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate AXEL
         Exposure of all Lenders.


                                       30
<PAGE>

                  "PTO" means the United States  Patent and Trademark  Office or
         any successor or  substitute  office in which filings are necessary or,
         in the opinion of Administrative Agent, desirable in order to create or
         perfect Liens on any IP Collateral.

                  "QUALIFIED PUBLIC OFFERING" means any sale of capital stock of
         Company to the public  pursuant  to an  offering  registered  under the
         Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to which Company receives cash proceeds
         (net of all fees and expenses  (including  underwriting  discounts  and
         legal,  investment  banking and accounting and other professional fees)
         and  disbursements  actually  incurred in  connection  therewith) in an
         amount not less than $50,000,000.

                  "REAL PROPERTY ASSET" means, at any time of determination, any
         interest then owned by any Loan Party in any real property.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION  AGREEMENT" means that certain Agreement and
         Plan of Merger  between  Company and Newco dated as of August 10, 1997,
         in the form  delivered  to Arranger,  Administrative  Agent and Lenders
         prior to their  execution of the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement and as
         such agreement may hereafter be amended from time to time.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION CONSIDERATION" means payments required under
         Article II of the Recapitalization Agreement.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION   DOCUMENTS"   means  the   Recapitalization
         Agreement  and all  other  instruments  or  documents  relating  to the
         Recapitalization Agreement.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION  FINANCING REQUIREMENTS" means the aggregate
         of all amounts necessary (i) to pay the Recapitalization Consideration,
         (ii) to  refinance  all  Indebtedness  outstanding  under the  Existing
         Amscan Credit Agreements, and (iii) to pay Recapitalization Transaction
         Costs.

                  "RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTION COSTS" means the fees, costs and
         expenses  payable  by  Company  in  connection  with  the  transactions
         contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements,  in each
         case as in effect on the Closing Date.

                  "RECORDED  LEASEHOLD INTEREST" means a Leasehold Property with
         respect to which a Record  Document (as  hereinafter  defined) has been
         recorded in all places  necessary or desirable,  in Collateral  Agent's
         reasonable  judgment,  to give  constructive  notice of such  Leasehold
         Property to third-party  purchasers and  encumbrancers  of the affected
         real  property.  For  purposes  of this  definition,  the term  "RECORD
         DOCUMENT" means, with respect to any Leasehold Property,  (a) the lease
         evidencing such Leasehold  Property or a memorandum  thereof,  executed
         and 


                                       31
<PAGE>

         acknowledged by the owner of the affected real property,  as lessor, or
         (b) if such  Leasehold  Property  was  acquired or  subleased  from the
         holder of a Recorded Leasehold Interest,  the applicable  assignment or
         sublease  document,  executed and acknowledged by such holder,  in each
         case  in  form  sufficient  to  give  such  constructive   notice  upon
         recordation   and  otherwise  in  form   reasonably   satisfactory   to
         Administrative Agent.

                  "REFUNDING  CAPITAL  STOCK" has the  meaning  assigned to that
         term in subsection 6.3A.

                  "REGISTER" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
         2.1D.

                  "REGULATION D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
         the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

                  "RELATED AGREEMENTS" means,  collectively,  the Certificate of
         Merger, the Stockholders Agreement, the Employment Agreements,  the Tax
         Indemnification  Agreement,  the  Recapitalization  Agreement  and  the
         Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  "RELATED  FUND"  means,  with  respect to any Lender that is a
         fund that invests in commercial  loans,  any other fund that invests in
         commercial loans and is managed by the same investment  advisor as such
         Lender or by any Affiliate of such investment advisor.

                  "RELATED PARTIES" means any Person controlled by the Permitted
         Holders,  including  any  partnership  of  which  any of the  Permitted
         Holders or their Affiliates is a general partner.

                  "RELEASE"  means  any  release,   spill,  emission,   leaking,
         pumping, pouring, injection,  escaping,  deposit, disposal,  discharge,
         dispersal,  dumping,  leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into
         the  indoor  or  outdoor  environment  (including  the  abandonment  or
         disposal  of  any  barrels,  containers  or  other  closed  receptacles
         containing  any  Hazardous  Materials),  including  the movement of any
         Hazardous   Materials   through  the  air,   soil,   surface  water  or
         groundwater.

                  "REQUIREMENT  OF LAW" means,  with respect to any Person,  (i)
         the  certificate  or  articles  of  incorporation,  by-laws  and  other
         organizational  or governing  documents  of such Person,  (ii) any law,
         treaty,  rule,  regulation or determination of an arbitrator,  court or
         other  governmental  authority  binding  on such  Person  or any of its
         property, or (iii) any franchise,  license, lease, permit, certificate,
         authorization,  qualification,  easement,  right  of way,  or  right of
         approval binding on such Person or any of its property.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                  "REQUIRED  PREPAYMENT  DATE" has the meaning  assigned to that
         term in subsection 2.4.

                  "REQUISITE  LENDERS" means Lenders having or holding more than
         50% of the sum of the aggregate AXEL Exposure of all Lenders.

                  "RESTATEMENT  EFFECTIVE  DATE"  means  the  date on or  before
         October  31,  1998  on  which  (i)  the  conditions  precedent  to  the
         effectiveness  of this  Agreement set forth in subsection  3.1 shall be
         satisfied and (ii) the conditions precedent set forth in subsection 3.2
         shall be satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "RESTRICTED  INVESTMENT"  means  an  Investment  other  than a
         Permitted Investment.

                  "RESTRICTED PAYMENTS" has the meaning assigned to that team in
         subsection 6.3.

                  "RESTRICTED  SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means any Subsidiary of a
         Person that is not (i) an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary or (ii) a direct or
         indirect Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;  provided,  however,
         that upon the occurrence of any Unrestricted  Subsidiary  ceasing to be
         an Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  such Subsidiary  shall be included in the
         definition of Restricted Subsidiary.

                  "RETIRED  CAPITAL STOCK" has the meaning assigned to that term
         in subsection 6.3A.

                  "REVOLVING  CREDIT AGREEMENT" has the meaning assigned to that
         term in the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "REVOLVING  CREDIT FACILITY AGENT" has the meaning assigned to
         that term in the recitals of this Agreement.

                  "REVOLVING  CREDIT  LENDER" means a lender under the Revolving
         Credit  Agreement  holding an  outstanding  Revolving  Loan or having a
         Revolving  Loan   Commitment  (as  defined  in  the  Revolving   Credit
         Agreement),  and "Revolving  Lenders" means any such lenders or lenders
         under the Revolving Credit Agreement, collectively.

                  "REVOLVING  LOANS" means the loans made by a Revolving  Credit
         Lender to Company pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement.

                  "REVOLVING   LOAN  DOCUMENTS"   means  the  Revolving   Credit
         Agreement,  the Revolving  Loan Notes,  the  Subsidiary  Guaranty,  the
         Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

                                       33
<PAGE>

                  "SECURED PARTIES" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
         introduction to this Agreement.

                  "SECURITIES" means any stock, shares,  partnership  interests,
         voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in
         any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement,  options, warrants, bonds,
         debentures,  notes,  or other  evidences  of  indebtedness,  secured or
         unsecured,  convertible,  subordinated or otherwise,  or in general any
         instruments  commonly  known as  "securities"  or any  certificates  of
         interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates
         for the  purchase  or  acquisition  of, or any right to  subscribe  to,
         purchase or acquire,  any of the foregoing;  provided that "Securities"
         shall not include any earnout  agreement or  obligation or any employee
         bonus or other incentive compensation plan or agreement.

                  "SECURITIES  ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
         from time to time, and any successor statute.

                  "SENIOR  SUBORDINATED  NOTE  INDENTURE"  means  the  indenture
         pursuant to which the Senior  Subordinated  Notes are  issued,  as such
         indenture may hereafter be amended from time to time.

                  "SENIOR  SUBORDINATED  GUARANTEES" means the Guarantees by the
         guarantors  of the  Obligations  under the  Senior  Subordinated  Notes
         Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Notes;

                  "SENIOR   SUBORDINATED   NOTES"  means  the   $110,000,000  in
         aggregate principal amount of 9.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
         of Company issued pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  "SOLVENT"  means,  with respect to any Person,  that as of the
         date of determination  both (A) (i) the then fair saleable value of the
         property  of such  Person  is (y)  greater  than the  total  amount  of
         liabilities  (including contingent  liabilities) of such Person and (z)
         not less than the  amount  that will be  required  to pay the  probable
         liabilities  on such  Person's  then  existing  debts  as  they  become
         absolute  and  matured  considering  all  financing   alternatives  and
         potential asset sales  reasonably  available to such Person;  (ii) such
         Person's capital is not unreasonably  small in relation to its business
         or any  contemplated or undertaken  transaction;  and (iii) such Person
         does not intend to incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe)
         that it will incur,  debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they
         become due; and (B) such Person is "solvent"  within the meaning  given
         that  term  and  similar  terms  under   applicable  laws  relating  to
         fraudulent transfers and conveyances.  For purposes of this definition,
         the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as
         the  amount  that,  in  light  of all of the  facts  and  circumstances
         existing at such time,  represents  the amount that can  reasonably  be
         expected to become an actual or matured liability.

                                       34
<PAGE>

                  "STATED  MATURITY"  means,  with respect to any installment of
         interest or principal  on, or any other  payments  with respect to, any
         series of  Indebtedness,  the date on which such payment of interest or
         principal or other  payment  (including  any sinking fund  payment) was
         scheduled   or  required  to  be  paid,   but  shall  not  include  any
         acceleration  of such payment or any  contingent  obligations to repay,
         redeem or repurchase  any such interest or principal  prior to the date
         originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

                  "STOCKHOLDERS  AGREEMENT"  means  the  Stockholders  Agreement
         dated as of December 19, 1997 by and among Company, GSII, the Estate of
         John A. Svenningsen and certain other individuals and as such agreement
         may heretofore  have been or hereafter may be amended from time to time
         thereafter.

                  "SUBORDINATED  INDEBTEDNESS"  means  any  Indebtedness  of the
         Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which is expressly by its
         terms subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations.

                  "SUBSIDIARY"  means,  with  respect  to any  Person,  (i)  any
         corporation,  association or other  business  entity of which more than
         50% of the  total  voting  power of shares of  Capital  Stock  entitled
         (without  regard to the occurrence of any  contingency)  to vote in the
         election of  directors,  managers  or  trustees  thereof is at the time
         owned or controlled,  directly or indirectly,  by such Person or one or
         more  of the  other  Subsidiaries  of  that  Person  (or a  combination
         thereof) and (ii) any  partnership  (a) the sole general partner or the
         managing  general  partner of which is such Person or a  Subsidiary  of
         such Person or (b) the only  general  partners of which are such Person
         or  one or  more  Subsidiaries  of  such  Person  (or  any  combination
         thereof).

                  "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" means, collectively, (i) any Subsidiary
         of Company that executed and delivered a counterpart  of the Subsidiary
         Guaranty on the Closing Date or from time to time  thereafter  pursuant
         to subsection  5.8 of the Existing  AXEL Credit  Agreement and (ii) any
         Subsidiary of Company that  executes and delivers a counterpart  of the
         Subsidiary  Guaranty on the Restatement  Effective Date or from time to
         time thereafter pursuant to subsection 5.8.

                  "SUBSIDIARY   GUARANTY"  means  the  Subsidiary  Guaranty  (i)
         heretofore   executed  and  delivered  by  certain  existing   Domestic
         Subsidiaries  of  Company  on the  Closing  Date or  from  time to time
         thereafter  in  accordance  with  subsection  5.8 of the Existing  AXEL
         Credit  Agreement  and (ii) to be executed and  delivered by additional
         Domestic  Subsidiaries of Company on the Restatement Effective Date and
         from  time  to time  thereafter  in  accordance  with  subsection  5.8,
         substantially  in the  form of  Exhibit  XII  annexed  hereto,  as such
         Subsidiary  Guaranty  may  heretofore  have  been or  hereafter  may be
         amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                                       35
<PAGE>

                  "SUBSIDIARY PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT" means (i)
         each Subsidiary Patent and Trademark  Security  Agreement  executed and
         delivered by any Subsidiary Guarantor on the Restatement Effective Date
         and (ii)  each  Subsidiary  Patent  and  Trademark  Security  Agreement
         executed and delivered by any additional Subsidiary Guarantor from time
         to time  thereafter in  accordance  with  subsection  5.8, in each case
         substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  XVII  annexed  hereto,  as such
         Subsidiary  Patent and  Trademark  Security  Agreement may hereafter be
         amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time,  and
         "SUBSIDIARY  PATENT AND TRADEMARK  SECURITY  AGREEMENTS" means all such
         Subsidiary Patent and Trademark Security Agreements, collectively.

                  "SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means (i) each Subsidiary Pledge
         Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary Guarantor on
         the Closing Date or from time to time  thereafter  in  accordance  with
         subsection  5.8  of the  Existing  AXEL  Credit  Agreement,  (ii)  each
         Subsidiary Pledge Agreement  executed and delivered by a new Subsidiary
         Guarantor on the Restatement  Effective Date, and (iii) each Subsidiary
         Pledge  Agreement  executed and delivered by any additional  Subsidiary
         Guarantor from time to time  thereafter in accordance  with  subsection
         5.8, in each case  substantially in the form of Exhibit XIII annexed to
         the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement or Exhibit XIII annexed hereto,  as
         the case may be, as such  Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreement may  heretofore
         have  been or  hereafter  may be  amended,  supplemented  or  otherwise
         modified from time to time, and "SUBSIDIARY  PLEDGE  AGREEMENTS"  means
         all such Subsidiary Pledge Agreements, collectively.

                  "SUBSIDIARY  SECURITY  AGREEMENT"  means  (i) each  Subsidiary
         Security  Agreement  executed and  delivered by an existing  Subsidiary
         Guarantor  on the  Closing  Date or from  time  to time  thereafter  in
         accordance with  subsection 5.8 of the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement,
         (ii) each Subsidiary Security Agreement executed and delivered by a new
         Subsidiary Guarantor on the Restatement  Effective Date, and (iii) each
         Subsidiary  Security Agreement executed and delivered by any additional
         Subsidiary  Guarantor from time to time  thereafter in accordance  with
         subsection 5.8, in each case  substantially  in the form of Exhibit XIV
         annexed hereto,  as such Subsidiary  Security  Agreement may heretofore
         have  been or  hereafter  may be  amended,  supplemented  or  otherwise
         modified from time to time, and "SUBSIDIARY  SECURITY AGREEMENTS" means
         all such Subsidiary Security Agreements, collectively.

                  "SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL  AGENT" has the meaning  assigned to
         that term in subsection 8.1B.

                  "SYNDICATION  AGENT" has the meaning  assigned to that term in
         the introduction to this Agreement.

                  "TAX" or  "TAXES"  means  any  present  or future  tax,  levy,
         impost,  duty, charge,  fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and
         whatever  called,  by whomsoever,  on 


                                       36
<PAGE>

         whomsoever  and  wherever  imposed,  levied,  collected,   withheld  or
         assessed;  provided  that "TAX ON THE  OVERALL  NET INCOME" of a Person
         shall be construed as a reference to a tax imposed by the  jurisdiction
         in which that Person is organized or in which that  Person's  principal
         office (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is located
         or in which that Person (and/or,  in the case of a Lender,  its lending
         office)  is  deemed  to be  doing  business  on all or  part of the net
         income,  profits or gains (whether  worldwide,  or only insofar as such
         income,  profits or gains are  considered to arise in or to relate to a
         particular  jurisdiction,  or otherwise) of that Person (and/or, in the
         case of a Lender, its lending office).

                  "TAX INDEMNIFICATION  AGREEMENT" means the Tax Indemnification
         Agreement dated as of August 10, 1997 by and between Company, Christine
         Svenningsen and the Estate of John A. Svenningsen and as such agreement
         may heretofore  have been or hereafter may be amended from time to time
         thereafter.

                  "TERMINATED  LENDER" has the meaning  assigned to that term in
         subsection 2.10.

                  "TITLE  COMPANY"  means,   collectively   one  or  more  title
         insurance  companies  that  are  members  of ALTA  and  are  reasonably
         satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent.

                  "TOTAL  ASSETS" means,  with respect to any Person,  the total
         consolidated assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries,  as
         shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Person.

                  "UCC"  means the  Uniform  Commercial  Code (or any similar or
         equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

                  "UNREINVESTED ASSET SALE PROCEEDS" means that portion, if any,
         of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds  that shall not have been  reinvested by
         Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  in the  business  of  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  within six months after the date of receipt by Company or
         any of its  Subsidiaries of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds or in the case
         of Net Asset  Sale  Proceeds  from the sale of the  Chester,  New York,
         Montreal, Quebec or Melbourne,  Australia properties,  (i) that portion
         of Net Asset Sale Proceeds  that is not subject to a binding  agreement
         with a third party to  reinvest  such net Asset Sale  Proceeds  entered
         into within six months after the date of receipt of such Net Asset Sale
         Proceeds or (ii) if subject to such a binding  agreement,  that portion
         of such Net Asset Sale  Proceeds  that  shall not have been  reinvested
         within nine months of such binding  agreement,  such reinvestment to be
         evidenced  by  an  Officers'  Certificate,  satisfactory  in  form  and
         substance   to   Administrative   Agent,   delivered   by   Company  to
         Administrative  Agent prior to the expiration of such six-month  period
         and  demonstrating  in reasonable  detail the  reinvestment of such Net
         Asset Sale Proceeds as aforesaid.

                                       37
<PAGE>

                  "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary (other than the
         Subsidiary  Guarantors  or  any  successor  to  any of  them)  that  is
         designated  by the Board of  Directors  as an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary
         pursuant  to a Board  Resolution,  but  only to the  extent  that  such
         Subsidiary:  (a) has no Indebtedness  other than Non-Recourse Debt; (b)
         is not party to any agreement,  contract,  arrangement or understanding
         with Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary of Company unless the terms
         of any such agreement,  contract,  arrangement or understanding  are no
         less favorable to Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that
         might be obtained at the time from  Persons who are not  Affiliates  of
         Company;  (c) is a Person with respect to which neither Company nor any
         of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  has any direct or indirect  obligation
         (x) to subscribe for additional  Equity Interests or (y) to maintain or
         preserve such Person's  financial  condition or to cause such Person to
         achieve  any  specified  levels  of  operating  results;  (d)  has  not
         guaranteed and does not otherwise directly or indirectly provide credit
         support  for  any  Indebtedness  of  Company  or any of its  Restricted
         Subsidiaries;  and  (e) has at  least  one  director  on its  board  of
         directors that is not a director or executive officer of Company or any
         of its Restricted  Subsidiaries and has at least one executive  officer
         that is not a director  or  executive  officer of Company or any of its
         Restricted  Subsidiaries.  If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary
         would  fail to  meet  the  foregoing  requirements  as an  Unrestricted
         Subsidiary,  it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary
         for  purposes  hereof  and,  so long as  such  Unrestricted  Subsidiary
         remains a Subsidiary,  any  Indebtedness  of such  Subsidiary  shall be
         deemed to be incurred by a Restricted  Subsidiary of Company as of such
         date (and, if such  Indebtedness  is not permitted to be incurred as of
         such date under the covenant  described under  subsection 6.1,  Company
         shall be in  default  of such  covenant).  The  Board of  Directors  of
         Company may at any time designate any  Unrestricted  Subsidiary to be a
         Restricted  Subsidiary;  provided that such designation shall be deemed
         to be an  incurrence  of  Indebtedness  by a Restricted  Subsidiary  of
         Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary
         and such designation  shall only be permitted if (i) such  Indebtedness
         is permitted  under the covenant  described  under  subsection 6.1, and
         (ii) no  Potential  Event of Default  or Event of  Default  would be in
         existence following such designation.

                  "VOTING STOCK" means, with respect to any Person, any class or
         series of capital stock of such Person that is  ordinarily  entitled to
         vote in the election of directors  thereof at a meeting of stockholders
         called for such purpose, without the occurrence of any additional event
         or contingency.

                  "WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when applied to any
         Indebtedness  at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i)
         the sum of the products  obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each
         then  remaining  installment,  sinking fund,  serial  maturity or other
         required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in
         respect thereof,  by (b) the number of years (calculated 


                                       38
<PAGE>

         to the nearest  one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the
         making of such payment,  by (ii) the then outstanding  principal amount
         of such Indebtedness.

                  "WHOLLY  OWNED  RESTRICTED  SUBSIDIARY"  is any  Wholly  Owned
         Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

                  "WHOLLY OWNED  SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means a Subsidiary of
         such Person all of the  outstanding  Capital  Stock or other  ownership
         interests of which (other than directors'  qualifying  shares) shall at
         the  time be  owned  by such  person  or by one or  more  Wholly  Owned
         Subsidiaries  of such  Person or by such  Person and one or more Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

1.2      ACCOUNTING TERMS;UTILIZATION OF GAAP FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATIONS UNDER
         AGREEMENT

         Except  as  otherwise   expressly  provided  in  this  Agreement,   all
accounting terms not otherwise  defined herein shall have the meanings  assigned
to them in conformity  with GAAP.  Financial  statements  and other  information
required to be  delivered by Company to Lenders  pursuant to clauses (i),  (ii),
(iii) and (xiii) of subsection 5.1 shall be prepared in accordance  with GAAP as
in effect  at the time of such  preparation  (and  delivered  together  with the
reconciliation  statements provided for in subsection  5.1(v)).  Calculations in
connection  with  the  definitions,  covenants  and  other  provisions  of  this
Agreement  shall utilize  accounting  principles and policies in conformity with
those used to prepare the financial statements referred to in subsection 4.3.

1.3      OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

         A. Any of the terms defined  herein may,  unless the context  otherwise
requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference.

         B. References to "Sections" and "subsections"  shall be to Sections and
subsections,  respectively,  of this  Agreement  unless  otherwise  specifically
provided.

         C. The use herein of the word "include" or "including",  when following
any general  statement,  term or matter,  shall not be  construed  to limit such
statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately
following such word or to similar items or matters,  whether or not  nonlimiting
language  (such as  "without  limitation"  or "but not  limited  to" or words of
similar  import) is used with reference  thereto,  but rather shall be deemed to
refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope
of such general statement, term or matter.

         D. Any term incorporated herein from the Revolving Credit Agreement (as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) shall continue to
have the meaning  assigned  thereto  whether or not the  Revolving  Agreement is
still in effect.

                                       39
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 2.
                   AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.1      COMMITMENTS; MAKING OF LOANS; THE REGISTER; NOTES.

         A.  COMMITMENTS.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and in reliance upon the  representations  and  warranties of Company herein set
forth, each Lender hereby severally agrees to maintain or to lend to Company, as
the case may be, the AXELs described in subsections 2.1A(i) and 2.1A(ii) for the
purposes identified in subsection 2.5A.

                  (i) Existing  AXELs.  Company  acknowledges  and confirms that
         each  Existing  Lender  holds  Existing  AXELs  outstanding  as of  the
         Restatement  Effective  Date.  Company  hereby  represents,   warrants,
         agrees,  covenants and (1) reaffirms  that it has no defense,  set off,
         claim or  counterclaim  against  any  Agent or  Lender in regard to its
         Obligations  in respect of such  Existing  AXELs and (2)  reaffirms its
         obligation to pay such Existing AXELs in accordance  with the terms and
         conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Based on the
         foregoing,  (A) Company and each Lender agree that the  Existing  AXELs
         and any amounts owed  (whether or not  presently  due and payable,  and
         including all interest accrued to the Restatement Effective Date (which
         shall be payable on the next Interest  Payment Date with respect to the
         AXELs to which such interest relates)) by Company to Lenders thereunder
         or in respect thereof shall,  as of the Restatement  Effective Date, be
         converted to,  maintained  as, and owed by Company under and in respect
         of AXELS  hereunder.  Amounts  repaid or prepaid in respect of Existing
         AXELs may not be reborrowed.

                  (ii) Additional AXELs. Each Lender severally agrees to lend to
         Company on the  Restatement  Effective Date an amount not exceeding its
         Pro  Rata  Share  of  the  aggregate  amount  of  the  Additional  AXEL
         Commitments,  to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5.
         The amount of each  Lender's  Additional  AXEL  Commitment is set forth
         opposite  its name on  Schedule  2.1 annexed  hereto and the  aggregate
         amount of the Additional AXEL Commitment is $40,000,000;  provided that
         the  Additional  AXEL  Commitments of Lenders shall be adjusted to give
         effect to any assignments of the Additional AXEL  Commitments  pursuant
         to subsection  9.1B. Each Lender's  Additional  AXEL  Commitment  shall
         expire  immediately  and without  further action on October 31, 1998 if
         the Additional AXELs are not funded on or before that date. Company may
         make only one borrowing under the Additional AXEL Commitments.  Amounts
         borrowed  under this  subsection  2.1A(ii) and  subsequently  repaid or
         prepaid may not be reborrowed.

         B. BORROWING MECHANICS. Additional AXELs that are Eurodollar Rate AXELs
with a particular  Interest  Period shall be in an aggregate  minimum  amount of
$1,000,000  and integral  multiples  of $100,000 in excess of that amount.  When
Company  desires  that  


                                       40
<PAGE>

Lenders make Additional AXELs it shall deliver to Administrative  Agent a Notice
of  Borrowing  no later  than 10:00  A.M.  (New York City  time) at least  three
Business Days in advance of the proposed Restatement Effective Date (in the case
of Additional AXELs that are Eurodollar Rate AXELs) or at least one Business Day
in advance of the proposed  Closing Date (in the case of  Additional  AXELs that
are Base Rate  AXELs).  The Notice of Borrowing  shall  specify (i) the proposed
Restatement  Effective  Date (which  shall be a Business  Day),  (ii) the amount
requested,  (iii)  whether  such  Additional  AXELS  shall be Base Rate AXELs or
Eurodollar Rate AXELs and (iv) in the case of any Additional  AXELS requested to
be  made as  Eurodollar  Rate  AXELs,  the  initial  Interest  Period  requested
therefor. Additional AXELs may be continued as or converted into Base Rate AXELs
and Eurodollar Rate AXELs in the manner provided in subsection  2.2D. In lieu of
delivering   the   above-described   Notice  of  Borrowing,   Company  may  give
Administrative  Agent  telephonic  notice by the  required  time of any proposed
borrowing  under  this  subsection  2.1B;  provided  that such  notice  shall be
promptly  confirmed  in  writing  by  delivery  of  a  Notice  of  Borrowing  to
Administrative Agent on or before the Restatement Effective Date.

         Neither  Administrative  Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to  Company  in  acting  upon any  telephonic  notice  referred  to  above  that
Administrative  Agent  believes  in good  faith  to have  been  given  by a duly
authorized  officer or other person authorized to borrow on behalf of Company or
for otherwise  acting in good faith under this subsection 2.1B, and upon funding
of Additional AXELs by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any
such telephonic notice Company shall have effected Additional AXELs hereunder.

         Company  shall  notify  Administrative  Agent prior to the  Restatement
Effective Date in the event that any of the matters to which Company is required
to certify in the Notice of  Borrowing  is no longer  true and correct as of the
Restatement Effective Date, and the acceptance by Company of the proceeds of any
Additional  AXELs shall  constitute  a  re-certification  by Company,  as of the
Restatement  Effective  Date,  as to the matters to which Company is required to
certify in the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

         Except as  otherwise  provided in  subsections  2.6B,  2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Borrowing  for  Additional  AXELs that are  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs (or
telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related
Interest Rate Determination Date, and Company shall be bound to make a borrowing
in accordance therewith.

         C.  DISBURSEMENT  OF FUNDS.  All Additional  AXELs under this Agreement
shall be made by Lenders  simultaneously and proportionately to their respective
Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any
default  by any  other  Lender  in that  other  Lender's  obligation  to make an
Additional AXEL requested  hereunder nor shall the Additional AXEL Commitment of
any Lender to make the Additional  AXEL requested be increased or decreased as a
result of a default by any other  Lender in that other  Lender's  obligation  to
make  an  Additional  AXEL  requested  hereunder.  Promptly  


                                       41
<PAGE>

after  receipt by  Administrative  Agent of a Notice of  Borrowing  pursuant  to
subsection  2.1B (or telephonic  notice in lieu thereof),  Administrative  Agent
shall notify each Lender of the proposed  borrowing.  Each Lender shall make the
amount of its Additional AXEL available to  Administrative  Agent not later than
12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the  Restatement  Effective Date, in same day
funds in Dollars, at the Funding and Payment Office. Upon satisfaction or waiver
of the conditions precedent specified in subsections 3.1 and 3.2, Administrative
Agent shall make the proceeds of such  Additional  AXELs available to Company on
the Restatement Effective Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars
equal to the proceeds of all such  Additional  AXELs received by  Administrative
Agent from  Lenders to be  credited to the account of Company at the Funding and
Payment Office.

         Unless  Administrative  Agent  shall have been  notified  by any Lender
prior to the Restatement Effective Date that such Lender does not intend to make
available to  Administrative  Agent the amount of such Lender's  Additional AXEL
requested on the  Restatement  Effective Date,  Administrative  Agent may assume
that such Lender has made such amount available to  Administrative  Agent on the
Restatement Effective Date and Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion,
but shall not be obligated to, make available to Company a corresponding  amount
on the Restatement  Effective Date. If such corresponding  amount is not in fact
made  available to  Administrative  Agent by such Lender,  Administrative  Agent
shall be  entitled  to recover  such  corresponding  amount on demand  from such
Lender  together  with  interest  thereon,  for each  day  from the  Restatement
Effective Date until the date such amount is paid to  Administrative  Agent,  at
the  customary  rate set by  Administrative  Agent for the  correction of errors
among banks for three  Business  Days and  thereafter  at the Base Rate. If such
Lender does not pay such  corresponding  amount  forthwith  upon  Administrative
Agent's demand therefor,  Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Company and
Company shall immediately pay such corresponding  amount to Administrative Agent
together  with  interest  thereon,  for each day from the Closing Date until the
date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable under this
Agreement for Base Rate AXELs.  Nothing in this  subsection 2.1C shall be deemed
to relieve  any  Lender  from its  obligation  to fulfill  its  Additional  AXEL
Commitments  hereunder or to prejudice  any rights that Company may have against
any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

         D.       THE REGISTER.

                  (i)  Administrative  Agent  shall  maintain,  at  its  address
         referred to in subsection  9.8, a register for the  recordation  of the
         names and addresses of Lenders and the Additional AXEL  Commitments and
         AXELs of each Lender from time to time (the  "REGISTER").  The Register
         shall be  available  for  inspection  by  Company  or any Lender at any
         reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                                       42
<PAGE>

                  (ii)  Administrative  Agent shall  record in the  Register the
         Additional  AXEL  Commitment  and the  AXELs  from time to time of each
         Lender and each  repayment or  prepayment  in respect of the  principal
         amount  of the  AXEL of each  Lender.  Any  such  recordation  shall be
         conclusive  and binding on Company  and each  Lender,  absent  manifest
         error; provided that failure to make any such recordation, or any error
         in such  recordation,  shall not affect any  Lender's  Additional  AXEL
         Commitment or Company's Obligations in respect of any AXELs.

                  (iii)  Each  Lender  shall  record  on  its  internal  records
         (including  the AXEL Notes held by such Lender) the amount of the AXELs
         made by it and each payment in respect  thereof.  Any such  recordation
         shall be  conclusive  and binding on Company,  absent  manifest  error;
         provided  that  failure to make any such  recordation,  or any error in
         such  recordation,  shall  not  affect  any  Lender's  Additional  AXEL
         Commitment  or  Company's  Obligations  in  respect  of any  AXELs  and
         provided,  further that in the event of any  inconsistency  between the
         Register and any Lender's  records,  the  recordations  in the Register
         shall govern.

                  (iv) Company,  Administrative Agent and Lenders shall deem and
         treat the Persons  listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and
         owners  of the  corresponding  Additional  AXEL  Commitments  and AXELs
         listed therein for all purposes  hereof,  and no assignment or transfer
         of any such Additional  AXEL Commitment or AXEL shall be effective,  in
         each  case  unless  and until an  Assignment  Agreement  effecting  the
         assignment   or   transfer   thereof   shall  have  been   accepted  by
         Administrative  Agent and  recorded  in the  Register  as  provided  in
         subsection 9.1B(ii).  Prior to such recordation,  all amounts owed with
         respect to the applicable  Additional  AXEL Commitment or AXEL shall be
         owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any
         request,  authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making
         such  request or giving such  authority  or  consent,  is listed in the
         Register as a Lender shall be conclusive  and binding on any subsequent
         holder,  assignee or transferee of the  corresponding  Additional  AXEL
         Commitments or AXELs.

                  (v)  Company  hereby  designates  Fleet to serve as  Company's
         agent  solely for purposes of  maintaining  the Register as provided in
         this  subsection  2.1D,  and Company  hereby agrees that, to the extent
         Fleet  serves  in such  capacity,  Fleet and its  officers,  directors,
         employees,  agents and affiliates shall constitute  Indemnitees for all
         purposes under subsection 9.3.

         E.  ADDITIONAL  AXEL NOTES.  Company  shall  execute and deliver on the
Restatement  Effective Date to each Lender having an Additional  AXEL Commitment
(or  to   Administrative   Agent  for  that  Lender)  an  Additional  AXEL  Note
substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  III  annexed  hereto  to  evidence  that
Lender's  Additional AXEL, in the principal  amount of that Lender's  Additional
AXEL and with other appropriate insertions.

                                       43
<PAGE>

2.2      INTEREST ON THE LOANS.

         A. RATE OF INTEREST.  Subject to the provisions of subsections  2.6 and
2.7, each AXEL shall bear interest on the unpaid  principal  amount thereof from
the date made through maturity  (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate
determined by reference to the Base Rate or the Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate.  The
applicable  basis for  determining the rate of interest with respect to any AXEL
shall be  selected by Company  initially  at the time a Notice of  Borrowing  is
given with  respect to such AXEL  pursuant  to  subsection  2.1B.  The basis for
determining  the interest rate with respect to any AXEL may be changed from time
to time pursuant to subsection  2.2D. If on any day an AXEL is outstanding  with
respect  to which  notice  has not been  delivered  to  Administrative  Agent in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement  specifying the applicable basis for
determining  the rate of  interest,  then for that  day  that  AXEL  shall  bear
interest determined by reference to the Base Rate.

         Subject to the provisions of subsections  2.2E and 2.7, the AXELs shall
bear interest through maturity as follows:

                  (i) if a Base Rate AXEL, then at the sum of the Base Rate plus
         1-3/8% per annum; or

                  (ii)  if a  Eurodollar  Rate  AXEL,  then  at  the  sum of the
         Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus 2-3/8% per annum.

         B. INTEREST  PERIODS.  In connection  with each  Eurodollar  Rate AXEL,
Company  may,  pursuant  to the  applicable  Notice  of  Borrowing  or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation,  as the case may be, select an interest period (each an
"INTEREST PERIOD") to be applicable to such Eurodollar Rate AXEL, which Interest
Period shall be, at Company's option,  either a one-, two-,  three-or  six-month
period; provided that:

                  (i) the initial  Interest  Period for any Eurodollar Rate AXEL
         shall  commence (i) on the Closing  Date in respect of such  Eurodollar
         Rate  AXEL,  in the  case  of an  Existing  AXEL  initially  made  as a
         Eurodollar Rate AXEL, (ii) on the Restatement Effective Date in respect
         of  such  Eurodollar  Rate  AXEL,  in the  case of an  Additional  AXEL
         initially  made  as a  Eurodollar  Rate  AXEL,  or  (iii)  on the  date
         specified in the applicable Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  in the
         case of an AXEL converted to a Eurodollar Rate AXEL;

                  (ii) in the case of immediately  successive  Interest  Periods
         applicable  to a Eurodollar  Rate AXEL  continued as such pursuant to a
         Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  each  successive  Interest  Period
         shall commence on the day on which the next preceding  Interest  Period
         expires;

                                       44
<PAGE>

                  (iii) if an Interest  Period would  otherwise  expire on a day
         that is not a Business Day,  such  Interest  Period shall expire on the
         next  succeeding  Business Day;  provided that, if any Interest  Period
         would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day
         of the month after which no further  Business Day occurs in such month,
         such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

                  (iv) any Interest  Period that begins on the last Business Day
         of a  calendar  month  (or on a day for which  there is no  numerically
         corresponding  day in the  calendar  month at the end of such  Interest
         Period) shall,  subject to clause (v) of this  subsection  2.2B, end on
         the last Business Day of a calendar month;

                  (v) no  Interest  Period  with  respect to any  portion of the
         AXELs shall extend beyond December 31, 2004;

                  (vi) no  Interest  Period  with  respect to any portion of the
         AXELs shall extend beyond a date on which Company is required to make a
         scheduled  payment of  principal of the AXELs unless the sum of (a) the
         aggregate  principal  amount of AXELs that are Base Rate AXELs plus (b)
         the aggregate  principal amount of AXELs that are Eurodollar Rate AXELs
         with Interest Periods expiring on or before such date equals or exceeds
         the principal amount required to be paid on the AXELs on such date;

                  (vii) there shall be no more than seven (7)  Interest  Periods
         outstanding at any time under this  Agreement and the Revolving  Credit
         Agreement; and

                  (viii) in the  event  Company  fails to  specify  an  Interest
         Period  for any  Eurodollar  Rate  AXEL  in the  applicable  Notice  of
         Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, Company shall be deemed
         to have selected an Interest Period of one month.

         C. INTEREST  PAYMENTS.  Subject to the  provisions of subsection  2.2E,
interest  on each AXEL  shall be  payable  in  arrears  on and to each  Interest
Payment Date  applicable to that AXEL,  upon any prepayment of that AXEL (to the
extent  accrued on the amount being  prepaid) and at maturity  (including  final
maturity).

         D. CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION.  Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.6, Company shall have the option (i) to convert at any time all or any part of
its outstanding AXELs equal to $1,000,000 and integral  multiples of $100,000 in
excess of that amount from Base Rate AXELs to  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs or (ii) to
convert at any time all or any part of its  outstanding  AXELs equal to $100,000
and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount from Eurodollar Rate
AXELs to Base Rate AXELs upon the expiration of any Interest  Period  applicable
to a Eurodollar  Rate AXEL,  to continue  all or any portion of such  Eurodollar
Rate AXEL equal to  $1,000,000  and integral  multiples of $100,000 in excess of
that amount as a Eurodollar Rate AXEL; provided, however, that a Eurodollar Rate

                                       45
<PAGE>

AXEL may only be converted  into a Base Rate AXEL on the  expiration  date of an
Interest Period applicable thereto.

         Company   shall   deliver  a  Notice  of   Conversion/Continuation   to
Administrative  Agent no later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) at least one
Business  Day in  advance  of the  proposed  conversion  date  (in the case of a
conversion  to a Base Rate AXEL) and at least three  Business Days in advance of
the proposed  conversion/continuation date (in the case of a conversion to, or a
continuation  of, a Eurodollar  Rate AXEL). A Notice of  Conversion/Continuation
shall  specify (i) the proposed  conversion/continuation  date (which shall be a
Business Day),  (ii) the amount to be  converted/continued,  (iii) the nature of
the proposed conversion/continuation,  (iv) in the case of a conversion to, or a
continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate AXEL, the requested  Interest Period, and (v)
in the case of a conversion  to, or a continuation  of, a Eurodollar  Rate AXEL,
that no  Potential  Event of  Default or Event of Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing.    In   lieu   of   delivering   the   above-described   Notice   of
Conversion/Continuation, Company may give Administrative Agent telephonic notice
by  the  required  time  of  any  proposed  conversion/continuation  under  this
subsection  2.2D;  provided  that such  notice  shall be promptly  confirmed  in
writing by delivery  of a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  to  Administrative
Agent on or before the proposed  conversion/continuation  date.  Upon receipt of
written or telephonic notice of any proposed  conversion/continuation under this
subsection  2.2D,  Administrative  Agent shall promptly  transmit such notice by
telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender.

         Neither  Administrative  Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to  Company  in  acting  upon any  telephonic  notice  referred  to  above  that
Administrative  Agent  believes  in good  faith  to have  been  given  by a duly
authorized officer or other person authorized to act on behalf of Company or for
otherwise  acting in good faith under this subsection  2.2D, and upon conversion
or continuation  of the applicable  basis for determining the interest rate with
respect to any AXELs in  accordance  with this  Agreement  pursuant  to any such
telephonic  notice Company shall have effected a conversion or continuation,  as
the case may be, hereunder.

         Except as  otherwise  provided in  subsections  2.6B,  2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  for  conversion  to, or  continuation  of, a
Eurodollar Rate AXEL (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable
on and after the related Interest Rate Determination  Date, and Company shall be
bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

         E. DEFAULT RATE. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any
Event of  Default,  the  outstanding  principal  amount of all AXELs and, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, any interest  payments thereon not paid when
due and any  fees  and  other  amounts  then due and  payable  hereunder,  shall
thereafter  bear interest  (including  post-petition  interest in any proceeding
under the  Bankruptcy  Code or other  applicable  bankruptcy  laws) payable upon
demand at a rate that is 2% per annum in excess of the interest  rate  otherwise
payable under this Agreement  with respect to the  applicable  AXELs 


                                       46
<PAGE>

(or, in the case of any such fees and other  amounts,  at a rate which is 2% per
annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise  payable under this Agreement for
Base Rate AXELs);  provided that, in the case of Eurodollar Rate AXELs, upon the
expiration  of the  Interest  Period in effect at the time any such  increase in
interest rate is effective such  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs shall  thereupon  become
Base Rate AXELs and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate
which is 2% per annum in excess of the interest  rate  otherwise  payable  under
this Agreement for Base Rate AXELs. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates
of interest provided for in this subsection 2.2E is not a permitted  alternative
to timely  payment and shall not  constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or
otherwise  prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Administrative  Agent or
any Lender.

         F. COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.  Interest on the AXELs shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day  year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed
in the period during which it accrues.  In computing  interest on any AXEL,  the
date  of the  making  of  such  AXEL  or the  first  day of an  Interest  Period
applicable  to such AXEL or,  with  respect to a Base Rate AXEL being  converted
from a Eurodollar Rate AXEL, the date of conversion of such Eurodollar Rate AXEL
to such Base Rate AXEL,  as the case may be, shall be included,  and the date of
payment of such AXEL or the expiration date of an Interest Period  applicable to
such AXEL or, with  respect to a Base Rate AXEL being  converted to a Eurodollar
Rate AXEL, the date of conversion of such Base Rate AXEL to such Eurodollar Rate
AXEL,  as the case may be, shall be excluded;  provided that if a AXEL is repaid
on the same day on which it is made,  one day's  interest  shall be paid on that
AXEL.

2.3      FEES.

         Company agrees to pay to Arranger and  Administrative  Agent (including
fees payable to Administrative  Agent for distribution to Existing Lenders) such
fees in the amounts and at the times  separately  agreed upon  between  Company,
Arranger and Administrative Agent.

2.4      REPAYMENTS,  PREPAYMENTS;  GENERAL PROVISIONS  REGARDING PAYMENTS;  
         APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL AND PAYMENTS UNDER SUBSIDIARY 
         GUARANTY.

         A. SCHEDULED  PAYMENTS OF AXELS.  Company shall make principal payments
on the AXELs in installments on the dates and in the amounts set forth below (it
being  understood  and agreed  that the  amounts  set forth  below  reflect  the
borrowing of the full amount of Additional  AXELs on the  Restatement  Effective
Date):

                                       47
<PAGE>

======================================= ==========================
                                                        SCHEDULED
               PAYMENT                                  REPAYMENT
                 DATE                                    OF AXELS
======================================= ==========================
September 30, 1998                                       $393,002
======================================= ==========================
December 31, 1998                                        $393,002
======================================= ==========================
March 31, 1999                                           $393,002
======================================= ==========================
June 30, 1999                                            $393,002
======================================= ==========================
September 30, 1999                                       $393,002
======================================= ==========================
December 31, 1999                                        $393,002
======================================= ==========================
March 31, 2000                                           $393,002
======================================= ==========================
June 30, 2000                                            $393,002
======================================= ==========================
September 30, 2000                                       $393,002
======================================= ==========================
December 31, 2000                                        $393,002
======================================= ==========================
March 31, 2001                                           $393,002
======================================= ==========================
June 30, 2001                                            $393,002
======================================= ==========================
September 30, 2001                                       $393,002
======================================= ==========================
December 31, 2001                                        $393,002
======================================= ==========================
March 31, 2002                                           $393,002
======================================= ==========================
June 30, 2002                                            $393,002
======================================= ==========================
September 30, 2002                                       $393,002
======================================= ==========================
December 31, 2002                                        $393,002
======================================= ==========================
March 31, 2003                                         $6,717,992
======================================= ==========================
June 30, 2003                                          $6,717,992
======================================= ==========================
September 30, 2003                                    $18,667,620
======================================= ==========================
December 31, 2003                                     $18,667,620
======================================= ==========================
March 31, 2004                                        $18,667,620
======================================= ==========================
June 30, 2004                                         $18,667,620
======================================= ==========================
September 30, 2004                                    $30,617,250
======================================= ==========================



                                       48
<PAGE>
======================================= ==========================
                                                        SCHEDULED
               PAYMENT                                  REPAYMENT
                 DATE                                    OF AXELS
======================================= ==========================
December 31, 2004                                     $30,617,250
======================================= ==========================
                TOTAL                                $157,000,000
======================================= ==========================


         ; provided  that the scheduled  installments  of principal of the AXELs
         set forth above shall be reduced in  connection  with any  voluntary or
         mandatory  prepayments  of the  AXELs  in  accordance  with  subsection
         2.4B(iii);  and provided,  further that the AXELs and all other amounts
         owed hereunder with respect to the AXELs shall be paid in full no later
         than December 31, 2004, and the final installment payable by Company in
         respect of the AXELs on such date shall be in an amount, if such amount
         is different from that specified above, sufficient to repay all amounts
         owing by Company under this Agreement with respect to the AXELs.

         B.       PREPAYMENTS.

                  (i)      Voluntary Prepayments.

                           (a) Notice of Prepayment.  Company may, upon not less
                  than one Business Day's prior written or telephonic notice, in
                  the case of Base Rate AXELs,  and three  Business  Days' prior
                  written or telephonic  notice,  in the case of Eurodollar Rate
                  AXELs,  in each case  given to  Administrative  Agent by 12:00
                  Noon (New York City time) on the date  required  and, if given
                  by telephone,  promptly confirmed in writing to Administrative
                  Agent   (which   original   written   or   telephonic   notice
                  Administrative  Agent will promptly  transmit by telefacsimile
                  or  telephone  to each  Lender),  at any time and from time to
                  time prepay any AXELs on any  Business Day in whole or in part
                  in an  aggregate  minimum  amount of  $1,000,000  and integral
                  multiples  of  $500,000  in excess of that  amount.  Notice of
                  prepayment  having  been  given as  aforesaid,  the  principal
                  amount of the AXELs  specified in such notice shall become due
                  and payable on the prepayment date specified therein. Any such
                  voluntary   prepayment   shall  be  applied  as  specified  in
                  subsection 2.4B(iii).

                           (b)  Prepayment  Fees. If any portion of the AXELs is
                  prepaid (1)  pursuant to clause (a) of  subsection  2.4B(i) or
                  (2) pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) of subsection 2.4B(ii),
                  in each case on or prior to the date  that is 18 months  after
                  the Closing Date,  Company shall pay to Administrative  Agent,
                  for  distribution  to the  holders  of the AXELs so prepaid in
                  accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, a fee equal to (x) 1.5%
                  of the principal  amount of AXELs so prepaid during the period
                  commencing  on the Closing Date and 


                                       49
<PAGE>

                  ending  on the  day  prior  to the  first  anniversary  of the
                  Closing Date and (y) 0.75% of the principal amount of AXELs so
                  prepaid during the period  commencing on the first anniversary
                  of the  Closing  Date and ending 18 months  after the  Closing
                  Date.

                  (ii) Mandatory Prepayments.  The AXELs shall be prepaid in the
         amounts  and  under  the   circumstances  set  forth  below,  all  such
         prepayments  to be applied as set forth  below or as more  specifically
         provided in subsection 2.4B(iii):

                           (a)   Prepayments   From   Unreinvested   Asset  Sale
                  Proceeds.  No later than the first  Business Day following the
                  date on which any Net Asset Sale Proceeds become  Unreinvested
                  Asset  Sale  Proceeds,  Company  shall  prepay the AXELs in an
                  aggregate  amount  equal  to  such  Unreinvested   Asset  Sale
                  Proceeds;  provided,  further  that,  with respect to an Asset
                  Sale  of  any  asset  owned  by  a  Foreign  Subsidiary,   the
                  Unreinvested  Asset Sale Proceeds in respect  thereof shall be
                  applied (i) first, to the extent such  Unreinvested  Net Asset
                  Sale Proceeds may be  repatriated to the United States without
                  in the  reasonable  judgment  of the  Company  resulting  in a
                  material tax liability to Company in relation to the amount of
                  proceeds to be  repatriated,  to prepay the AXELs as set forth
                  above in this  subsection  2.4B(ii)(a),  (ii)  second,  to the
                  extent of any  remaining  portion of such  Unreinvested  Asset
                  Sale Proceeds,  to finance the general  corporate  purposes of
                  such Foreign  Subsidiary  so long as the aggregate of all such
                  amounts so applied by all Foreign Subsidiaries with respect to
                  Asset Sales consummated after the Closing Date does not exceed
                  $5,000,000,  and (iii) third,  to the extent of any  remaining
                  portion of such  Unreinvested  Asset Sale Proceeds,  to prepay
                  the AXELs as set forth above in this  subsection  2.4B(ii)(a).
                  Concurrently  with  any  determination  by  Company  that  any
                  portion of any Unreinvested Asset Sale Proceeds of any Foreign
                  Subsidiary  will be applied as described in clause (ii) of the
                  immediately preceding proviso,  Company shall deliver to Agent
                  an Officers' Certificate (w) certifying that such Unreinvested
                  Asset Sale Proceeds cannot be repatriated to the United States
                  without  resulting in a material tax  liability to Company and
                  the   reasons   therefor,   (y)   specifying   the  amount  of
                  Unreinvested  Asset  Sale  Proceeds  to be  retained  by  such
                  Foreign  Subsidiary  as  described in said clause (ii) and the
                  cumulative  aggregate  amount of all such  Unreinvested  Asset
                  Sale  Proceeds so retained by all Foreign  Subsidiaries  since
                  the  date  of  this  Agreement  and  (z)   demonstrating   the
                  derivation  of the  Unreinvested  Asset Sale  Proceeds  of the
                  correlative Asset Sale from the gross sales price thereof.

                           (b)  Prepayments   from  Net   Insurance/Condemnation
                  Proceeds.  No later than the first  Business Day following the
                  date of receipt by  Administrative  Agent or by Company or any
                  of its Subsidiaries of any Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds
                  that are  required to be applied to prepay 


                                       50
<PAGE>

                  the AXELs  pursuant  to the  provisions  of  subsection  5.4C,
                  Company shall prepay the AXELs in an aggregate amount equal to
                  the amount of such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds.

                           (c)  Prepayments  Due to  Issuance  of Debt or Equity
                  Securities.  On the date of  receipt  by Company or any of its
                  Subsidiaries  of the Cash proceeds (any such proceeds,  net of
                  underwriting  discounts and commissions  and other  reasonable
                  costs and expenses associated therewith,  including reasonable
                  legal fees and expenses, being "NET SECURITIES PROCEEDS") from
                  the issuance of any debt (other than debt permitted by Section
                  6.1)  or  equity   Securities   of   Company  or  any  of  its
                  Subsidiaries  to any Person  other than  Company or any of its
                  Subsidiaries  (and excluding any private  issuances of Company
                  Common  Stock after the Closing  Date to the extent such funds
                  would not be required to prepay any other  Indebtedness of the
                  Company and its Subsidiaries)  after the Closing Date, Company
                  shall  prepay the AXELs in an  aggregate  amount equal to such
                  Net Securities Proceeds.

                           (d)  Prepayments  and  Reductions  from  Consolidated
                  Excess   Cash  Flow.   In  the  event  that  there   shall  be
                  Consolidated  Excess Cash Flow for any Fiscal Year (commencing
                  with Fiscal Year 1998),  Company shall,  no later than 90 days
                  after  the end of such  Fiscal  Year,  prepay  the AXELs in an
                  aggregate amount equal to 75% of such Consolidated Excess Cash
                  Flow;   provided  that  for  any  Fiscal  Year  in  which  the
                  Consolidated  Leverage  Ratio as of the end of any such Fiscal
                  Year is less than  3.75:1,  such  percentage  of  Consolidated
                  Excess Cash Flow  applied to prepay the AXELs shall be reduced
                  to 50%.

                           (e) Calculations of Net Proceeds Amounts;  Additional
                  Prepayments  Based on  Subsequent  Calculations.  Concurrently
                  with any  prepayment  of the  AXELs  pursuant  to  subsections
                  2.4B(ii)(a)-(e), Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent
                  an Officers' Certificate  demonstrating the calculation of the
                  amount  (the  "NET   PROCEEDS   AMOUNT")  of  the   applicable
                  Unreinvested Asset Sale Proceeds or Net Insurance/Condemnation
                  Proceeds, the applicable Net Securities Proceeds (as such term
                  is  defined  in  subsection  2.4B(ii)(c))  or  the  applicable
                  Consolidated  Excess Cash Flow,  as the case may be, that gave
                  rise to such  prepayment.  In the  event  that  Company  shall
                  subsequently determine that the actual Net Proceeds Amount was
                  greater   than  the  amount   set  forth  in  such   Officers'
                  Certificate,   Company  shall   promptly  make  an  additional
                  prepayment  of the AXELs in an amount  equal to the  amount of
                  such excess, and Company shall concurrently  therewith deliver
                  to Administrative Agent an Officers' Certificate demonstrating
                  the derivation of the additional Net Proceeds Amount resulting
                  in such excess.

                                       51
<PAGE>

                  (iii) Application of Prepayments.

                           (a)   Application  of  Voluntary   Prepayments.   Any
                  voluntary  prepayments pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i) shall be
                  applied to reduce the scheduled  installments  of principal of
                  the AXELs set forth in subsections 2.4A on a pro rata basis.

                           (b)   Application  of  Mandatory   Prepayments.   Any
                  mandatory  prepayments  of the AXELs  pursuant  to  subsection
                  2.4B(ii) shall be applied to reduce the scheduled installments
                  of  principal of the AXELs set forth in  subsection  2.4A on a
                  pro rata basis.

                           (c) Application of Prepayments to Base Rate AXELs and
                  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs.  Subject to the  requirement  that any
                  prepayment  of the AXELs  shall be applied to the  outstanding
                  AXELs of all Lenders in  proportion  to their  respective  Pro
                  Rata Shares, any such prepayment of the AXELs shall be applied
                  first to Base Rate  AXELs to the full  extent  thereof  before
                  application  to  Eurodollar  Rate  AXELs,  in a  manner  which
                  minimizes  the amount of any  payments  required to be made by
                  Company pursuant to subsection 2.6D.

         C.       GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING PAYMENTS.

                  (i) Manner and Time of  Payment.  All  payments  by Company of
         principal, interest, fees and other Obligations hereunder and under the
         AXEL Notes shall be made in Dollars in same day funds, without defense,
         setoff or  counterclaim,  free of any  restriction  or  condition,  and
         delivered to  Administrative  Agent not later than 12:00 Noon (New York
         City time) on the date due at the Funding  and  Payment  Office for the
         account of Lenders;  funds received by Administrative  Agent after that
         time on such due date  shall be deemed to have been paid by  Company on
         the  next   succeeding   Business  Day.   Company   hereby   authorizes
         Administrative  Agent to charge its accounts with Administrative  Agent
         in order to cause timely payment to be made to Administrative  Agent of
         all principal,  interest,  fees and expenses due hereunder  (subject to
         sufficient funds being available in its accounts for that purpose).

                  (ii)  Application  of Payments to Principal and Interest.  All
         payments in respect of the  principal  amount of any AXEL shall include
         payment of accrued  interest on the  principal  amount  being repaid or
         prepaid,  and all such  payments  shall be  applied  to the  payment of
         interest before application to principal.

                  (iii)  Apportionment  of  Payments.  Aggregate  principal  and
         interest  payments shall be apportioned  among all outstanding AXELs to
         which such payments relate,  in each case  proportionately  to Lenders'
         respective  Pro  Rata  Shares.   


                                       52
<PAGE>

         Administrative  Agent shall promptly  distribute to each Lender, at its
         primary address set forth below its name on the  appropriate  signature
         page hereof or at such other  address as such Lender may  request,  its
         Pro Rata Share of all such payments received by  Administrative  Agent.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection  2.4C(iii),
         if,  pursuant  to the  provisions  of  subsection  2.6C,  any Notice of
         Conversion/Continuation  is withdrawn  as to any Affected  Lender or if
         any Affected Lender makes Base Rate AXELs in lieu of its Pro Rata Share
         of any Eurodollar  Rate AXELs,  Administrative  Agent shall give effect
         thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

                  (iv)  Payments on Business  Days.  Whenever  any payment to be
         made  hereunder  shall  be  stated  to be  due on a day  that  is not a
         Business  Day,  such  payment  shall  be  made on the  next  succeeding
         Business  Day and  such  extension  of time  shall be  included  in the
         computation  of the payment of interest  hereunder or of the commitment
         fees hereunder, as the case may be.

                  (v) Notation of Payment.  Each AXEL Lender  agrees that before
         disposing of any AXEL Note held by it, or any part thereof  (other than
         by granting  participations  therein), that Lender will make a notation
         thereon  of all AXELs  evidenced  by that  AXEL Note and all  principal
         payments  previously  made  thereon  and of the date to which  interest
         thereon has been paid;  provided that the failure to make (or any error
         in the  making  of) a  notation  of any AXEL made  under such AXEL Note
         shall  not  limit  or  otherwise  affect  the  obligations  of  Company
         hereunder  or under  such  AXEL Note  with  respect  to any AXEL or any
         payments of principal or interest on such AXEL Note.

2.5      USE OF PROCEEDS.

         A. AXELS. The proceeds of the Existing AXELs were applied by Company to
fund a portion of the Recapitalization  Financing Requirements.  The proceeds of
the  Additional  AXELs,  together  with (i) cash on hand at the Company and (ii)
proceeds of incremental  borrowings  under the Revolving  Credit Agreement in an
amount up to $23,500,000 plus the excess, if any, of $15,000,000 over the amount
of cash on hand at the Company on the  Restatement  Effective Date, will be used
to pay the cash portion of the  consideration  for the Anagram Shares and to pay
Anagram Transaction Costs.

         B. MARGIN  REGULATIONS.  No portion of the  proceeds  of any  borrowing
under this Agreement shall be used by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries in any
manner that might cause the  borrowing or the  application  of such  proceeds to
violate Regulation G, Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board or
to violate the  Exchange  Act, in each case as in effect on the date or dates of
such borrowing and such use of proceeds.

                                       53
<PAGE>

2.6      SPECIAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING EURODOLLAR RATE AXELS.

         Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the following  provisions  shall govern with respect to Eurodollar Rate AXELs as
to the matters covered:

         A.  DETERMINATION  OF APPLICABLE  INTEREST RATE. As soon as practicable
after 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination  Date,
Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest
error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that
shall  apply to the  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs for which an  interest  rate is then
being  determined  for the  applicable  Interest  Period and shall promptly give
notice thereof (in writing or by telephone  confirmed in writing) to Company and
each Lender.

         B. INABILITY TO DETERMINE  APPLICABLE  INTEREST RATE. In the event that
Administrative  Agent shall have determined (which  determination shall be final
and  conclusive  and binding  upon all parties  hereto),  on any  Interest  Rate
Determination  Date with respect to any Eurodollar Rate AXELs, that by reason of
circumstances  affecting the  Eurodollar  market  adequate and fair means do not
exist for  ascertaining  the interest rate  applicable to such  Eurodollar  Rate
AXELs on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate,
Administrative  Agent  shall on such date give  notice (by  telefacsimile  or by
telephone   confirmed   in   writing)   to  Company  and  each  Lender  of  such
determination,  whereupon (i) no AXELs may be converted to Eurodollar Rate AXELs
until such time as  Administrative  Agent notifies  Company and Lenders that the
circumstances  giving rise to such notice no longer exist and (ii) any Notice of
Conversion/Continuation given by Company with respect to the AXELs in respect of
which such determination was made shall be deemed to be rescinded by Company.

         C.  ILLEGALITY OR  IMPRACTICABILITY  OF EURODOLLAR  RATE AXELS.  In the
event that on any date any Lender  shall have  determined  (which  determination
shall be final and  conclusive  and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be
made only after  consultation  with Company and  Administrative  Agent) that the
making,  maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Rate AXELs (i) has become
unlawful  as a result of  compliance  by such Lender in good faith with any law,
treaty,  governmental  rule,  regulation,  guideline or order (or would conflict
with any such  treaty,  governmental  rule,  regulation,  guideline or order not
having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be
unlawful) or (ii) has become impracticable,  or would cause such Lender material
hardship,  as a  result  of  contingencies  occurring  after  the  date  of this
Agreement  which  materially and adversely  affect the Eurodollar  market or the
position of such Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender
shall  be an  "AFFECTED  LENDER"  and it  shall  on that  day  give  notice  (by
telefacsimile   or  by   telephone   confirmed   in   writing)  to  Company  and
Administrative  Agent of such determination  (which notice  Administrative Agent
shall promptly transmit to each other Lender).  Thereafter (a) the obligation of
the Affected Lender to convert AXELs to Eurodollar Rate AXELs shall be suspended
until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected  Lender,  (b) to the extent
such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a 


                                       54
<PAGE>

Eurodollar  Rate AXEL then being  requested  by Company  pursuant to a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation,  the Affected  Lender shall convert such AXEL to a Base
Rate AXEL,  (c) the Affected  Lender's  obligation  to maintain its  outstanding
Eurodollar Rate AXELs (the "AFFECTED  LOANS") shall be terminated at the earlier
to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to
the Affected  Loans or when  required by law,  and (d) the Affected  Loans shall
automatically  convert  into  Base Rate  AXELs on the date of such  termination.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  to the extent a  determination  by an Affected
Lender as described above relates to a Eurodollar Rate AXEL then being requested
by Company pursuant to a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  Company shall have
the option, subject to the provisions of subsection 2.6D, to rescind such Notice
of  Conversion/Continuation as to all Lenders by giving notice (by telefacsimile
or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Administrative Agent of such rescission
on the date on which the Affected  Lender gives notice of its  determination  as
described above (which notice of rescission  Administrative Agent shall promptly
transmit to each other Lender).  Except as provided in the immediately preceding
sentence,  nothing in this  subsection  2.6C shall affect the  obligation of any
Lender other than an Affected  Lender to maintain  AXELs as, or to convert AXELs
to, Eurodollar Rate AXELs in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         D. COMPENSATION FOR BREAKAGE OR  NON-COMMENCEMENT  OF INTEREST PERIODS.
Company shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by that Lender (which
request  shall  set  forth  the basis  for  requesting  such  amounts),  for all
reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid by that
Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its  Eurodollar  Rate
AXELs and any loss, expense or liability  sustained by that Lender in connection
with the  liquidation  or  re-employment  of such  funds)  which that Lender may
sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by that Lender) a borrowing
of any  Eurodollar  Rate AXEL does not occur on a date  specified  therefor in a
Notice of Borrowing or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or
continuation  of any  Eurodollar  Rate AXEL  does not occur on a date  specified
therefor  in a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  or a  telephonic  request for
conversion or  continuation,  (ii) if any  prepayment  (including any prepayment
pursuant to subsection  2.4B(i)) or other principal payment or any conversion of
any of its  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs  occurs on a date prior to the last day of an
Interest Period  applicable to that AXEL,  (iii) if any prepayment of any of its
Eurodollar  Rate  AXELs  is not  made  on any  date  specified  in a  notice  of
prepayment  given by Company,  or (iv) as a consequence  of any other default by
Company in the repayment of its Eurodollar Rate AXELs when required by the terms
of this Agreement.

         E.  BOOKING OF  EURODOLLAR  RATE AXELS.  Any Lender may make,  carry or
transfer  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs at, to, or for the account of any of its branch
offices or the office of an Affiliate of that Lender.

         F. ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING FUNDING OF EURODOLLAR RATE AXELS. Calculation
of all  amounts  payable  to a  Lender  under  this  subsection  2.6  and  under
subsection  2.7A shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded each of
its relevant  Eurodollar Rate 


                                       55
<PAGE>

AXELs through the purchase of a Eurodollar  deposit bearing interest at the rate
obtained pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in
an amount equal to the amount of such Eurodollar Rate AXEL and having a maturity
comparable  to the  relevant  Interest  Period and through the  transfer of such
Eurodollar  deposit from an offshore  office of that Lender to a domestic office
of that Lender in the United  States of America;  provided,  however,  that each
Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar  Rate AXELs in any manner it sees fit and
the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only for the purposes of calculating
amounts payable under this subsection 2.6 and under subsection 2.7A.

         G.  EURODOLLAR  RATE AXELS AFTER  DEFAULT.  After the occurrence of and
during the  continuation of a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default,
(i) Company may not elect to have an AXEL be  maintained  as, or converted to, a
Eurodollar  Rate AXEL after the expiration of any Interest Period then in effect
for that AXEL and (ii) subject to the provisions of subsection  2.6D, any Notice
of  Conversion/Continuation  given  by  Company  with  respect  to  a  requested
conversion/continuation  that  has  not  yet  occurred  shall  be  deemed  to be
rescinded by Company.

2.7      INCREASED COSTS; TAXES; CAPITAL ADEQUACY.

         A.  COMPENSATION  FOR  INCREASED  COSTS  AND  TAXES.   Subject  to  the
provisions of subsection  2.7B (which shall be  controlling  with respect to the
matters  covered  thereby and to the extent a Lender is not  entitled to payment
under the  terms of  Section  2.7B,  it shall not be  entitled  to such  payment
pursuant to this subsection  2.7A), in the event that any Lender shall determine
(which  determination  shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and
binding upon all parties  hereto)  that any law,  treaty or  governmental  rule,
regulation  or  order,   or  any  change  therein  or  in  the   interpretation,
administration  or application  thereof  (including the  introduction of any new
law, treaty or governmental rule,  regulation or order), or any determination of
a court or governmental authority, in each case that becomes effective after the
Closing Date (in the case of an Existing  Lender) or the  Restatement  Effective
Date (in the case of each New  Lender),  or  compliance  by such Lender with any
guideline,  request or  directive  issued or made after the Closing  Date by any
central bank or other governmental or  quasi-governmental  authority (whether or
not having the force of law):

                  (i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to
         any  additional  Tax (other  than any Tax on the  overall net income of
         such Lender) with respect to this  Agreement or any of its  obligations
         hereunder  or any  payments to such Lender (or its  applicable  lending
         office)  of  principal,  interest,  fees or any  other  amount  payable
         hereunder;

                  (ii)  imposes,   modifies  or  holds  applicable  any  reserve
         (including  any  marginal,  emergency,  supplemental,  special or other
         reserve),  special deposit,  compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar
         requirement against assets held by, or 


                                       56
<PAGE>

         deposits or other  liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or
         loans by, or other  credit  extended  by, or any other  acquisition  of
         funds by, any office of such  Lender  (other  than any such  reserve or
         other  requirements  with  respect  to  Eurodollar  Rate AXELs that are
         reflected in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or

                  (iii) imposes any other condition  (other than with respect to
         a Tax matter) on or affecting  such Lender (or its  applicable  lending
         office) or its obligations hereunder or the Eurodollar market;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
agreeing to make,  making or maintaining AXELs hereunder or to reduce any amount
received or receivable by such Lender (or its  applicable  lending  office) with
respect thereto by an amount  considered by the Lender to be material;  then, in
any such case,  Company shall  promptly pay to such Lender,  upon receipt of the
statement  referred to in the next sentence,  such additional  amount or amounts
(in the form of an  increased  rate of, or a  different  method of  calculating,
interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion  shall determine) as
may be  necessary  to  compensate  such  Lender for any such  increased  cost or
reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such Lender shall deliver
to Company (with a copy to Administrative  Agent) a written  statement,  setting
forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed
to such Lender under this subsection  2.7A,  which statement shall be conclusive
and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

         B.       WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.

                  (i) Payments to Be Free and Clear. All sums payable by Company
         under this Agreement and the other AXEL Loan Documents shall (except to
         the extent  required by law) be paid free and clear of, and without any
         deduction  or  withholding  on account of, any Tax (other than a Tax on
         the  overall  net income of any  Lender)  imposed,  levied,  collected,
         withheld or  assessed by or within the United  States of America or any
         political  subdivision  in or of the  United  States of  America or any
         other  jurisdiction  from or to which a payment is made by or on behalf
         of Company or by any  federation  or  organization  of which the United
         States of America or any such  jurisdiction  is a member at the time of
         payment.

                  (ii)  Grossing-up of Payments.  If Company or any other Person
         is required by law to make any deduction or  withholding  on account of
         any such Tax from any sum paid or payable by Company to  Administrative
         Agent or any Lender under any of the AXEL Loan Documents:

                           (a) Company shall notify  Administrative Agent of any
                  such requirement or any change in any such requirement as soon
                  as Company becomes aware of it;

                                       57
<PAGE>

                           (b) Company shall pay any such Tax before the date on
                  which penalties  attach  thereto,  such payment to be made (if
                  the  liability  to pay is  imposed  on  Company)  for  its own
                  account or (if that  liability  is  imposed on  Administrative
                  Agent or such Lender,  as the case may be) on behalf of and in
                  the name of Administrative Agent or such Lender;

                           (c) the sum  payable  by  Company in respect of which
                  the  relevant  deduction,  withholding  or payment is required
                  shall be  increased  to the extent  necessary  to ensure that,
                  after the making of that  deduction,  withholding  or payment,
                  Administrative  Agent  or such  Lender,  as the  case  may be,
                  receives on the due date a net sum equal to what it would have
                  received had no such  deduction,  withholding  or payment been
                  required or made; and

                           (d) within 30 days after paying any sum from which it
                  is required by law to make any deduction or  withholding,  and
                  within 30 days  after the due date of payment of any Tax which
                  it is  required  by  clause  (b) above to pay,  Company  shall
                  deliver to Administrative  Agent evidence  satisfactory to the
                  other  affected  parties  of such  deduction,  withholding  or
                  payment and of the remittance  thereof to the relevant  taxing
                  or other authority;

         provided that no such additional amount shall be required to be paid to
         any Lender  under clause (c) above except to the extent that any change
         after the Closing Date (in the case of each Existing Lender), after the
         Restatement  Effective  Date (in the case of each New  Lender) or after
         the date of the  Assignment  Agreement  pursuant  to which such  Lender
         became  a  Lender  (in the  case  of each  other  Lender)  in any  such
         requirement  for a  deduction,  withholding  or payment as is mentioned
         therein  shall  result in an  increase  in the rate of such  deduction,
         withholding  or payment from that in effect on the Closing Date, at the
         date of this Agreement or at the date of such Assignment Agreement,  as
         the case may be, in respect of payments to such Lender.

                  (iii)    Evidence of Exemption from U.S. Withholding Tax.

                           (a) Each Lender that is  organized  under the laws of
                  any jurisdiction  other than the United States or any state or
                  other  political  subdivision  thereof  (for  purposes of this
                  subsection  2.7B(iii),  a "NON-US  LENDER")  shall  deliver to
                  Administrative  Agent for transmission to Company, on or prior
                  to the Closing Date (in the case of each Existing Lender),  on
                  or prior  to the  Restatement  Effective  Date (in the case of
                  each New Lender) or on or prior to the date of the  Assignment
                  Agreement  pursuant  to which it becomes a Lender (in the case
                  of each  other  Lender),  and at such  other  times  as may be
                  necessary in the  determination  of Company or  Administrative
                  Agent (each in the reasonable exercise of its discretion), (1)
                  two original  copies of Internal  Revenue Service Form 1001 or
                  4224 (or any  successor  forms),  properly  


                                       58
<PAGE>

                  completed and duly executed by such Lender,  together with any
                  other certificate or statement of exemption required under the
                  Internal Revenue Code or the regulations  issued thereunder to
                  establish  that such  Lender is not  subject to  deduction  or
                  withholding  of United States  federal income tax with respect
                  to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees or
                  other amounts  payable under any of the AXEL Loan Documents or
                  (2) if such Lender is not a "bank" or other  Person  described
                  in Section  881(c)(3) of the Internal  Revenue Code and cannot
                  deliver  either  Internal  Revenue  Service  Form 1001 or 4224
                  pursuant to clause (1) above, a Certificate re Non-Bank Status
                  together with two original copies of Internal  Revenue Service
                  Form W-8 (or any successor form),  properly completed and duly
                  executed by such Lender,  together with any other  certificate
                  or statement of exemption  required under the Internal Revenue
                  Code or the  regulations  issued  thereunder to establish that
                  such  Lender is not subject to  deduction  or  withholding  of
                  United States  federal income tax with respect to any payments
                  to such Lender of interest  payable under any of the AXEL Loan
                  Documents.

                           (b)  Each  Lender  required  to  deliver  any  forms,
                  certificates  or other  evidence with respect to United States
                  federal income tax withholding  matters pursuant to subsection
                  2.7B(iii)(a)  hereby  agrees,  from  time  to time  after  the
                  initial delivery by such Lender of such forms, certificates or
                  other  evidence,  whenever  a  lapse  in  time  or  change  in
                  circumstances  renders  such  forms,   certificates  or  other
                  evidence obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect,  that
                  such Lender shall promptly (1) deliver to Administrative Agent
                  for  transmission  to  Company  two  new  original  copies  of
                  Internal  Revenue  Service Form 1001 or 4224, or a Certificate
                  re Non-Bank Status and two original copies of Internal Revenue
                  Service Form W-8, as the case may be,  properly  completed and
                  duly  executed  by  such  Lender,   together  with  any  other
                  certificate  or statement  of  exemption  required in order to
                  confirm  or  establish  that  such  Lender is not  subject  to
                  deduction or  withholding  of United States federal income tax
                  with  respect to payments  to such Lender  under the AXEL Loan
                  Documents  or (2) notify  Administrative  Agent and Company of
                  its inability to deliver any such forms, certificates or other
                  evidence.

                           (c)  Company   shall  not  be  required  to  pay  any
                  additional  amount to any Non-US  Lender  under  clause (c) of
                  subsection  2.7B(ii)  if such  Lender  shall  have  failed  to
                  satisfy  the  requirements  of  clause  (a) or  (b)(1) of this
                  subsection 2.7B(iii);  provided that if such Lender shall have
                  satisfied the  requirements of subsection  2.7B(iii)(a) on the
                  Closing  Date (in the case of each  Existing  Lender),  on the
                  Restatement Effective Date (in the case of each New Lender) or
                  on the date of the Assignment  Agreement  pursuant to which it
                  became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender), nothing in
                  this  subsection  2.7B(iii)(c)  shall  relieve  Company of its
                  obligation to pay any  additional  amounts  pursuant to clause
                  (c) of  subsection  2.7B(ii) in the event 


                                       59
<PAGE>

                  that, as a result of any change in any applicable  law, treaty
                  or  governmental  rule,  regulation or order, or any change in
                  the  interpretation,  administration  or application  thereof,
                  such Lender is no longer  properly  entitled to deliver forms,
                  certificates   or  other   evidence  at  a   subsequent   date
                  establishing  the fact that  such  Lender  is not  subject  to
                  withholding as described in subsection 2.7B(iii)(a).

         C. CAPITAL  ADEQUACY  ADJUSTMENT.  If any Lender shall have  determined
that the adoption,  effectiveness,  phase-in or applicability  after the Closing
Date (in the case of an Existing  Lender) or the Restatement  Effective Date (in
the case of each New Lender) of any law,  rule or  regulation  (or any provision
thereof)   regarding  capital  adequacy,   or  any  change  therein  or  in  the
interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,  central
bank or comparable  agency  charged with the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its applicable lending office) with any
guideline,  request or  directive  regarding  capital  adequacy  (whether or not
having the force of law) of any such  governmental  authority,  central  bank or
comparable  agency,  has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return
on the capital of such Lender or any  corporation  controlling  such Lender as a
consequence of, or with reference to, such Lender's AXELS or AXEL Commitments or
other  obligations  hereunder  with  respect to the AXELs to a level  below that
which such Lender or such  controlling  corporation  could have achieved but for
such  adoption,  effectiveness,  phase-in,  applicability,  change or compliance
(taking  into  consideration  the  policies of such  Lender or such  controlling
corporation  with regard to capital  adequacy)  by an amount  considered  by the
Lender to be material,  then from time to time,  within five Business Days after
receipt by Company  from such  Lender of the  statement  referred to in the next
sentence,  Company shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as
will  compensate  such Lender or such  controlling  corporation  on an after-tax
basis for such  reduction.  Such Lender shall deliver to Company (with a copy to
Administrative  Agent) a written  statement,  setting forth in reasonable detail
the basis of the calculation of such additional  amounts,  which statement shall
be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

2.8      OBLIGATION OF LENDERS TO MITIGATE.

         Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as  practicable  after the officer
of such Lender  responsible for  administering  the AXELs of such Lender becomes
aware of the  occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition  that would
cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle such Lender
to  receive   payments  under  subsection  2.7,  it  will,  to  the  extent  not
inconsistent  with the internal policies of such Lender and any applicable legal
or regulatory restrictions, use reasonable efforts (i) to make, fund or maintain
the AXEL Commitments of such Lender or the affected AXELs of such Lender through
another lending of such Lender,  or (ii) take such other measures as such Lender
may deem reasonable,  if as a result thereof the circumstances which would cause
such Lender to be an  Affected  Lender  would  cease to exist or the  additional
amounts which would  otherwise be required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to
subsection 2.7 would 


                                       60
<PAGE>

be  materially  reduced  and if,  as  determined  by  such  Lender  in its  sole
discretion, the making, funding or maintaining of such AXEL Commitments or AXELs
through such other lending or in  accordance  with such other  measures,  as the
case  may  be,  would  not  otherwise  materially  adversely  affect  such  AXEL
Commitments or AXELs or the interests of such Lender;  provided that such Lender
will not be obligated to utilize such other lending  pursuant to this subsection
2.8 unless  Company  agrees to pay all  incremental  expenses  incurred  by such
Lender as a result of utilizing such other lending office as described in clause
(i)  above.  A  certificate  as to the  amount of any such  expenses  payable by
Company pursuant to this subsection 2.8 (setting forth in reasonable  detail the
basis for  requesting  such amount)  submitted by such Lender to Company (with a
copy to Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

2.9      REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT OF A LENDER.

         A.       Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary 
notwithstanding, in the event that:

                  (i) (a) any Lender  (an  "INCREASED-COST  LENDER")  shall give
         notice to Company  that such Lender is an Affected  Lender or that such
         Lender is entitled to receive  payments under  subsection  2.7, (b) the
         circumstances which have caused such Lender to be an Affected Lender or
         which  entitle  such Lender to receive  such  payments  shall remain in
         effect,  and (c) such Lender shall fail to withdraw  such notice within
         five Business Days after Company's request for such withdrawal; or

                  (ii)  (a)  in   connection   with  any   proposed   amendment,
         modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any of the
         provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (i) through (v)
         of the first  proviso to  subsection  9.6A,  the  consent of  Requisite
         Lenders shall have been obtained but the consent of one or more of such
         other  Lenders  (each  a  "NON-CONSENTING  LENDER")  whose  consent  is
         required  shall not have been  obtained,  and (b) the failure to obtain
         Non-Consenting  Lenders'  consents  does  not  result  solely  from the
         exercise of Non-Consenting  Lenders' rights (and the withholding of any
         required  consents by  Non-Consenting  Lenders)  pursuant to the second
         proviso to subsection 9.6A;

then,  and in each such case,  Company shall have the right,  at its option,  to
remove or replace the applicable  Increased-Cost Lender or Non-Consenting Lender
(the "TERMINATED LENDER") to the extent permitted by subsection 2.9B.

         B. Company may, by giving  written notice to  Administrative  Agent and
any Terminated Lender of its election to do so:

                  (i)  elect  to  prepay  on the  date of such  termination  any
         outstanding AXELs made by such Terminated Lender, together with accrued
         and  unpaid  interest  thereon  and any other  amounts  payable to such
         Terminated  Lender  hereunder  pursuant to 


                                       61
<PAGE>

         subsection  2.6 or subsection  2.7 or otherwise;  provided that, in the
         event such Terminated  Lender has any AXELs  outstanding at the time of
         such  termination,  the  written  consent of  Administrative  Agent and
         Requisite Lenders (which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld or
         delayed)  shall be required  in order for Company to make the  election
         set forth in this clause (i); or

                  (ii)  elect  to  cause  such   Terminated   Lender  (and  such
         Terminated Lender hereby irrevocably  agrees) to assign its outstanding
         AXELs  in  full  at par  to one or  more  Eligible  Assignees  (each  a
         "REPLACEMENT  LENDER") in accordance  with the provisions of subsection
         9.1B;  provided that (a) on the date of such assignment,  Company shall
         pay  any  amounts  payable  to  such  Terminated   Lender  pursuant  to
         subsection  2.6  or  subsection  2.7  or  otherwise  as  if it  were  a
         prepayment  and  (b)  in  the  event  such   Terminated   Lender  is  a
         Non-Consenting  Lender,  each Replacement Lender shall consent,  at the
         time of such  assignment,  to each  matter  in  respect  of which  such
         Terminated Lender was a Non-Consenting Lender;

provided  that Company may not make either of the elections set forth in clauses
(i) or (ii) above with respect to any Non-Consenting  Lender unless Company also
makes one of such elections with respect to each other  Terminated  Lender which
is a Non-Consenting Lender.

         C. Upon the  prepayment of all amounts owing to any  Terminated  Lender
pursuant to clause (i) of  subsection  2.9B,  such  Terminated  Lender  shall no
longer  constitute a "Lender" for purposes of this Agreement;  provided that any
rights  of such  Terminated  Lender  to  indemnification  under  this  Agreement
(including  under  subsections  2.6D, 2.7, 9.2 and 9.3) shall survive as to such
Terminated Lender.


                                   SECTION 3.
           CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS; CONDITIONS TO ADDITIONAL AXELS

         The  effectiveness  of this Agreement and the obligations of Lenders to
make (or  maintain,  as the case may be)  AXELs  hereunder  are  subject  to the
satisfaction of the following conditions.

3.1      CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS.

         The  effectiveness  of this Agreement is subject to prior or concurrent
satisfaction of the following conditions:

         A.   LOAN PARTY DOCUMENTS. On or before the Restatement Effective Date,
Company shall,  and shall cause each other Loan Party to, deliver to Lenders (or
to Administrative Agent for Lenders with sufficient  originally executed copies,
where  appropriate,  for each Lender and its counsel) the following with respect
to Company or such 


                                       62
<PAGE>

Loan  Party,  as the  case may be,  each,  unless  otherwise  noted,  dated  the
Restatement Effective Date:

                  (i)  Certified  copies  of  the  Certificate  or  Articles  of
         Incorporation of such Person (or, in lieu thereof, a certificate of the
         corporate  secretary of such Person  certifying  as of the  Restatement
         Effective Date that its Certificate of  Incorporation  delivered on the
         Closing Date  pursuant to  subsection  3.1 of the Existing  AXEL Credit
         Agreement  is  in  full  force  and  effect  without   modification  or
         amendment),   together  with  a  good  standing  certificate  from  the
         Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of incorporation  and each other
         state in which such Person is qualified as a foreign  corporation to do
         business and, to the extent generally available, a certificate or other
         evidence of good standing as to payment of any applicable  franchise or
         similar  taxes from the  appropriate  taxing  authority of each of such
         jurisdictions,  each  dated a  recent  date  prior  to the  Restatement
         Effective Date;

                  (ii) Copies of the Bylaws of such Person,  certified as of the
         Closing  Date by such  Person's  corporate  secretary  or an  assistant
         secretary  (or,  in  lieu  thereof,  a  certificate  of  the  corporate
         secretary of such Person  certifying  as of the  Restatement  Effective
         Date  that  its  Bylaws  delivered  on the  Closing  Date  pursuant  to
         subsection  3.1 of the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement is in full force
         and effect without modification or amendment);

                  (iii)  Resolutions  of the Board of  Directors  of such Person
         approving and  authorizing  the execution,  delivery and performance of
         the AXEL Loan Documents and the Anagram Acquisition  Agreement to which
         it is a party,  certified as of the  Restatement  Effective Date by the
         corporate  secretary or an assistant  secretary of such Person as being
         in full force and effect without modification or amendment;

                  (iv) Signature and incumbency  certificates of the officers of
         such Person executing the AXEL Loan Documents to which it is a party;

                  (v) Executed  originals of this  Agreement  and (to the extent
         not  previously  executed  and  delivered  to  Lenders)  the other Loan
         Documents to which such Person is a party; and

                  (vi) Such other documents as Arranger or Administrative  Agent
         may reasonably request.

         B. NO MATERIAL  ADVERSE  EFFECT.  Since  December 31, 1997, no Material
Adverse Effect (in the opinions of Arranger and Administrative Agent) shall have
occurred.  Since December 31, 1997, there shall not have been an adverse change,
or any  development  involving a  prospective  adverse  change,  in or affecting
Anagram or any of its Subsidiaries or the general affairs, management, financial
position,  shareholders'  equity or results  of  


                                       63
<PAGE>

operation of Anagram and its Subsidiaries  which is, in the reasonable  judgment
of Arranger, Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders, material.

         C.       CORPORATE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE, OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, ETC.

                  (i)  Corporate   Structure.   The   corporate   organizational
         structure of Company and its Subsidiaries, both before and after giving
         effect to the  Anagram  Acquisition,  shall be as set forth on Schedule
         3.1C annexed hereto.

                  (ii) Capital  Structure and Ownership.  The capital  structure
         and  ownership of Company,  both before and after giving  effect to the
         Anagram  Acquisition,  shall be as set forth on Schedule  3.1C  annexed
         hereto.

                  (iii)  Management;   Employment  Agreements.   The  management
         structure  of Company  after giving  effect to the Anagram  Acquisition
         shall be as set forth on Schedule  3.1C  annexed  hereto.  Arranger and
         Administrative  Agent shall have received duly executed  copies of, and
         shall be  satisfied  with the form and  substance  of,  the  Employment
         Agreements as set forth on Schedule 3.1C annexed hereto.

         D.       ANAGRAM ACQUISITION AGREEMENT.

                  (i) The Anagram Acquisition Agreement shall be satisfactory in
         form and substance to Arranger and Administrative Agent;

                  (ii) On or prior to the Restatement  Effective Date,  Arranger
         and  Administrative  Agent shall each have received a fully executed or
         conformed  copy of the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement  (including  all
         schedules and exhibits thereto) and any material  documents executed in
         connection therewith;

                  (iii) the Anagram Acquisition Agreement shall be in full force
         and effect and no provision  thereof shall have been modified or waived
         in any respect  determined  by Arranger or  Administrative  Agent to be
         material,   in  each  case   without  the   consent  of  Arranger   and
         Administrative Agent;

                  (iv) the parties thereto shall not have failed in any material
         respect to perform any material  obligation or covenant required by the
         Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement to be performed or complied with by any
         of them on or before the Restatement Effective Date; and

                  (v) Arranger and  Administrative  Agent shall have received an
         Officer's  Certificate  from Company to the effect set forth in clauses
         (ii)-(iv) above.

                                       64
<PAGE>

         E.       MATTERS RELATING  TO EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS OF COMPANY  AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES

                  (i)  Termination  of Existing  Anagram  Credit  Agreements and
         Related Liens;  Existing Anagram Letters of Credit.  On or prior to the
         Restatement Effective Date, Anagram and its Subsidiaries shall have (a)
         repaid in full all Indebtedness  outstanding under the Existing Anagram
         Credit  Agreements  as set forth on  Schedule  3.1E-II  (the  aggregate
         principal amount of which Indebtedness  shall not exceed  $19,000,000),
         (b)  terminated  any  commitments  to lend or make other  extensions of
         credit thereunder,  (c) delivered to Arranger and Administrative  Agent
         all documents or  instruments  necessary to release all Liens  securing
         Indebtedness  or other  obligations  of  Anagram  and its  Subsidiaries
         thereunder,  and (d) made  arrangements  satisfactory  to Arranger  and
         Administrative Agent with respect to the cancellation of any letters of
         credit  outstanding  thereunder  or the  issuance  of Letters of Credit
         under the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement to support the  obligations  of
         Company  and its  Subsidiaries  (after  giving  effect  to the  Anagram
         Acquisition) with respect thereto.

                  (ii)  Existing  Indebtedness  to  Remain  Outstanding.  On the
         Restatement  Effective Date,  Arranger and  Administrative  Agent shall
         have received an Officers'  Certificate of Company stating that,  after
         giving effect to the  transactions  described in this subsection  3.1E,
         the  Indebtedness  of Loan Parties (other than  Indebtedness  under the
         Loan Documents and the Senior  Subordinated Notes) shall consist of (a)
         approximately  $5,809,255 in aggregate  principal amount of outstanding
         Indebtedness described in Part I of Schedule 6.1 annexed hereto and (b)
         Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,123,512 in respect
         of Capital Leases  described in Part II of Schedule 6.1 annexed hereto.
         The terms and conditions of all such Indebtedness  shall be in form and
         in  substance  satisfactory  to  Arranger,   Administrative  Agent  and
         Requisite Lenders.

         F. NECESSARY  GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORIZATIONS AND CONSENTS;  EXPIRATION OF
WAITING   PERIODS,   ETC.   Company   shall  have   obtained  all   Governmental
Authorizations  and all  consents  of  other  Persons,  in each  case  that  are
necessary or advisable in connection with the Anagram  Acquisition and the other
transactions  contemplated  by the Loan  Documents  and the Anagram  Acquisition
Agreement and the continued  operation of the business  conducted by Company and
its Subsidiaries  (including  Anagram and its Subsidiaries) in substantially the
same manner as conducted prior to the  consummation of the Anagram  Acquisition,
and each of the foregoing shall be in full force and effect,  in each case other
than those the failure to obtain or maintain  which,  either  individually or in
the  aggregate,  would not  reasonably  be expected  to have a Material  Adverse
Effect.  All applicable  waiting  periods shall have expired  without any action
being taken or  threatened  by any  competent  authority  which would  restrain,
prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the Anagram Acquisition or the
financing  thereof.  No  action,  request  for  stay,  petition  for  review  or
rehearing, reconsideration, or appeal with respect to any of the foregoing shall
be pending,  and the time for any applicable  agency to take action to set aside
its consent on its own motion shall have expired.

                                       65
<PAGE>

         G.       CONSUMMATION OF ANAGRAM ACQUISITION.

                  (i) All conditions to the Anagram Acquisition set forth in the
         Anagram  Acquisition   Agreement  shall  have  been  satisfied  or  the
         fulfillment  of any such  conditions  shall have been waived;  provided
         that Arranger,  Administrative  Agent and Requisite  Lenders shall have
         consented  to any such waiver of any such  condition  that  Arranger or
         Administrative Agent reasonably deems material;

                  (ii) The Anagram  Acquisition  shall have become  effective in
         accordance  with the terms of the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement at or
         immediately prior to the time of funding of the Additional AXELs;

                  (iii) Anagram  Transaction Costs shall not exceed  $4,000,000,
         and Arranger shall have received  evidence to its  satisfaction to such
         effect; and

                  (iv) Arranger and Administrative  Agent shall have received an
         Officers'  Certificate  of  Company  to the effect set forth in clauses
         (i)-(iii) above.

         H. SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL AND MIXED PROPERTY.  Collateral Agent
shall have  received  evidence  satisfactory  to it that Company and  Subsidiary
Guarantors  shall have taken or caused to be taken (to the extent not previously
taken pursuant to the terms of the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement and the other
Loan Documents executed in connection therewith) all such actions,  executed and
delivered or caused to be executed and delivered all such agreements,  documents
and  instruments,  and made or caused to be made all such filings and recordings
(other than the filing or recording of items  described in clauses  (iii),  (iv)
and (v) below)  that may be  necessary  or, in the opinion of  Collateral  Agent
desirable in order to create in favor of  Collateral  Agent,  for the benefit of
Secured  Parties,  a valid and (upon such filing and recording)  perfected First
Priority security interest in the entire personal and mixed property Collateral.
Such actions shall include the following:

                  (i) Schedules to Collateral Documents.  Delivery to Collateral
         Agent of  accurate  and  complete  schedules  to all of the  applicable
         Collateral Documents.

                  (ii)  Stock   Certificates   and   Instruments.   Delivery  to
         Collateral  Agent  of (a)  certificates  (which  certificates  shall be
         accompanied by irrevocable undated stock powers, duly endorsed in blank
         and otherwise  satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral  Agent)
         representing  all capital stock pledged  pursuant to the Company Pledge
         Agreement and the Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreements and (b) all promissory
         notes or other  instruments  (duly endorsed,  where  appropriate,  in a
         manner satisfactory to Collateral Agent) evidencing any Collateral;

                  (iii) Lien Searches and UCC Termination  Statements.  Delivery
         to  Arranger  and  Administrative  Agent of (a) the results of a recent
         search, by a Person satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative  Agent,
         of all effective UCC financing  


                                       66
<PAGE>

         statements  and fixture  filings and all  judgment and tax lien filings
         which may have been made with respect to any personal or mixed property
         of Anagram or any of its Subsidiaries, together with copies of all such
         filings  disclosed by such search,  and (b) UCC termination  statements
         duly executed by all  applicable  Persons for filing in all  applicable
         jurisdictions  as may be  necessary  to  terminate  any  effective  UCC
         financing statements or fixture filings disclosed in such search (other
         than any such  financing  statements  or fixture  filings in respect of
         Liens  permitted  to remain  outstanding  pursuant to the terms of this
         Agreement).

                  (iv)  UCC  Financing   Statements  and  Fixture  Filings;  PTO
         Filings.  (a) Delivery to Collateral Agent of UCC financing  statements
         and,  where  appropriate,   fixture  filings,  duly  executed  by  each
         applicable  Loan Party with respect to all personal and mixed  property
         Collateral of such Loan Party,  for filing in all  jurisdictions as may
         be  necessary  or,  in the  reasonable  opinion  of  Collateral  Agent,
         desirable to perfect the security  interests created in such Collateral
         pursuant to the Collateral Documents and (b) delivery to Administrative
         Agent of all cover sheets or other documents or instruments required to
         be filed with the PTO or the United States Copyright Office in order to
         create or perfect Liens in respect of any IP Collateral;

                  (v)  Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreements.  Execution and delivery to
         Collateral  Agent of Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreements  with respect to the
         stock  of all  Foreign  Subsidiaries  organized  under  the laws of all
         jurisdictions with respect to which Collateral Agent deems an Auxiliary
         Pledge Agreement necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise protect
         the First  Priority  Liens  granted  to  Collateral  Agent on behalf of
         Secured Parties in such stock, and the taking of all such other actions
         under  the laws of such  jurisdictions  as  Collateral  Agent  may deem
         necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise protect such Liens; and

                  (vi)  Opinions of Local  Counsel.  Delivery  to  Arranger  and
         Administrative  Agent of an opinion of counsel  (which counsel shall be
         reasonably satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent) under the
         laws of each state in the United  States in which any personal or mixed
         property  Collateral  with an aggregate  value in excess of $500,000 is
         located with respect to the  creation  and  perfection  of the security
         interests  in favor of  Collateral  Agent in such  Collateral  and such
         other matters governed by the laws of such jurisdiction  regarding such
         security interests as Arranger and Administrative  Agent may reasonably
         request, in each case in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
         Arranger and Administrative Agent.

         I.       EDEN PRAIRIE HOLDINGS.  On or before the Restatement Effective
Date, Collateral Agent shall have received from Anagram:

                  (i)  Certified  copy of the  Certificate  of Formation of Eden
         Prairie  Holdings,  together with a good standing  certificate from the
         Secretary  of State of  


                                       67
<PAGE>

         Delaware  and each  other  state  in which  Eden  Prairie  Holdings  is
         qualified  to do  business,  each  dated a  recent  date  prior  to the
         Restatement Effective Date;

                  (ii) Evidence in form and substance  satisfactory  to Arranger
         and Administrative Agent that Anagram International has transferred all
         its  right,  title  and  interest  in and to the  Anagram  Headquarters
         Facility to Eden Prairie Holdings;

                  (iii) Evidence in form and substance  satisfactory to Arranger
         and  Administrative  Agent that Company has assigned all its membership
         interest in Eden Prairie Holdings to Anagram International;

                  (iv)  Copy of a lease  relating  to the  Anagram  Headquarters
         Facility  entered into by and between Eden Prairie Holdings and Anagram
         International,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to  Arranger  and
         Administrative Agent; and

                  (v) Evidence satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative Agent
         that Anagram  International  has appointed an  independent  manager for
         Eden  Prairie  Holdings in  accordance  with  paragraph  Seventh of the
         Certificate  of Formation of Eden Prairie  Holdings;  provided that, to
         the extent such  independent  manager is not so  appointed on or before
         the   Restatement   Effective   Date,   Company   shall  cause  Anagram
         International  to  appoint  an  independent  manager  for Eden  Prairie
         Holdings in accordance  with  paragraph  Seventh of the  Certificate of
         Formation of Eden  Prairie  Holdings as promptly as  practicable  after
         being  requested to do so by Collateral  Agent in accordance  with said
         paragraph Seventh.

         J. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS.  Arranger and Administrative Agent shall have
received  such  reports  and other  information,  in form,  scope and  substance
satisfactory   to  Arranger   and   Administrative   Agent,   as  Arranger   and
Administrative  Agent may reasonably  require  regarding  environmental  matters
relating to Anagram and its Subsidiaries and any of their respective Facilities.

         K.  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS;  PRO FORMA BALANCE  SHEET.  On or before the
Restatement Effective Date, Lenders shall have received from Company (i) audited
financial statements of Anagram International, Inc. and its Subsidiaries for its
fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997,  consisting of balance sheets and
the consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for
such fiscal years, (ii) unaudited combined and combining financial statements of
Anagram and its  Subsidiaries  as at June 30, 1998,  consisting  of an unaudited
combined and combining  balance sheet and the combined and combining  statements
of income for the six-month period ending on such date, all in reasonable detail
and certified by the chief financial officer of Anagram that they fairly present
the  financial  condition  of  Anagram  and  its  Subsidiaries  as at the  dates
indicated and the results of their operations for the periods indicated, subject
to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments, (iii) unaudited
financial  statements  of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  as at June 30,  1998,
consisting of a balance sheet and the related 


                                       68
<PAGE>

consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
six-month period ending on such date, all in reasonable  detail and certified by
the chief  financial  officer of Company that they fairly  present the financial
condition  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as at the dates  indicated  and the
results of their  operations  and their cash  flows for the  periods  indicated,
subject to changes  resulting from audit and normal year-end  adjustments,  (iv)
pro forma consolidated balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries as of July
31, 1998,  prepared in accordance  with GAAP and reflecting the  consummation of
the Anagram  Acquisition,  the  related  financings  and the other  transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Anagram Acquisition Agreement,  which
pro forma financial  statements  shall be in form and substance  satisfactory to
Lenders, and (v) pro forma financial statements (including  consolidated balance
sheets,  statements  of  operations,  stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows) of
Company and its  Subsidiaries  (after giving effect to the Anagram  Acquisition)
for the 10-year period  commencing on the Restatement  Effective Date, which pro
forma  financial  statements  shall be in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to
Lenders.

         L.  EVIDENCE  OF  INSURANCE.  Collateral  Agent  shall have  received a
certificate from Company's insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it
that all insurance  required to be maintained  pursuant to subsection  5.4 is in
full force and effect and that Collateral Agent on behalf of Secured Parties has
been named as  additional  insured  and/or loss payee  thereunder  to the extent
required under subsection 5.4.

         M.  OPINIONS OF COUNSEL TO LOAN PARTIES.  Lenders and their  respective
counsel  shall  have  received  (i)  originally  executed  copies of one or more
favorable  written  opinions  of (a)  Wachtell,  Lipton,  Rosen & Katz,  special
counsel for Loan  Parties,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Administrative  Agent and Arranger and its counsel,  dated as of the Restatement
Effective  Date and setting  forth  substantially  the  matters in the  opinions
designated  in  Exhibit  V-A  annexed  hereto  and as to such  other  matters as
Administrative  Agent or Arranger and acting on behalf of Lenders may reasonably
request  and (b) Kurzman &  Eisenberg,  counsel  for Loan  Parties,  in form and
substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Arranger and its
counsel,   dated  as  of  the  Restatement  Effective  Date  and  setting  forth
substantially  the  matters in the  opinions  designated  in Exhibit V-B annexed
hereto and as to such other  matters as  Administrative  Agent or  Arranger  and
acting  on  behalf  of  Lenders  may  reasonably  request,   and  (ii)  evidence
satisfactory  to Arranger and  Administrative  Agent that Company has  requested
such counsel to deliver such opinions to Lenders.

         N. OPINIONS OF ARRANGER AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT'S  COUNSEL.  Lenders
shall have received  originally executed copies of one or more favorable written
opinions of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, counsel to Arranger and Administrative Agent,
dated as of the Restatement Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
VI annexed  hereto and as to such other  matters as Arranger and  Administrative
Agent may reasonably request.

                                       69
<PAGE>

         O. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL RELATING TO THE ANAGRAM  ACQUISITION  AGREEMENT.
On or prior to the Effective Date, Arranger and Administrative  Agent shall each
have received executed copies of all opinions by counsel delivered in connection
with the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement to Company or any of its  Subsidiaries.
All such  opinions  shall be, to the extent  agreed to by the person  delivering
such  opinion,  addressed  to  Arranger,  Administrative  Agent and  Lenders  or
accompanied by written authorization from each person delivering such an opinion
stating that Arranger, Administrative Agent and Lenders may rely on such opinion
as though it were addressed to them.

         P. FEES. Company shall have paid to Arranger and Administrative  Agent,
for distribution (as appropriate) to Arranger, Administrative Agent and Lenders,
the fees payable on the  Restatement  Effective  Date  referred to in subsection
2.3.

         Q. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;  PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS.  Company
shall  have  delivered  to  Arranger  and  Administrative   Agent  an  Officers'
Certificate,  in form and substance  satisfactory to Arranger and Administrative
Agent, to the effect that the representations and warranties in Section 4 hereof
are  true,  correct  and  complete  in all  material  respects  on and as of the
Restatement  Effective  Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that
date (or, to the extent such representations and warranties  specifically relate
to an earlier date, that such  representations and warranties were true, correct
and complete in all material  respects on and as of such earlier  date) and that
Company  shall have  performed  in all  material  respects  all  agreements  and
satisfied all  conditions  which this  Agreement  provides shall be performed or
satisfied by it on or before the Restatement  Effective Date except as otherwise
disclosed  to and  agreed to in writing by  Arranger,  Administrative  Agent and
Requisite Lenders.

         R. COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS. All corporate and other proceedings taken
or to be taken in connection with the transactions  contemplated  hereby and all
documents  incidental  thereto not previously found acceptable by Administrative
Agent,  acting  on behalf of  Lenders,  or  Arranger  and its  counsel  shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and Arranger and such
counsel, and Administrative Agent, Arranger and such counsel shall have received
all  such  counterpart  originals  or  certified  copies  of such  documents  as
Administrative Agent or Arranger may reasonably request.

         S.  COLLATERAL  ACCESS  AGREEMENTS.  On or  prior  to  the  Restatement
Effective Date, Anagram and each applicable Subsidiary Guarantor shall have used
its  reasonable  good  faith  efforts to  obtain,  in the case of any  Leasehold
Property or any real property in which Anagram or any of its  Subsidiaries  owns
or holds a fee interest and which is subject to a mortgage held by a third-party
mortgagee  holding  inventory or equipment  with an aggregate  fair market value
exceeding $500,000,  a Collateral Access Agreement with respect thereto, in each
case  in  form  and   substance   reasonably   satisfactory   to  Arranger   and
Administrative  Agent;  provided that, to the extent any such Collateral  Access
Agreement is not so obtained on or before the  Restatement  Effective Date, upon
the reasonable request of Collateral Agent,  Company hereby covenants and agrees
to cause the applicable  Subsidiary  Guarantor 


                                       70
<PAGE>

to continue to use its reasonable  good faith efforts to obtain such  Collateral
Access  Agreement as promptly as  practicable  after the  Restatement  Effective
Date.

         T. REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT.  Arranger and Administrative Agent shall
each have received a fully  executed or conformed  copy of the Revolving  Credit
Agreement,  as amended and restated in connection with the Anagram  Acquisition,
satisfactory  in form and substance to Arranger and  Administrative  Agent.  The
Revolving  Credit Agreement shall be in full force and effect and the conditions
to advances of the  Revolving  Loans  thereunder  shall have been  satisfied  or
waived by the Revolving Credit Lenders.

         U. NO EVENT OF DEFAULT.  Company shall have delivered to Administrative
Agent  an  Officer's   Certificate,   in  form  and  substance  satisfactory  to
Administrative  Agent, to the effect that,  immediately prior to the Restatement
Effective Date, no event has occurred and is continuing that would constitute an
Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default  under the Existing  AXEL Credit
Agreement or the Revolving Credit Agreement.


3.2      ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO AXELS.

         The obligations of Lenders to make Additional  AXELs on the Restatement
Effective Date are subject to the following further conditions precedent:

         A.  Administrative  Agent shall have  received  before the  Restatement
Effective  Date,  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  subsection  2.1B, an
originally  executed  Notice  of  Borrowing,  in each  case  signed by the chief
executive  officer,  the chief  financial  officer or the treasurer or corporate
controller of Company or by any executive  officer of Company  designated by any
of the  above-described  officers on behalf of Company in a writing delivered to
Administrative Agent.

         B.       As of the Restatement Effective Date:

                  (i) The representations and warranties contained herein and in
         the other AXEL Loan  Documents  shall be true,  correct and complete in
         all material  respects on and as of the  Restatement  Effective Date to
         the same  extent as though  made on and as of that date,  except to the
         extent such  representations  and warranties  specifically relate to an
         earlier date, in which case such  representations  and warranties shall
         have been true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as
         of such earlier date;

                  (ii) No event shall have  occurred and be  continuing or would
         result from the  consummation  of the  borrowing  contemplated  by such
         Notice of  Borrowing  that  would  constitute  an Event of Default or a
         Potential Event of Default;

                                       71
<PAGE>

                  (iii) Each Loan Party  shall have  performed  in all  material
         respects  all  agreements  and  satisfied  all  conditions  which  this
         Agreement  provides  shall be performed or satisfied by it on or before
         the Restatement Effective Date;

                  (iv) No order, judgment or decree of any court,  arbitrator or
         governmental  authority  shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Lender
         from making the  Additional  AXELs to be made by it on the  Restatement
         Effective Date;

                  (v)  The  making  of the  Additional  AXELs  requested  on the
         Restatement   Effective  Date  shall  not  violate  any  law  including
         Regulation G,  Regulation T,  Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board
         of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

                  (vi)  There  shall  not be  pending  or, to the  knowledge  of
         Company,   threatened,  any  action,  suit,  proceeding,   governmental
         investigation or arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries that
         has not been  disclosed by Company in writing prior to the execution of
         this  Agreement),  and there shall have occurred no development  not so
         disclosed  in  any  such   action,   suit,   proceeding,   governmental
         investigation  or arbitration so disclosed,  that, in either event,  in
         the opinion of Administrative  Agent or of Requisite Lenders,  would be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;  and no injunction or other
         restraining  order  shall  have been  issued and no hearing to cause an
         injunction or other  restraining order to be issued shall be pending or
         noticed  with  respect to any  action,  suit or  proceeding  seeking to
         enjoin or  otherwise  prevent  the  consummation  of, or to recover any
         damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions  contemplated
         by this Agreement or the making of AXELs hereunder.


                                   SECTION 4.
                    COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make (or
maintain, as the case may be) the AXELs, Company represents and warrants to each
Lender,  on the date of this Agreement and on the  Restatement  Effective  Date,
that the following statements are true, correct and complete:

4.1      ORGANIZATION, POWERS, QUALIFICATION, GOOD STANDING, BUSINESS AND 
         SUBSIDIARIES.

         A.  ORGANIZATION  AND  POWERS.  Each Loan Party is a  corporation  duly
organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of its
jurisdiction of  incorporation as specified in Schedule 4.1 annexed hereto as it
may be  supplemented  pursuant to subsection  5.1(xvi).  Each Loan Party has all
requisite  corporate power and authority to own and operate its  properties,  to
carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be 


                                       72
<PAGE>

conducted, to enter into the AXEL Loan Documents, the Related Agreements and the
Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement  to  which it is a party  and to  carry  out the
transactions contemplated thereby.

         B. QUALIFICATION AND GOOD STANDING.  Each Loan Party is qualified to do
business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located
and  wherever  necessary to carry out its  business  and  operations,  except in
jurisdictions  where the failure to be so qualified or in good  standing has not
had and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         C. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Company and its  Subsidiaries are engaged only
in (i)  the  businesses  engaged  in by  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  on the
Restatement Effective Date and similar or related businesses and (ii) such other
lines of business as may be consented to be Requisite Lenders.

         D.  SUBSIDIARIES.  All  of  the  Subsidiaries  of  Company  as  of  the
Restatement  Effective Date (after giving effect to the Anagram Acquisition) are
identified  in  Schedule  4.1  annexed  hereto,  as  said  Schedule  4.1  may be
supplemented  from  time  to  time  pursuant  to the  provisions  of  subsection
5.1(xvi). The capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries of Company identified in
Schedule 4.1 annexed hereto (as so  supplemented)  is duly  authorized,  validly
issued,  fully paid and nonassessable and none of such capital stock constitutes
Margin Stock.  Each of the  Subsidiaries  of Company  identified in Schedule 4.1
annexed hereto (as so  supplemented)  is a corporation  duly organized,  validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its respective  jurisdiction  of
incorporation set forth therein, has all requisite corporate power and authority
to own and operate its  properties and to carry on its business as now conducted
and as proposed to be  conducted,  and is  qualified  to do business and in good
standing  in every  jurisdiction  where its  assets  are  located  and  wherever
necessary to carry out its business  and  operations,  in each case except where
failure to be so qualified or in good standing or a lack of such corporate power
and  authority  has not had and  could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
Material  Adverse  Effect.  Schedule  4.1  annexed  hereto (as so  supplemented)
correctly sets forth, as of the Closing Date, the ownership  interest of Company
and each of its Subsidiaries in each of the  Subsidiaries of Company  identified
therein.

4.2      AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING, ETC.

         A. AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING. The execution,  delivery and performance
of the Loan  Documents,  the  Related  Agreements  and the  Anagram  Acquisition
Agreement  have been duly  authorized by all necessary  corporate  action on the
part of each Loan Party that is a party thereto.

         B. NO CONFLICT. The execution, delivery and performance by Loan Parties
of the AXEL Loan Documents,  the Related Agreements and the Anagram  Acquisition
Agreement  to which they are parties and the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated by the 


                                       73
<PAGE>

AXEL  Loan  Documents,  the  Related  Agreements  and  the  Anagram  Acquisition
Agreement  do not and  will  not (i)  violate  any  provision  of any law or any
governmental   rule  or   regulation   applicable  to  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Company
or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any  order,  judgment  or decree of any court or
other agency of government  binding on Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  (ii)
conflict with,  result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default  under any  Contractual  Obligation of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, except for any breach or default which could not reasonably be
expected  to have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  (iii)  result in or require  the
creation  or  imposition  of any Lien  upon any of the  properties  or assets of
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other than any Liens  created under any of
the AXEL Loan Documents in favor of Administrative  Agent on behalf of Lenders),
or (iv) require any approval of  stockholders  or any approval or consent of any
Person under any Contractual  Obligation of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,
except for such  approvals  or consents  which will be obtained on or before the
Restatement Effective Date and disclosed in writing to Lenders and such consents
the  failure of which to receive  could not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         C. GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. Except as specified in Schedule 3.9(b) to the
Anagram Acquisition Agreement,  the execution,  delivery and performance by Loan
Parties of the AXEL Loan  Documents,  the  Related  Agreements  and the  Anagram
Acquisition  Agreement  to which they are  parties and the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated by the AXEL Loan Documents,  such Related  Agreements
and  the  Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement  do  not  and  will  not  require  any
registration  with,  consent or approval  of, or notice to, or other  action to,
with or by, any federal,  state or other  governmental  authority or  regulatory
body the failure of which to receive could not reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect. Any such required consents, approvals, notices or other
actions shall have been received,  given or performed, as the case may be, on or
prior to the Restatement Effective Date.

         D. BINDING  OBLIGATION.  Each of the AXEL Loan  Documents,  the Related
Agreements  and the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement  has been duly  executed and
delivered  by each Loan Party that is a party  thereto and is the legally  valid
and binding obligation of such Loan Party,  enforceable  against such Loan Party
in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting
creditors'   rights   generally   or  by   equitable   principles   relating  to
enforceability.

         E.       VALID ISSUANCE OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK AND SENIOR SUBORDINATED
NOTES.

                  (i) Company  Common Stock.  The Company Common Stock issued in
         the Merger on the Closing Date has been duly and validly  issued and is
         fully paid and  nonassessable.  The New Company  Shares to be issued in
         partial  consideration  for the  Anagram  Acquisition  on or before the
         Restatement Effective Date, when issued 


                                       74
<PAGE>

         and  delivered,  will  be duly  and  validly  issued,  fully  paid  and
         nonassessable.   No  stockholder  of  Company  has  or  will  have  any
         preemptive  rights to subscribe for any additional equity Securities of
         Company.  The  issuance  and sale of such  Company  Common Stock or New
         Company  Shares,  upon such issuance and sale,  either (a) have been or
         will have been  registered or qualified  under  applicable  federal and
         state securities laws or (b) have been or will be exempt therefrom.

                  (ii) Senior  Subordinated Notes. The Senior Subordinated Notes
         are the legally valid and binding  obligations of Company,  enforceable
         against Company in accordance with their  respective  terms,  except as
         may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
         similar laws relating to or limiting  creditors' rights generally or by
         equitable  principles  relating to  enforceability.  The  subordination
         provisions of the Senior Subordinated Notes will be enforceable against
         the holders  thereof and the AXELs and all other  monetary  Obligations
         hereunder  are and will be  within  the  definition  of  "Senior  Debt"
         included in such provisions.  The Senior  Subordinated Notes either (a)
         have been  registered or qualified under  applicable  federal and state
         securities laws or (b) are exempt therefrom.

4.3      FINANCIAL CONDITION.

         Company has heretofore  delivered to Lenders, at Lenders' request,  the
following  financial  statements and information:  (i) the audited  consolidated
balance sheets of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as at December 31, 1997 and the
related consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows
of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  for the  Fiscal  Year then  ended,  (ii) the
unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries as at June
30,  1998  and  the  related  unaudited   consolidated   statements  of  income,
stockholders'  equity  and cash flows of Company  and its  Subsidiaries  for the
six-months then ended, (iii) the audited  consolidated balance sheets of Anagram
and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1997 and the consolidated  statements of
income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows of Anagram and its Subsidiaries for
its fiscal year then ended and (iv) the unaudited combined and combining balance
sheets of Anagram and its  Subsidiaries  as at June 30,  1998 and the  unaudited
combined and combining  statements of income of Anagram and its Subsidiaries for
the six-months then ended.  All such statements were prepared in accordance with
GAAP  applied on a  consistent  basis  throughout  the periods  covered  thereby
(except as otherwise indicated therein or in the Anagram Acquisition Agreements)
and fairly  present,  in all material  respects,  the financial  position of the
entities described in such financial  statements as of such respective dates and
the results of  operations  of the  entities  described  therein for each of the
periods  then  ended,  subject,  in the  case of any  such  unaudited  financial
statements,  to changes  resulting from audit and normal  year-end  adjustments.
Company does not (and did not immediately  following the funding of the Existing
AXELs) and Anagram does not (and will not  immediately  following the funding of
the Additional AXELs) have any Guarantee,  contingent liability or liability for
taxes,  long-term lease or unusual  forward or long-term  


                                       75
<PAGE>

commitment  that is not reflected in the foregoing  financial  statements or the
notes  thereto  and  which in any  such  case is  material  in  relation  to the
business, operations,  properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects  of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (after  giving  effect to the
Anagram Acquisition).

4.4      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.

         Since  December  31,  1997,  no event or change has  occurred  that has
caused or evidences,  either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect.

4.5      TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS; REAL PROPERTY.

         A. TITLE TO PROPERTIES;  LIENS. After giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Anagram Acquisition Agreement to occur on
the Restatement  Effective  Date,  except for Permitted  Encumbrances  and Liens
permitted under  subsection  6.2,  Company and its  Subsidiaries  have (i) good,
sufficient  and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real  property),
(ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or
personal  property),  or (iii) good title to (in the case of all other  personal
property),  all of their  respective  properties  and  assets  reflected  in the
financial  statements  referred  to in  subsection  4.3  or in the  most  recent
financial  statements  delivered pursuant to subsection 5.1 of the Existing AXEL
Credit  Agreement or this Agreement,  in each case except for assets disposed of
since the date of such financial  statements in the ordinary  course of business
or as otherwise  permitted under  subsection 6.5. All such properties and assets
are free and clear of Liens other than  Permitted  Encumbrances  and other Liens
permitted under this Agreement.

         B. REAL PROPERTY. After giving effect to the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement and the Anagram Acquisition  Agreement,  as of the Restatement
Effective  Date,  Schedule  4.5 annexed  hereto  contains a true,  accurate  and
complete  list of (i) all Fee  Properties  and (ii)  all  leases,  subleases  or
assignments of leases (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements,
renewals or extensions of any thereof) affecting each Real Property Asset of any
Loan  Party,  regardless  of whether  such Loan Party is the  landlord or tenant
(whether  directly or as an assignee or successor in interest) under such lease,
sublease  or  assignment.  As of  the  Restatement  Effective  Date,  except  as
specified in Schedule 4.5 annexed hereto,  each agreement  listed in clause (ii)
of the  immediately  preceding  sentence is in full force and effect and Company
does not have  knowledge  of any  material  default  that  has  occurred  and is
continuing thereunder, and each such agreement constitutes the legally valid and
binding obligation of each applicable Loan Party,  enforceable against such Loan
Party in  accordance  with its terms,  except as may be  limited by  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting
creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles.

                                       76
<PAGE>

4.6      LITIGATION; ADVERSE FACTS.

         Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  4.6  annexed  hereto,  there are no
actions,  suits,  proceedings,   arbitrations  or  governmental   investigations
(whether or not purportedly on behalf of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries) at
law or in  equity,  or  before  or by any  federal,  state,  municipal  or other
governmental department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims) that are pending or, to
the knowledge of Company,  threatened against or affecting Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  or any  property of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  and that,
individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material  Adverse Effect.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is in
violation  of  any  applicable   laws  (including   Environmental   Laws)  that,
individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) is subject to or in default with respect to any
final judgments, writs, injunctions,  decrees, rules or regulations of any court
or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental  department,  commission,
board,   bureau,   agency  or  instrumentality,   domestic  or  foreign,   that,
individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

4.7      PAYMENT OF TAXES.

         Except to the extent  permitted  by  subsection  5.3,  all material tax
returns and reports of Company and its Subsidiaries  required to be filed by any
of them have been  timely  filed,  and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be
due and payable and all assessments,  fees and other  governmental  charges upon
Company  and its  Subsidiaries  and upon their  respective  properties,  assets,
income,  businesses and franchises which are due and payable have been paid when
due and payable.  Company knows of no proposed  material tax assessment  against
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  which is not being  actively  contested  by
Company  or  such  Subsidiary  in good  faith  and by  appropriate  proceedings;
provided that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

4.8      PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS; MATERIALLY ADVERSE AGREEMENTS; MATERIAL 
         CONTRACTS.

         A.  Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in default in the
performance,  observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations,  covenants or
conditions  contained in any of its  Contractual  Obligations,  and no condition
exists  that,  with the  giving of  notice  or the lapse of time or both,  would
constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of
such default or defaults, if any, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         B.  Neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party to or is
otherwise  subject to any  agreements  or  instruments  or any  charter or other
internal restrictions which, individually or in the aggregate,  could reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       77
<PAGE>

         C.  Schedule 4.8 contains a true,  correct and complete list of all the
Material  Contracts  in  effect on the  Restatement  Effective  Date.  Except as
described on Schedule  4.8, all such  Material  Contracts  are in full force and
effect and no defaults  currently exist  thereunder other than any such defaults
or failure to be in force and effect which could not  reasonably  be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9      GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION.

         Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other
federal or state  statute  or  regulation  which may limit its  ability to incur
Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations
unenforceable.

4.10     SECURITIES ACTIVITIES.

         A. Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged  principally,
or as one of its important  activities,  in the business of extending credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.

         B.  Following  application  of the  proceeds  of  each  AXEL  and  each
Revolving Loan under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  not more than 25% of the
value of the assets  (either of Company only or of Company and its  Subsidiaries
on a  consolidated  basis) subject to the provisions of subsection 6.2 or 6.5 or
subject to any  restriction  contained in any agreement or  instrument,  between
Company and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender,  relating to Indebtedness
and within the scope of subsection 7.2, will be Margin Stock.

4.11     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

         A. Company, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective ERISA
Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable  provisions and requirements of
ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations  thereunder with respect
to each Employee  Benefit Plan, and have performed all their  obligations  under
each  Employee  Benefit Plan.  Each  Employee  Benefit Plan which is intended to
qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code is so qualified.

         B. No ERISA Events have  occurred or are  reasonably  expected to occur
which could  reasonably be expected to result in  liabilities  to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

         C. As of the most  recent  valuation  date for any  Pension  Plan,  the
excess of (1) the actuarial present value (determined on the basis of reasonable
assumptions  employed  by the  independent  actuary  for each  Pension  Plan for
purposes of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA) of
benefit  liabilities (as defined in Section  


                                       78
<PAGE>

4001(a)(16)  of  ERISA),  over (2) the fair  market  value of the assets of such
Pension Plan,  individually or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding
for purposes of such  computation any Pension Plans with respect to which assets
exceed benefit liabilities), does not exceed $5,000,000.

         D. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan for
which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of Company, its
Subsidiaries and their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates for a complete  withdrawal
from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when
aggregated  with such  potential  liability for a complete  withdrawal  from all
Multiemployer Plans, based on information  available pursuant to Section 4221(e)
of ERISA, does not exceed $5,000,000.

4.12     CERTAIN FEES.

         Except as described in the Confidential  Information Memorandum and the
advisory  fee  payable by  Company  to Piper  Jaffray in an amount not to exceed
$700,000,  no broker's or finder's fee or commission has been or will be payable
by  Company  with  respect  to  this  Agreement  or  any  of  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby, and Company hereby indemnifies Lenders against, and agrees
that it will hold Lenders harmless from, any claim,  demand or liability for any
such  broker's  or finder's  fees  alleged to have been  incurred in  connection
herewith or therewith and any expenses (including  reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of counsel)  arising in connection with any such claim,  demand or
liability.

4.13     ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

         Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13 annexed hereto:

                  (i)  neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  nor any of
         their   respective   Facilities  or  operations   are  subject  to  any
         outstanding written order,  consent decree or settlement agreement with
         any Person relating to (a) any Environmental Law, (b) any Environmental
         Claim, or (c) any Hazardous Materials Activity;

                  (ii) neither Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries has received
         any  letter  or  request  for  information  under  Section  104  of the
         Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation,  and Liability Act
         (42 U.S.C. [Section] 9604) or any comparable state law;

                  (iii)  there are and,  to  Company's  knowledge,  have been no
         conditions,  occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which could
         reasonably  be  expected  to form the basis of an  Environmental  Claim
         against Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (iv)  neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  nor,  to
         Company's  knowledge,   any  predecessor  of  Company  or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries  has  filed  any  


                                       79
<PAGE>

         notice under any Environmental Law indicating past or present treatment
         of Hazardous Materials at any Facility, and none of Company's or any of
         its Subsidiaries'  operations involves the generation,  transportation,
         treatment,  storage or disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40
         C.F.R. Parts 260-270 or any state equivalent;

                  (v)  compliance  with all  current or  reasonably  foreseeable
         future  requirements  pursuant to or under Environmental Laws will not,
         individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a reasonable  possibility  of
         giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

         Notwithstanding  anything in this subsection  4.13 to the contrary,  no
event or condition  has occurred or is occurring  with respect to Company or any
of its Subsidiaries  relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous
Materials,  or any Hazardous Materials Activity,  including any matter disclosed
on Schedule 4.13 annexed hereto,  which individually or in the aggregate has had
or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.14     EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

         There  is no  strike  or  work  stoppage  in  existence  or  threatened
involving  Company or any of its Subsidiaries  that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.15     SOLVENCY.

         Each Loan Party is and, upon the incurrence of any  Obligations by such
Loan Party on any date on which this representation is made, will be, Solvent.

4.16     MATTERS RELATING TO COLLATERAL.

         A.  CREATION,  PERFECTION  AND  PRIORITY OF LIENS.  The  execution  and
delivery of the  Collateral  Documents by Loan  Parties,  together  with (i) the
actions taken on or prior to the date hereof  pursuant to subsections  3.1I, 5.8
and 5.9 of the Existing AXEL Credit Agreement and subsections  3.1H, 5.8 and 5.9
of this  Agreement  and (ii) the  delivery  to  Collateral  Agent of any Pledged
Collateral  not  delivered  to  Collateral  Agent at the time of  execution  and
delivery of the applicable  Collateral Document (all of which Pledged Collateral
has been so delivered) are effective to create in favor of Collateral  Agent for
the  benefit  of  Secured  Parties,  as  security  for  the  respective  Secured
Obligations (as defined in the applicable  Collateral Document in respect of any
Collateral), a valid and perfected First Priority Lien on all of the Collateral,
and all filings and other actions necessary or desirable to perfect and maintain
the perfection  and First  Priority  status of such Liens have been duly made or
taken and  remain in full  force and  effect,  other  than the filing of any UCC
financing  statements  delivered  to  Collateral  Agent for filing  (but not yet
filed) and the 


                                       80
<PAGE>

periodic  filing of UCC  continuation  statements  in respect  of UCC  financing
statements filed by or on behalf of Collateral Agent.

         B. GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORIZATIONS.  No  authorization,  approval or other
action  by,  and no notice to or filing  with,  any  governmental  authority  or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Loan Party
of the Liens  purported to be created in favor of Collateral  Agent  pursuant to
any of the Collateral  Documents or (ii) the exercise by Collateral Agent of any
rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically granted or
created  pursuant to any of the Collateral  Documents or created or provided for
by applicable law), except for filings or recordings  contemplated by subsection
4.16A and except as may be required,  in connection  with the disposition of any
Pledged  Collateral,  by laws  generally  affecting  the  offering  and  sale of
securities.

         C. ABSENCE OF THIRD-PARTY  FILINGS.  Except such as may have been filed
in favor of Collateral  Agent as contemplated by subsection  4.16A, no effective
UCC financing  statement,  fixture filing or other instrument  similar in effect
covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording
office.

         D. MARGIN REGULATIONS. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
the Collateral  Documents does not violate  Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

         E.  INFORMATION  REGARDING  COLLATERAL.  All  information  supplied  to
Collateral  Agent by or on behalf of any Loan Party  with  respect to any of the
Collateral  (in  each  case  taken as a whole  with  respect  to any  particular
Collateral) is accurate and complete in all material respects.

4.17     RELATED AGREEMENTS.

         A.       DELIVERY  OF RELATED  AGREEMENTS.  Company  has  delivered  to
Lenders  complete and correct  copies of each Related  Agreement and the Anagram
Acquisition Agreement and of all exhibits and schedules thereto.

         B.       WARRANTIES OF COMPANY.

                  (i) Except to the extent  otherwise set forth herein or in the
         schedules hereto,  each of the  representations and warranties given by
         Company in the  Recapitalization  Agreement  is true and correct in all
         material  respects as of the Closing Date (or as of any earlier date to
         which such representation and warranty  specifically  relates) and will
         be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (or
         as of such earlier  date,  as the case may be), in each case subject to
         the qualifications  set forth in the schedules to the  Recapitalization
         Agreement.

                                       81
<PAGE>

                  (ii) Except to the extent otherwise set forth herein or in the
         schedules hereto,  each of the  representations and warranties given by
         Company in the Anagram Acquisition Agreement is true and correct in all
         material  respects as of the date hereof (or as of any earlier  date to
         which such representation and warranty  specifically  relates) and will
         be true and  correct in all  material  respects  as of the  Restatement
         Effective  Date (or as of such  earlier  date,  as the case may be), in
         each case subject to the  qualifications  set forth in the schedules to
         the Anagram Acquisition Agreement.

         C. SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding anything in the Recapitalization Agreement
or the Anagram  Acquisition  Agreement to the contrary,  (i) the representations
and  warranties of Company set forth in subsection  4.17B(i)  shall,  solely for
purposes of this Agreement,  survive the Closing Date for the benefit of Lenders
and (ii) the  representations  and warranties of Company set forth in subsection
4.17B(ii) shall, solely for purposes of this Agreement,  survive the Restatement
Effective Date for the benefit of Lenders.

4.18     DISCLOSURE.

         No  representation  or warranty  of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
contained in the Confidential  Information Memorandum or in any Loan Document or
in any other document,  certificate or written statement furnished to Lenders by
or on behalf of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  for use in connection  with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains any untrue statement of
a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to Company, in the case
of any document not furnished by it)  necessary in order to make the  statements
contained  herein or therein not  misleading  in light of the  circumstances  in
which the same were made. Any projections  and pro forma  financial  information
contained in such materials are based upon good faith  estimates and assumptions
believed by Company to be reasonable  at the time made,  it being  recognized by
Lenders that such  projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts
and that  actual  results  during  the  period or  periods  covered  by any such
projections may differ from the projected results.  There are no facts known (or
which  should upon the  reasonable  exercise of  diligence  be known) to Company
(other than matters of a general economic  nature) that,  individually or in the
aggregate,  could  reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect
and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates
and statements  furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby.

4.19  REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT.

         A.  DELIVERY OF REVOLVING  CREDIT  AGREEMENT.  Company has delivered to
Lenders  complete  and correct  copies of the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  as
amended and restated as of the  Restatement  Effective Date, and of all exhibits
and schedules thereto.

         B.  WARRANTIES  OF COMPANY.  Except to the extent  otherwise  set forth
herein or in the schedule  hereto,  each of the  representations  and warranties
given by Company in the 


                                       82
<PAGE>

Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  as amended  and  restated  as of the  Restatement
Effective  Date,  is true and  correct in all  material  respects as of the date
hereof (or as of any  earlier  date to which such  representation  and  warranty
specifically  relates) and will be true and correct in all material  respects as
of the  Restatement  Effective Date (or as of such earlier date, as the case may
be), in each case subject to the  qualifications  set forth in the  schedules to
the Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended and restated.

                                   SECTION 5.
                         COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Company  covenants  and agrees that,  so long as any of the  Additional
AXEL  Commitments  hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of
all of the AXELs and other Obligations  unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise
give prior written consent,  Company shall perform,  and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 5.

5.1      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER REPORTS.

         Company will maintain,  and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain,
a system of accounting  established  and  administered  in accordance with sound
business practices to permit  preparation of financial  statements in conformity
with GAAP. Company will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:

                  (i) Monthly Financials:  as soon as available and in any event
         within 30 days after the end of each month ending after the Restatement
         Effective  Date,  commencing with the calendar month of August 1998 (or
         within  45 days  after  the  end of  each  month  which  ends a  Fiscal
         Quarter),   the   consolidated   balance  sheets  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries  as at the end of such month and the related  consolidated
         statements  of income,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows of Company
         and its  Subsidiaries  for  such  month  and for the  period  from  the
         beginning  of the then  current  Fiscal  Year to the end of such month,
         setting  forth  in each  case in  comparative  form  the  corresponding
         figures for the  corresponding  periods of the previous Fiscal Year and
         the  corresponding  figures  from the  Financial  Plan for the  current
         Fiscal  Year,  to  the  extent  prepared  on a  monthly  basis,  all in
         reasonable  detail  and  certified  by the chief  financial  officer of
         Company  that  they  fairly  present,  in all  material  respects,  the
         financial  condition  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as at the dates
         indicated and the results of their  operations and their cash flows for
         the  periods  indicated,  subject to changes  resulting  from audit and
         normal year-end adjustments, for such month and for the period from the
         beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such month;

                  (ii)  Quarterly  Financials:  as soon as available  and in any
         event  within  45 days  after  the end of each of  first  three  Fiscal
         Quarters of each year, (a) the  consolidated  balance sheets of Company
         and  its  Subsidiaries  as at the end of such  


                                       83
<PAGE>

         Fiscal  Quarter  and the  related  consolidated  statements  of income,
         stockholders' equity and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for
         such Fiscal  Quarter and for the period from the  beginning of the then
         current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in
         each  case  in  comparative  form  the  corresponding  figures  for the
         corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding
         figures from the  Financial  Plan for the current  Fiscal Year,  all in
         reasonable  detail  and  certified  by the chief  financial  officer of
         Company  that  they  fairly  present,  in all  material  respects,  the
         financial  condition  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as at the dates
         indicated and the results of their  operations and their cash flows for
         the  periods  indicated,  subject to changes  resulting  from audit and
         normal year-end adjustments,  and (b) a narrative report describing the
         operations  of Company  and its  Subsidiaries  in the form of the MD&A,
         which is  prepared  by the  Company  for public  filing for such Fiscal
         Quarter  and for the  period  from the  beginning  of the then  current
         Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter;

                  (iii)  Year-End  Financials:  as soon as available  and in any
         event  within  90  days  after  the end of each  Fiscal  Year,  (a) the
         consolidated  balance sheets of Company and its  Subsidiaries as at the
         end of such  Fiscal  Year and the related  consolidated  statements  of
         income,  stockholders'  equity  and  cash  flows  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries  for such  Fiscal  Year,  setting  forth  in each  case in
         comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year
         and the  corresponding  figures from the Financial  Plan for the Fiscal
         Year covered by such financial statements, all in reasonable detail and
         certified  by the chief  financial  officer of Company that they fairly
         present,  in all material respects,  the financial condition of Company
         and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their
         operations  and their  cash  flows  for the  periods  indicated,  (b) a
         narrative   report   describing  the  operations  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries in the form prepared for presentation to senior management
         for such Fiscal Year, and (c) a report thereon of independent certified
         public accountants of recognized  national standing selected by Company
         and  satisfactory  to  Administrative  Agent,  which  report  shall  be
         unqualified,  shall  express no doubts about the ability of Company and
         its  Subsidiaries to continue as a going concern,  and shall state that
         such consolidated  financial statements fairly present, in all material
         respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  as at the  dates  indicated  and  the  results  of  their
         operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity
         with GAAP  applied on a basis  consistent  with prior years  (except as
         otherwise  disclosed  in  such  financial   statements)  and  that  the
         examination by such  accountants in connection  with such  consolidated
         financial  statements  has  been  made  in  accordance  with  generally
         accepted auditing standards;

                  (iv) Officers' and Compliance Certificates: together with each
         delivery  of  financial  statements  of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries
         pursuant  to  subdivisions  (ii)  and  (iii)  above,  (a) an  Officers'
         Certificate of Company stating that the signers have reviewed the terms
         of this  Agreement  and have  made,  or caused to be made  under  


                                       84
<PAGE>

         their  supervision,  a review in reasonable  detail of the transactions
         and  condition of Company and its  Subsidiaries  during the  accounting
         period  covered by such  financial  statements and that such review has
         not  disclosed the  existence  during or at the end of such  accounting
         period,  and that the signers do not have knowledge of the existence as
         at the date of such  Officers'  Certificate,  of any condition or event
         that constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, or,
         if any such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature
         and period of existence  thereof and what action Company has taken,  is
         taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;  and (b) a Compliance
         Certificate  demonstrating in reasonable  detail (1) compliance  during
         and  at  the  end  of  the  applicable   accounting  periods  with  the
         restrictions  contained  in  Section  6,  in each  case  to the  extent
         compliance  with such  restrictions is required to be tested at the end
         of the  applicable  accounting  period and (2) with  respect to any Net
         Asset Sale  Proceeds  received  by  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
         during the  second  Fiscal  Quarter  immediately  preceding  the Fiscal
         Quarter in which the applicable  accounting period ends, whether or not
         all or any  portion of such Net Asset Sale  Proceeds  shall have become
         Unreinvested Asset Sale Proceeds;

                  (v) Reconciliation  Statements:  if, as a result of any change
         in  accounting   principles   and  policies  from  those  used  in  the
         preparation  of  the  audited  financial   statements  referred  to  in
         subsection 4.3, the  consolidated  financial  statements of Company and
         its  Subsidiaries  delivered  pursuant to subdivisions  (ii),  (iii) or
         (xiii) of this subsection 5.1 will differ in any material  respect from
         the  consolidated  financial  statements that would have been delivered
         pursuant  to  such  subdivisions  had  no  such  change  in  accounting
         principles  and policies  been made,  then (a) together  with the first
         delivery of financial statements pursuant to subdivision (ii), (iii) or
         (xiii) of this  subsection  5.1  following  such  change,  consolidated
         financial  statements  of  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  for (y) the
         current  Fiscal Year to the  effective  date of such change and (z) the
         two full Fiscal Years  immediately  preceding  the Fiscal Year in which
         such change is made,  in each case  prepared on a pro forma basis as if
         such change had been in effect  during such  periods,  and (b) together
         with each  delivery of  financial  statements  pursuant to  subdivision
         (ii),  (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 5.1 following such change,  a
         written  statement of the chief  accounting  officer or chief financial
         officer of  Company  setting  forth the  differences  which  would have
         resulted if such financial  statements had been prepared without giving
         effect to such change;

                  (vi) Accountants'  Certification:  together with each delivery
         of consolidated  financial  statements of Company and its  Subsidiaries
         pursuant  to  subdivision  (iii)  above,  a  written  statement  by the
         independent  certified public accountants giving the report thereon (a)
         stating that their audit examination has included a review of the terms
         of this  Agreement and the other AXEL Loan  Documents as they relate to
         accounting matters, (b) stating whether, in connection with their audit
         examination,  any  condition  or  event  that  constitutes  an Event of
         Default or Potential  Event of Default has come to their attention and,
         if such a condition  or event has come to 


                                       85
<PAGE>

         their attention, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof;
         provided  that  such  accountants  shall not be liable by reason of any
         failure to obtain  knowledge  of any such Event of Default or Potential
         Event of  Default  that would not be  disclosed  in the course of their
         audit   examination,   and  (c)  stating  that  based  on  their  audit
         examination  nothing  has come to their  attention  that causes them to
         believe  either  or  both  that  the   information   contained  in  the
         certificates  delivered therewith pursuant to subdivision (iv) above is
         not  correct  or  that  the   matters  set  forth  in  the   Compliance
         Certificates  delivered therewith pursuant to clause (b) of subdivision
         (iv) above for the applicable  Fiscal Year are not stated in accordance
         with the terms of this Agreement;

                  (vii)  Accountants'  Reports:  promptly  upon receipt  thereof
         (unless restricted by applicable professional standards), copies of all
         reports   submitted  to  Company  by   independent   certified   public
         accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit of
         the financial  statements of Company and its Subsidiaries  made by such
         accountants, including any comment letter submitted by such accountants
         to management in connection with their annual audit;

                  (viii) SEC Filings  and Press  Releases:  promptly  upon their
         becoming available,  copies of (a) all financial  statements,  reports,
         notices  and  proxy  statements  sent or made  available  generally  by
         Company to its security  holders or by any Subsidiary of Company to its
         security  holders other than Company or another  Subsidiary of Company,
         (b) all regular and periodic  reports and all  registration  statements
         (other than on Form S-8 or a similar  form) and  prospectuses,  if any,
         filed  by  Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  with  any  securities
         exchange  or  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or  any
         governmental  or  private  regulatory  authority,  and  (c)  all  press
         releases and other  statements  made available  generally by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material  developments
         in the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (ix) Events of  Default,  etc.:  promptly  upon any officer of
         Company  obtaining  knowledge  (a)  of  any  condition  or  event  that
         constitutes  an Event of  Default or  Potential  Event of  Default,  or
         becoming  aware that any Lender  has given any  notice  (other  than to
         Administrative  Agent) or taken  any other  action  with  respect  to a
         claimed  Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default,  (b) that any
         Person has given any notice to  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or
         taken any other  action with  respect to a claimed  default or event or
         condition  of  the  type  referred  to in  subsection  7.2,  (c) of any
         condition  or event that would be required to be disclosed in a current
         report filed by Company with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on
         Form 8-K  (Items 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of such Form as in effect on the date
         hereof)  if  Company  were  required  to file  such  reports  under the
         Exchange Act, or (d) of the  occurrence of any event or change that has
         caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material
         Adverse  Effect,  an Officers'  Certificate  specifying  the nature and
         period of existence of such condition,  event or change,  or specifying
         the 


                                       86
<PAGE>

         notice  given or action taken by any such Person and the nature of such
         claimed Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, default, event or
         condition, and what action Company has taken, is taking and proposes to
         take with respect thereto;

                  (x)  Litigation  or Other  Proceedings:  (a) promptly upon any
         officer of Company  obtaining  knowledge of (X) the  institution of, or
         non-frivolous  threat  of,  any  action,   suit,   proceeding  (whether
         administrative,  judicial or otherwise),  governmental investigation or
         arbitration  against or affecting Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
         any  property  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  (collectively,
         "PROCEEDINGS")  not  previously  disclosed  in  writing  by  Company to
         Lenders or (Y) any material  development in any Proceeding that, in any
         case:

                           (1)      if  adversely  determined,  has a reasonable
                  possibility of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect; or

                           (2)  seeks  to  enjoin  or   otherwise   prevent  the
                  consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as
                  a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby;

         written notice thereof  together with such other  information as may be
         reasonably  available to Company to enable Lenders and their counsel to
         evaluate such matters; and (b) within twenty days after the end of each
         Fiscal  Quarter,  a schedule of all  Proceedings  involving  an alleged
         liability  of, or claims  against or  affecting,  Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries  equal to or greater than  $500,000,  and  promptly  after
         request  by  Administrative  Agent  such  other  information  as may be
         reasonably requested by Administrative  Agent to enable  Administrative
         Agent and its counsel to evaluate any of such Proceedings;

                  (xi)  ERISA  Events:  promptly  upon  becoming  aware  of  the
         occurrence of or  forthcoming  occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written
         notice specifying the nature thereof,  what action Company,  any of its
         Subsidiaries or any of their  respective ERISA Affiliates has taken, is
         taking or proposes to take with respect  thereto and,  when known,  any
         action  taken  or  threatened  by the  Internal  Revenue  Service,  the
         Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto;

                  (xii) ERISA Notices: with reasonable promptness, copies of (a)
         each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500
         Series)  filed  by  Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their
         respective  ERISA  Affiliates  with the Internal  Revenue  Service with
         respect to each Pension  Plan;  (b) all notices  received by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an
         ERISA Event;  and (c) copies of such other  documents  or  governmental
         reports  or  filings   relating  to  any   Employee   Benefit  Plan  as
         Administrative Agent shall reasonably request;

                                       87
<PAGE>

                  (xiii)  Financial  Plans:  as soon as  practicable  and in any
         event no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of each Fiscal Year,
         a  consolidated  plan and  financial  forecast for such Fiscal Year and
         each  succeeding  Fiscal Year  through  the date of the last  scheduled
         payment  relating  to the AXELs (the  "FINANCIAL  PLAN" for such Fiscal
         Years),  including  (a)  forecasted  consolidated  balance  sheets  and
         forecasted  consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Company
         and its Subsidiaries for each such Fiscal Year, together with pro forma
         Compliance Certificates for each such Fiscal Year and an explanation of
         the  assumptions  on which such  forecasts  are based,  (b)  forecasted
         consolidated  statements  of income and cash  flows of Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  for each month of the first such  Fiscal  Year,  together
         with an  explanation  of the  assumptions  on which such  forecasts are
         based, and (c) such other information and projections as any Lender may
         reasonably request;

                  (xiv)  Insurance:  as soon as practicable  and in any event by
         the last  day of each  Fiscal  Year,  a  report  in form and  substance
         satisfactory to Administrative  Agent outlining all material  insurance
         coverage  maintained  as of the date of such  report by Company and its
         Subsidiaries  and  all  material   insurance  coverage  planned  to  be
         maintained  by  Company  and  its   Subsidiaries   in  the  immediately
         succeeding Fiscal Year;

                  (xv) Board of Directors:  with reasonable promptness,  written
         notice of any change in the Board of Directors of Company;

                  (xvi) New  Subsidiaries:  promptly upon any Person  becoming a
         Subsidiary of Company,  a written  notice setting forth with respect to
         such Person (a) the date on which such Person  became a  Subsidiary  of
         Company  and (b) all of the data  required  to be set forth in Schedule
         4.1 annexed  hereto  with  respect to all  Subsidiaries  of Company (it
         being understood that such written notice shall be deemed to supplement
         Schedule 4.1 annexed hereto for all purposes of this Agreement);

                  (xvii) Material Contracts:  promptly,  and in any event within
         ten Business Days after any Material  Contract of Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries  is  terminated  or amended in a manner that is materially
         adverse to Company or such  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, or any new
         Material Contract is entered into, a written statement  describing such
         event with copies of such material amendments or new contracts,  and an
         explanation of any actions being taken with respect thereto; and

                  (xviii) Other Information:  with reasonable  promptness,  such
         other  information  and data  with  respect  to  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  as from time to time may be  reasonably  requested by any
         Lender.

                                       88
<PAGE>

5.2      CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC.

         Except as permitted under  subsection 6.5, Company will, and will cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to, at all times  preserve and keep in full force and
effect its  corporate  existence and all rights and  franchises  material to its
business;  provided,  however that neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries
shall be  required  to  preserve  any such  right or  franchise  if the Board of
Directors of Company or such Subsidiary  shall  determine that the  preservation
thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous
in any material respect to Company, such Subsidiary or Lenders.

5.3      PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS; TAX CONSOLIDATION.

         A. Company will,  and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, pay all
material taxes,  assessments and other  governmental  charges imposed upon it or
any of its  properties or assets or in respect of any of its income,  businesses
or franchises  before any penalty  accrues  thereon,  and all claims  (including
claims for labor,  services,  materials  and supplies) for sums that have become
due and  payable  and  that by law  have or may  become  a Lien  upon any of its
properties  or  assets,  prior to the time  when any  penalty  or fine  shall be
incurred  with respect  thereto;  provided  that no such charge or claim need be
paid if it is being contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings promptly
instituted  and  diligently  conducted,  so long as (1)  such  reserve  or other
appropriate  provision,  if any, as shall be required  in  conformity  with GAAP
shall have been made therefor and (2) in the case of a charge or claim which has
or may become a Lien against any of the  Collateral,  such  contest  proceedings
conclusively  operate  to stay  the sale of any  portion  of the  Collateral  to
satisfy such charge or claim.

         B.  Company will not,  nor will it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
file or  consent to the filing of any  consolidated  income tax return  with any
Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

5.4      MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES; INSURANCE; APPLICATION OF NET INSURANCE/
         CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS.

         A. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.  Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to,  maintain or cause to be  maintained  in good repair,  working
order and condition,  ordinary wear and tear excepted,  all material  properties
used or useful in the business of Company and its  Subsidiaries  (including  all
Intellectual  Property)  and from time to time will make or cause to be made all
appropriate repairs,  renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure
to maintain such  properties  could not reasonably be expected in any individual
case or in the aggregate to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         B.  INSURANCE.  Company will maintain or cause to be  maintained,  with
financially sound and reputable insurers, such public liability insurance, third
party property damage 


                                       89
<PAGE>

insurance,  business interruption  insurance and casualty insurance with respect
to  liabilities,  losses or damage in  respect  of the  assets,  properties  and
businesses  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as may  customarily  be carried or
maintained under similar circumstances by corporations of established reputation
engaged in similar  businesses,  in each case in such amounts  (giving effect to
self-insurance),  with such  deductibles,  covering  such risks and otherwise on
such terms and  conditions  as shall be  customary  for  corporations  similarly
situated in the industry.  Without  limiting the  generality  of the  foregoing,
Company will maintain or cause to be maintained (i) flood insurance with respect
to each Flood Hazard  Property that is located in a community that  participates
in the National Flood  Insurance  Program,  in each case in compliance  with any
applicable  regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
and (ii)  replacement  value  casualty  insurance on the  Collateral  under such
policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such
deductibles,  and  covering  such  risks  as are at all  times  satisfactory  to
Administrative Agent in its commercially  reasonable judgment.  Each such policy
of insurance shall (a) name Collateral  Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties
as an additional  insured  thereunder as its interests may appear and (b) in the
case of each business interruption and casualty insurance policy, contain a loss
payable clause or endorsement,  satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral
Agent,  that names  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of Secured  Parties as the
loss payee  thereunder for any covered loss in excess of $1,500,000 and provides
for at  least  30 days  prior  written  notice  to  Administrative  Agent of any
modification or cancellation of such policy.

         C.       APPLICATION OF NET INSURANCE/CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS.

                  (i) Business Interruption  Insurance.  Upon receipt by Company
         or any of its  Subsidiaries  of  any  business  interruption  insurance
         proceeds constituting Net Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds, (a) so long
         as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  Company
         or such Subsidiary may retain and apply such Net Insurance/Condemnation
         Proceeds for working capital  purposes,  and (b) if an Event of Default
         shall have  occurred and be  continuing,  Company shall apply an amount
         equal to such Net  Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds to prepay the AXELs
         as provided in subsection 2.4B(ii)(b);

                  (ii) Casualty Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. Upon receipt by
         Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of any Net  Insurance/Condemnation
         Proceeds other than from business interruption  insurance,  (a) so long
         as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  Company
         shall, or shall cause one or more of its  Subsidiaries  to, (1) subject
         to clause (iv) below,  promptly and  diligently and in any event within
         six months of receipt apply such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to
         pay or reimburse  the costs of  repairing,  restoring or replacing  the
         assets in  respect of which  such Net  Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds
         were received or, (2) to the extent not so applied, or applied pursuant
         to clause (iv) below  within six months of receipt by Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries  to  prepay  the  AXELs  as  provided  in  subsection
         2.4B(ii)(b),  and (b) if an Event of Default shall have occurred 


                                       90
<PAGE>

         and be  continuing,  Company  shall  apply an amount  equal to such Net
         Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds  to prepay  the AXELs as  provided  in
         subsection 2.4B(ii)(b).

                  (iii)  Net   Insurance/Condemnation   Proceeds   Received   by
         Collateral   Agent.  Upon  receipt  by  Collateral  Agent  of  any  Net
         Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds as loss payee, such loss proceeds shall
         be held and applied in accordance  with the terms of the  Intercreditor
         Agreement.

                  (iv) Reinvestment of Insurance  Proceeds.  So long as no Event
         of Default or  Potential  Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be
         continuing Company and its Subsidiaries may reinvest in the business of
         Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  up  to  $1,000,000  per  year  of  Net
         Insurance/Condemnation  Proceeds recovered by the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries  provided that such funds are reinvested within six months
         of receipt by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

5.5      INSPECTION RIGHTS; LENDER MEETING.

         A.  INSPECTION  RIGHTS.  Company  shall,  and shall  cause  each of its
Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized  representatives designated by any Lender
to  visit  and  inspect  any  of  the  properties  of  Company  or of any of its
Subsidiaries,  to inspect,  copy and take extracts from its and their  financial
and  accounting  records,  and to discuss its and their  affairs,  finances  and
accounts  with  its  and  their  officers  and  independent  public  accountants
(provided  that Company may, if it so chooses,  be present at or  participate in
any such  discussion),  all upon reasonable  notice and at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested.

         B.  LENDER  MEETING.  Company  will,  upon  the  request  of  Arranger,
Administrative  Agent  or  Requisite  Lenders,   participate  in  a  meeting  of
Administrative  Agent and  Lenders  once  during  each Fiscal Year to be held at
Company's  corporate  offices (or at such other  location as may be agreed to by
Company  and  Administrative  Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by Company
and Administrative Agent.

5.6      COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC.

         Company shall comply,  and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and all
other Persons on or occupying any Facilities to comply, with the requirements of
all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority
(including all Environmental Laws), noncompliance with which could reasonably be
expected to cause, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       91
<PAGE>

5.7      ENVIRONMENTAL  REVIEW  AND  INVESTIGATION, DISCLOSURE,  ETC.; COMPANY'S
         ACTIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES,  ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS
         AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

         A.  ENVIRONMENTAL   REVIEW  AND  INVESTIGATION.   Company  agrees  that
Administrative  Agent may, from time to time and in its  reasonable  discretion,
(i) retain,  at Company's  expense,  an independent  professional  consultant to
review any environmental audits,  investigations,  analyses and reports relating
to  Hazardous  Materials  prepared by or for  Company  and (ii)  conduct its own
investigation  of any  Facility;  provided  that, in the case of any Facility no
longer owned,  leased,  operated or used by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,
Company shall only be obligated to use its good faith and reasonable  efforts to
obtain permission for Administrative Agent's professional  consultant to conduct
an  investigation  of such  Facility.  For purposes of conducting  such a review
and/or  investigation,  Company  hereby grants to  Administrative  Agent and its
agents,  employees,  consultants and contractors the right to enter into or onto
any Facilities  currently owned,  leased,  operated or used by Company or any of
its  Subsidiaries and to perform such tests on such property  (including  taking
samples of soil, groundwater and suspected asbestos-containing materials) as are
reasonably  necessary in connection  therewith.  Any such  investigation  of any
Facility  shall  be  conducted,  unless  otherwise  agreed  to  by  Company  and
Administrative Agent, during normal business hours and, to the extent reasonably
practicable,  shall  be  conducted  so as  not to  interfere  with  the  ongoing
operations  at such  Facility or to cause any damage or loss to any  property at
such Facility.  Company and  Administrative  Agent hereby  acknowledge and agree
that any report of any investigation  conducted at the request of Administrative
Agent  pursuant to this  subsection  5.7A will be obtained  and shall be used by
Administrative  Agent and Lenders for the purposes of Lenders'  internal  credit
decisions,  to monitor  and police  the AXELs and to protect  Lenders'  security
interests,  if any,  created by the AXEL Loan  Documents.  Administrative  Agent
agrees to deliver a copy of any such  report to Company  with the  understanding
that  Company  acknowledges  and  agrees  that  (x) it will  indemnify  and hold
harmless  Administrative  Agent  and each  Lender  from  any  costs,  losses  or
liabilities relating to Company's use of or reliance on such report, (y) neither
Administrative  Agent nor any Lender makes any  representation  or warranty with
respect to such report,  and (z) by delivering  such report to Company,  neither
Administrative   Agent  nor  any  Lender  is  requiring  or   recommending   the
implementation of any suggestions or recommendations contained in such report.

         B.    ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE.  Company will deliver to Administrative
Agent and Lenders:

                  (i) Environmental  Audits and Reports.  As soon as practicable
         following  receipt  thereof,   copies  of  all  environmental   audits,
         investigations,  analyses and reports of any kind or character, whether
         prepared  by  personnel  of  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or by
         independent consultants, governmental authorities or any 


                                       92
<PAGE>

         other Persons, with respect to significant environmental matters at any
         Facility or with respect to any Environmental Claims;

                  (ii)  Notice  of  Certain  Releases,  Remedial  Actions,  Etc.
         Promptly upon the  occurrence  thereof,  written  notice  describing in
         reasonable detail (a) any Release required to be reported by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries to any federal,  state or local governmental or
         regulatory  agency under any  applicable  Environmental  Laws,  (b) any
         remedial  action  taken by  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any
         other  Person of which  Company  has  knowledge  in response to (1) any
         Hazardous Materials  Activities the existence of which has a reasonable
         possibility  of resulting in one or more  Environmental  Claims having,
         individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (2) any
         Environmental  Claims that,  individually  or in the aggregate,  have a
         reasonable  possibility of resulting in a Material Adverse Effect,  and
         (c)  Company's  discovery  of any  occurrence  or condition on any real
         property  adjoining  or in the  vicinity  of any  Facility  that  could
         reasonably be expected to cause such Facility or any part thereof to be
         subject  to any  material  restrictions  on the  ownership,  occupancy,
         transferability or use thereof under any Environmental Laws.

                  (iii) Written Communications  Regarding  Environmental Claims,
         Releases,  Etc. As soon as practicable following the sending or receipt
         thereof,by  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  a copy of any and all
         written  communications  with respect to (a) any  Environmental  Claims
         that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have
         a Material  Adverse Effect,  (b) any Release required to be reported by
         Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to any  federal,  state  or local
         governmental or regulatory  agency, and (c) any request made to Company
         or any of its Subsidiaries for information from any governmental agency
         that suggests such agency is  investigating  whether  Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries  may be  potentially  responsible  for any  Hazardous
         Materials Activity.

                  (iv) Notice of Certain Proposed  Actions Having  Environmental
         Impact.  Prompt written notice  describing in reasonable detail (a) any
         proposed acquisition of stock, assets, or property by Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries  that  could  reasonably  be  expected  to (1) expose
         Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to, or result  in,  Environmental
         Claims that would have,  individually  or in the aggregate,  a Material
         Adverse  Effect or (2)  result in  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries
         failing to maintain in full force and effect all material  Governmental
         Authorizations   required  under  any  Environmental   Laws  for  their
         respective  operations  and (b) any  proposed  action  to be  taken  by
         Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  to modify current  operations in a
         manner that could  reasonably be expected to subject  Company or any of
         its  Subsidiaries to any additional  obligations or requirements  under
         any Environmental Laws.

                                       93
<PAGE>

                  (v) Other Information.  With reasonable promptness, such other
         documents  and  information  as from  time to  time  may be  reasonably
         requested by Administrative  Agent in relation to any matters disclosed
         pursuant to this subsection 5.7.

         C.       COMPANY'S  ACTIONS  REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS  ACTIVITIES,
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

                  (i)  Remedial   Actions   Relating  to   Hazardous   Materials
         Activities.  Company shall promptly undertake,  and shall cause each of
         its  Subsidiaries  promptly to undertake,  any and all  investigations,
         studies, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or
         other  response  actions  necessary to remove,  remediate,  clean up or
         abate any Hazardous  Materials Activity on, under or about any Facility
         that is in  violation  of any  Environmental  Laws or that  presents  a
         material risk of giving rise to an  Environmental  Claim.  In the event
         Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  undertakes  any such  action  with
         respect to any Hazardous  Materials,  Company or such Subsidiary  shall
         conduct and  complete  such action in  compliance  with all  applicable
         Environmental  Laws and in  accordance  with the  policies,  orders and
         directives  of all federal,  state and local  governmental  authorities
         except  when,   and  only  to  the  extent  that,   Company's  or  such
         Subsidiary's   liability  with  respect  to  such  Hazardous  Materials
         Activity  is  being   contested  in  good  faith  by  Company  or  such
         Subsidiary.

                  (ii)  Actions  with  Respect  to   Environmental   Claims  and
         Violations of  Environmental  Laws.  Company shall  promptly  take, and
         shall  cause each of its  Subsidiaries  promptly  to take,  any and all
         actions necessary to (i) cure any violation of applicable Environmental
         Laws by  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  and  (ii)  make an  appropriate
         response  to any  Environmental  Claim  against  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  and discharge any  obligations  it may have to any Person
         thereunder.

5.8      EXECUTION  OF  SUBSIDIARY  GUARANTY  AND  PERSONAL  PROPERTY COLLATERAL
         DOCUMENTS BY CERTAIN  SUBSIDIARIES AND FUTURE SUBSIDIARIES.

         A. EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY  GUARANTY AND PERSONAL  PROPERTY  COLLATERAL
DOCUMENTS. In the event that any Domestic Subsidiary existing on the Restatement
Effective  Date  that  has  not  previously  executed  the  Subsidiary  Guaranty
hereafter  owns or acquires  assets with an aggregate fair market value (without
netting  such fair  market  value  against  any  liability  of such  Subsidiary)
exceeding $500,000,  or in the event that any Person becomes a Material Domestic
Subsidiary after the date hereof,  Company will promptly notify Collateral Agent
of that fact and cause such  Subsidiary  to execute  and  deliver to  Collateral
Agent a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty and a Subsidiary Pledge Agreement
and a Subsidiary  Security  Agreement  and to take all such further  actions and
execute all such further documents and instruments (including actions, documents
and  instruments  comparable to those  described in  subsection  3.1H) as may be
necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral  Agent,  desirable to create in favor
of Collateral  Agent, for the 


                                       94
<PAGE>

benefit of Secured Parties,  a valid and perfected First Priority Lien on all of
the  personal  and mixed  property  assets of such  Subsidiary  described in the
applicable forms of Collateral Documents.

         B. SUBSIDIARY  CHARTER  DOCUMENTS,  LEGAL OPINIONS,  ETC. Company shall
deliver  to  Collateral  Agent,  together  with such AXEL  Loan  Documents,  (i)
certified copies of such Subsidiary's  Certificate or Articles of Incorporation,
together  with a good  standing  certificate  from the Secretary of State of the
jurisdiction of its  incorporation  and each other state in which such Person is
qualified as a foreign  corporation to do business and, to the extent  generally
available, a certificate or other evidence of good standing as to payment of any
applicable  franchise or similar taxes from the appropriate  taxing authority of
each of such  jurisdictions,  each to be  dated a  recent  date  prior  to their
delivery to Collateral Agent, (ii) a copy of such Subsidiary's Bylaws, certified
by its corporate  secretary or an assistant  secretary as of a recent date prior
to their  delivery to  Collateral  Agent,  (iii) a  certificate  executed by the
secretary or an assistant  secretary of such  Subsidiary as to (a) the fact that
the attached  resolutions of the Board of Directors of such Subsidiary approving
and  authorizing  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of such AXEL Loan
Documents are in full force and effect and have not been modified or amended and
(b) the incumbency and signatures of the officers of such  Subsidiary  executing
such AXEL Loan  Documents,  and (iv) a  favorable  opinion  of  counsel  to such
Subsidiary,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to  Collateral  Agent and its
counsel,  as to (a) the due  organization  and good standing of such Subsidiary,
(b) the due  authorization,  execution  and delivery by such  Subsidiary of such
AXEL Loan Documents,  (c) the enforceability of such AXEL Loan Documents against
such  Subsidiary,  (d) such other  matters  (including  matters  relating to the
creation and  perfection of Liens in any  Collateral  pursuant to such AXEL Loan
Documents) as Collateral Agent may reasonably  request,  all of the foregoing to
be satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and its counsel.

                  C. FOREIGN  SUBSIDIARY LOAN  DOCUMENTS.  In the event that any
Foreign Subsidiary existing on the Restatement  Effective Date whose shares have
not been pledged  pursuant to an  Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreement  owns or acquires
assets with an  aggregate  fair market value  (without  netting such fair market
value against any liability of such Subsidiary) exceeding $1,500,000,  or in the
event that any person  becomes a Foreign  Subsidiary  which owns  assets with an
aggregate fair market value (without  netting such fair market value against any
liability of such Subsidiary) exceeding $1,500,000, Company will promptly notify
Collateral Agent of that fact and shall or cause the applicable subsidiary which
owns equity in such  Foreign  Subsidiary  to execute  and deliver to  Collateral
Agent an  Auxiliary  Pledge  Agreement  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to
Collateral  Agent;  to take all such  further  actions and execute  such further
documents and  instruments  as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral
Agent  reasonably  desirable,  to perfect a Lien on the equity interests of such
Foreign  Subsidiary  for the  benefit  of  Secured  Parties  and to  deliver  to
Collateral  Agent an opinion  of  counsel  (which  counsel  shall be  reasonably
acceptable to Collateral Agent) as to the enforceability of the Auxiliary Pledge
Agreement  under  the  laws  of  such  


                                       95
<PAGE>

Foreign  Subsidiary's  jurisdiction  of  organization  and such other matters as
Collateral Agent may reasonably request (including as to the perfection of liens
on such equity interests)

                  D. If at any time JCS Realty  acquires any  personal  property
assets with an  aggregate  fair market value  (without  netting such fair market
value against any  liability of JCS Realty) in excess of $500,000,  Company will
promptly  notify  Collateral  Agent of that fact and cause JCS Realty to execute
and  deliver  all  documents  and to take all  such  further  actions  as may be
necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral  Agent,  desirable to create in favor
of Collateral  Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties,  a valid and perfected
First Priority Lien on such property in all relevant jurisdictions.

5.9      CONFORMING  LEASEHOLD INTERESTS;  MATTERS  RELATING TO ADDITIONAL REAL
         PROPERTY COLLATERAL

         A.  CONFORMING  LEASEHOLD  INTERESTS.  From and after  the  Restatement
Effective  Date,  if Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  acquires any Leasehold
Property,  Company shall,  or shall cause such Subsidiary to, use its reasonable
and  good  faith  efforts  (without  requiring  Company  or such  Subsidiary  to
relinquish  any material  rights or incur any material  obligations or to expend
more  than a  nominal  amount of money  over and  above  the  reimbursement,  if
required, of the Landlord's reasonable out-of-pocket costs, including attorneys'
fees) to cause such Leasehold Property to be a Conforming Leasehold Interest.

         B. MORTGAGES,  ETC. From and after the  Restatement  Effective Date, in
the event that (i) Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor acquires any fee interest
in real property or any Material  Leasehold  Property,  (ii) with respect to any
Material  Leasehold  Property or any real  property  in which  Company has a fee
interest in on or prior to the  Restatement  Effective  Date, any first priority
mortgage existing on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date on such property
is removed or (iii) at the time any Person  (including  Eden  Prairie  Holdings)
becomes a  Subsidiary  Guarantor,  such Person owns or holds any fee interest in
real property or any Material Leasehold Property, in all cases excluding (A) any
such Real Property Asset the  encumbrancing of which requires the consent of any
applicable  lessor or (in the case of clause (iii) above)  then-existing  senior
lienholder,  where  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  are  unable to  obtain  such
lessor's  or  senior  lienholder's  consent  and  (B) the  Anagram  Headquarters
Facility  in the event (a) the  mortgage  recording  tax payable in respect of a
Mortgage  thereon  would be based on an amount  greater  than the amount of Eden
Prairie Holdings' Additional Guarantor's Obligations under and as defined in the
Subsidiary  Guaranty,  or (b) in the opinion of counsel  (which counsel shall be
reasonably  satisfactory to Collateral  Agent) in the state in which the Anagram
Headquarters  Facility  is  located,  there is a  reasonable  likelihood  that a
mortgage to secure  Eden  Prairie  Holdings'  obligations  under the  Subsidiary
Guaranty in the form  requested by the  Collateral  Agent would not be valid and
enforceable in the applicable jurisdictions of such state (any such non-excluded
Real  Property  Asset  described in the  foregoing  clause (i),  (ii) or (iii) a
"MORTGAGED PROPERTY") Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall promptly notify
Collateral Agent, and shall deliver upon Collateral Agent's written request,  as
soon as  


                                       96
<PAGE>

practicable  after such Person  acquires  such  Mortgaged  Property or becomes a
Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, the following:

                  (i) Mortgage.  A fully  executed and  notarized  Mortgage duly
         recorded in all  appropriate  places in all  applicable  jurisdictions,
         encumbering the interest of such Loan Party in such Mortgaged Property;

                  (ii) Opinions of Counsel.  (a) A favorable  opinion of counsel
         to such Loan Party,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to Collateral
         Agent  and its  counsel,  as to the due  authorization,  execution  and
         delivery by such Loan Party of such  Mortgage and such other matters as
         Collateral  Agent  may  reasonably  request,  and  (b) if  required  by
         Collateral  Agent,  an  opinion  of  counsel  (which  counsel  shall be
         reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent) in the state in which such
         Mortgaged  Property is located  with respect to the  enforceability  of
         such Mortgage and such other matters (including any matters governed by
         the laws of such state regarding  personal property security  interests
         in  respect  of any  Collateral)  as  Collateral  Agent may  reasonably
         request, in each case in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
         Collateral Agent;

                  (iii)  Landlord  Consent  and  Estoppel;   Recorded  Leasehold
         Interest. In the case of a Mortgaged Property consisting of a Leasehold
         Property,  (a) if such  Leasehold  Property  is  holding  or will  hold
         inventory or equipment  with an aggregate  fair market value  exceeding
         $500,000,  a Landlord Consent and Estoppel  provided that Company shall
         only be required  to use  reasonable  and good faith  efforts to obtain
         such  Landlord  Consent and Estoppel  and in no event shall  Company be
         obligated to pay any fee, charge or other consideration to any landlord
         in order to obtain such Landlord  Consent and Estoppel,  other than, if
         required,  the landlord's  reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs,  including
         attorneys'  fees  and  (b) if such  Leasehold  Property  is a  Recorded
         Leasehold Interest, evidence to that effect

                  (iv)  Title   Insurance.   (a)  If  reasonably   requested  by
         Collateral  Agent,  an ALTA  mortgagee  title  insurance  policy  or an
         unconditional  commitment  therefor (a "MORTGAGE POLICY") issued by the
         Title  Company with respect to such  Mortgaged  Property,  in an amount
         satisfactory  to Collateral  Agent,  insuring fee simple title to, or a
         valid  leasehold  interest in, such Mortgaged  Property  vested in such
         Loan Party and assuring  Collateral  Agent that such Mortgage creates a
         valid and  enforceable  First Priority  mortgage Lien on such Mortgaged
         Property,  subject  only to, if  available  in the state in which  such
         Mortgaged  Property  is located,  a standard  survey  exception  and to
         Permitted  Encumbrances,  which Mortgage  Policy (1) shall include,  if
         available in the state in which such Mortgaged Property is located,  an
         endorsement  for  mechanics'  liens,  for  future  advances  under this
         Agreement and for any other matters reasonably  requested by Collateral
         Agent and (2) shall  provide for such  affirmative  insurance  and such
         reinsurance  as Collateral  Agent may  reasonably  request,  all of the
         foregoing in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Collateral
         Agent; and 


                                       97
<PAGE>

         (b) evidence  satisfactory to Collateral Agent that such Loan Party has
         (i)  delivered to the Title  Company all  certificates  and  affidavits
         customarily  required  by the  Title  Company  in  connection  with the
         issuance of the Mortgage  Policy and (ii) paid to the Title  Company or
         to the appropriate  governmental  authorities all expenses and premiums
         of the Title  Company in  connection  with the issuance of the Mortgage
         Policy and all recording and stamp taxes (including  mortgage recording
         and intangible taxes) payable in connection with recording the Mortgage
         in  the  appropriate  real  estate  records;   provided  however,  that
         Administrative  Agent shall allow for such reasonable  revisions to the
         applicable  mortgage  and  shall  otherwise  take  such  steps  as  are
         reasonable  and customary to minimize  recording,  mortgage  recording,
         stamp,  documentary and intangible taxes, at Company's cost;  provided,
         further,  that in no event shall such Loan Party be required to pay any
         additional  mortgage  recording tax after the initial  recording of any
         such Mortgage which may be required in order to maintain the secured or
         priority status of such Mortgage.

                  (v) Title  Report.  If no  Mortgage  Policy is  required  with
         respect to such Mortgaged Property,  a title report issued by the Title
         Company with respect thereto,  dated not more than 30 days prior to the
         date such  Mortgage  is to be  recorded  and  satisfactory  in form and
         substance to Collateral Agent;

                  (vi) Copies of Documents Relating to Title Exceptions.  Copies
         of all recorded  documents  listed as  exceptions to title or otherwise
         referred to in the Mortgage Policy or title report  delivered  pursuant
         to clause (iv) or (v) above;

                  (vii)  Matters  Relating  to  Flood  Hazard  Properties.   (a)
         Evidence, which may be in the form of a letter from an insurance broker
         or a municipal engineer, as to (1) whether such Mortgaged Property is a
         Flood  Hazard  Property and (2) if so,  whether the  community in which
         such Flood Hazard Property is located is  participating in the National
         Flood  Insurance  Program,  (b) if such  Mortgaged  Property is a Flood
         Hazard Property,  such Loan Party's written  acknowledgement of receipt
         of written  notification  from Collateral Agent (1) that such Mortgaged
         Property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the community
         in which such Flood Hazard Property is located is  participating in the
         National Flood Insurance  Program,  and (c) in the event such Mortgaged
         Property is a Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that
         participates  in the National Flood  Insurance  Program,  evidence that
         Company has  obtained  flood  insurance in respect of such Flood Hazard
         Property to the extent required under the applicable regulations of the
         Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

                  (viii)  Environmental  Audit. If required by Collateral Agent,
         reports  and  other   information,   in  form,   scope  and   substance
         satisfactory  to  Collateral   Agent  and  prepared  by   environmental
         consultants   satisfactory   to  Collateral   Agent,   concerning   any
         environmental  hazards or  liabilities  to which  Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries may be subject with respect to such Mortgaged Property.

                                       98
<PAGE>

         C. REAL ESTATE  APPRAISALS.  Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to, permit an independent  real estate  appraiser  satisfactory to
Collateral  Agent,  upon reasonable  notice, to visit and inspect any Additional
Mortgaged  Property for the purpose of preparing an appraisal of such  Mortgaged
Property  satisfying the requirements of any applicable laws and regulations (in
each case to the extent  required under such laws and  regulations as determined
by Collateral Agent in its discretion).

5.10     INTEREST RATE PROTECTION.

         A. EXISTING AXELS. Company shall at all times maintain in effect one or
more  Interest  Rate  Agreements  with  respect  to the  Existing  AXELs and the
Revolving Loans,  each such Interest Rate Agreement to be for a term of not less
than three  years from the  Closing  Date and in form and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to  Administrative  Agent,  which Interest Rate  Agreements  shall
effectively  limit the  Unadjusted  Eurodollar  Rate  Component (as  hereinafter
defined)  of the  interest  costs to Company  (i) with  respect to an  aggregate
notional principal amount of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount
of the Existing  AXELs  outstanding on the Closing Date (based on the assumption
that such notional  principal amount was a Eurodollar Rate AXEL with an Interest
Period of three  months)  to a rate equal to not more than 9% per annum and (ii)
with respect to an aggregate  notional  principal amount of not less than 25% of
the aggregate  principal amount of the Existing AXELs outstanding on the Closing
Date  (based  on the  assumption  that  such  notional  principal  amount  was a
Eurodollar Rate AXEL with an Interest Period of three months) to a rate equal to
not more than 10% per annum.  For  purposes of this  subsection  5.10,  the term
"UNADJUSTED  EURODOLLAR  RATE  COMPONENT"  means that  component of the interest
costs to Company in  respect  of a  Eurodollar  Rate AXEL that is based upon the
rate obtained  pursuant to the definition of Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate (without
giving effect to the last paragraph thereof).

         B. ADDITIONAL AXELS. At all times after the date which is 45 days after
the  Restatement  Effective  Date,  Company shall maintain in effect one or more
Interest  Rate  Agreements  with  respect  to the  Additional  AXELs,  each such
Interest  Rate  Agreement to be for a term of not less than three years from the
Restatement Effective Date and in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
Administrative Agent, which Interest Rate Agreements shall effectively limit the
Unadjusted  Eurodollar  Rate Component of the interest costs to Company (i) with
respect to an aggregate  notional  principal  amount of not less than 25% of the
aggregate   principal  amount  of  the  Additional  AXELs   outstanding  on  the
Restatement Effective Date (based on the assumption that such notional principal
amount was a Eurodollar  Rate AXEL with an Interest Period of three months) to a
rate equal to not more than 9% per annum and (ii) with  respect to an  aggregate
notional principal amount of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount
of the Additional AXELs outstanding on the Restatement  Effective Date (based on
the assumption  that such notional  principal  amount was a Eurodollar Rate AXEL
with an  Interest  Period of three  months) to a rate equal to not more than 10%
per annum.

                                       99
<PAGE>

5.11     CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

         Company shall at all times  maintain a cash  management  system for the
Loan Parties in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Arranger and
the  Administrative  Agent.  The terms and  conditions  of such cash  management
system shall be as set forth in Schedule 5.11 annexed hereto.

5.12     TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS.

         If Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  acquires any material  patents,
trademarks or copyrights,  Company shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent of
that fact and, if requested by Administrative Agent, Company shall, or cause the
applicable  Subsidiary to, execute and deliver to Collateral Agent  supplemental
security  agreements  and take such other  actions as the  Collateral  Agent may
reasonably  request to create in favor of Collateral  Agent,  for the benefit of
Secured  Parties a valid and  perfected  First  Priority  Lien on such  patents,
trademarks or copyrights.


                                   SECTION 6.
                          COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Company  covenants  and agrees that,  so long as any of the  Additional
AXEL  Commitments  hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of
all of the AXELs and other Obligations  unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise
give prior written consent,  Company shall perform,  and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 6.

6.1      INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF DISQUALIFIED STOCK .

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly,  create,  incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise become
or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, (collectively,  "incur"
and  correlatively,  an "incurrence"  of) any Indebtedness  (including  Acquired
Debt) and that the  Company  will not issue any  Disqualified  Stock;  provided,
however,  that the Company may incur Indebtedness  (including  Acquired Debt) or
issue shares of  Disqualified  Stock if the Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio for the
Company  for the most  recent  four full  fiscal  quarters  for  which  internal
financial  statements  are available at the time of such  incurrence  would have
been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma
application of the net proceeds  therefrom),  as if the additional  Indebtedness
had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be,
and the  application of the proceeds  therefrom had occurred at the beginning of
such four-quarter period.

                  The foregoing provision will not apply to:

                                      100
<PAGE>

                           (i) the  incurrence by the Company (and the Guarantee
                  thereof  by  the   Guarantors)  of   Obligations   under  this
                  Agreement;

                           (ii) the  incurrence  by Company  (and the  Guarantee
                  thereof by the Guarantors) of Indebtedness under the Revolving
                  Credit  Agreement  and the issuance of letters of credit under
                  the Revolving  Credit  Agreement (with letters of credit being
                  deemed  to have a  principal  amount  equal  to the  aggregate
                  maximum  amount  available  to be drawn  thereunder,  assuming
                  compliance with all conditions for drawing) up to an aggregate
                  principal  amount of $50,000,000  outstanding at any one time,
                  less permanent commitment reductions with respect to Revolving
                  Loans  and  letters  of  credit  under  the  Revolving  Credit
                  Agreement  (in each  case,  other than in  connection  with an
                  amendment,  refinancing,  refunding,  replacement,  renewal or
                  modification) made after the Closing Date;

                           (iii) the  incurrence  by the  Company  or any of its
                  Restricted Subsidiaries of any Existing Indebtedness;

                           (iv)  the  incurrence  by the  Company  or any of its
                  Restricted  Subsidiaries  of  Indebtedness  represented by the
                  Senior  Subordinated  Notes (but,  with respect to this clause
                  (iv), only up to the aggregate principal amount thereof issued
                  on the Closing Date);

                           (v) Indebtedness  (including  Acquired Debt) incurred
                  by  the  Company  or any of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  to
                  finance the purchase,  lease or  improvement of property (real
                  or personal),  assets or equipment (whether through the direct
                  purchase of assets or the Capital  Stock of any Person  owning
                  such assets),  in an aggregate  principal amount not to exceed
                  $15,000,000  plus 5% of the increase in Total Assets since the
                  Closing Date;

                           (vi)  Indebtedness  incurred by the Company or any of
                  its   Restricted   Subsidiaries   constituting   reimbursement
                  obligations  with  respect to letters of credit  issued in the
                  ordinary course of business,  including,  without  limitation,
                  letters of credit in respect of workers'  compensation  claims
                  or  self-insurance,  or other  Indebtedness  with  respect  to
                  reimbursement type obligations regarding workers' compensation
                  claims;

                           (vii) intercompany  Indebtedness between or among the
                  Company and any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries and Guarantees
                  by the Company of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of
                  the Company or by a  Restricted  Subsidiary  of the Company of
                  Indebtedness of any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
                  or the  Company;  provided  that  (a)  all  such  intercompany
                  Indebtedness shall be evidenced by promissory notes subject to
                  a first priority perfected pledge in favor of Lenders, (b) all
                  such  intercompany  Indebtedness  


                                      101
<PAGE>

                  owed by Company  to or in  respect of any of its  Subsidiaries
                  and all  such  Guarantees  shall be  subordinated  in right of
                  payment to the payment in full of the Obligations  pursuant to
                  the   terms  of  the   applicable   promissory   notes  or  an
                  intercompany  subordination  agreement  and (c) any payment by
                  any   Subsidiary   of  Company   under  any  guaranty  of  the
                  Obligations  shall  result  in a pro  tanto  reduction  of the
                  amount  of  any   intercompany   Indebtedness   owed  by  such
                  Subsidiary to Company or to any of its  Subsidiaries for whose
                  benefit such payment is made;

                           (viii) Hedging  Obligations that are incurred (1) for
                  the  purpose of fixing or hedging  interest  rate or  currency
                  exchange  rate risk with respect to any  Indebtedness  that is
                  permitted by the terms of this  Agreement to be outstanding or
                  (2) for the  purpose  of fixing or hedging  currency  exchange
                  rate risk with  respect to any  purchases or sales of goods or
                  other  transactions or expenditures  made or to be made in the
                  ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices
                  as to which the payment therefor or proceeds therefrom, as the
                  case may be, are  denominated  in a  currency  other than U.S.
                  dollars;

                           (ix) obligations in respect of performance and surety
                  bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or any
                  Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

                           (x)  the  incurrence  by  the  Company  or any of its
                  Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing  Indebtedness
                  in  exchange  for,  or the net  proceeds  of which are used to
                  extend,   refinance,   renew,  replace,   defease  or  refund,
                  Indebtedness  that  was  permitted  by  this  Agreement  to be
                  incurred;

                           (xi) the  incurrence  by the  Company's  Unrestricted
                  Subsidiaries of Non-Recourse Debt, provided,  however, that if
                  any such  Indebtedness  ceases to be  Non-Recourse  Debt of an
                  Unrestricted  Subsidiary,   such  event  shall  be  deemed  to
                  constitute  an  incurrence  of  Indebtedness  by a  Restricted
                  Subsidiary of the Company; and

                           (xii) the  incurrence  by the  Company of  additional
                  Indebtedness  (including  any increase in the AXEL  Commitment
                  under this  Agreement  or any increase in the  Revolving  Loan
                  Commitment under the Revolving Credit Agreement) not otherwise
                  permitted  hereunder  in an amount under this clause (xii) not
                  to  exceed  $25,000,000  in  aggregate  principal  amount  (or
                  accreted value, as applicable) outstanding at any one time.

                                      102
<PAGE>

6.2      LIENS AND RELATED MATTERS.

         A. Company  shall not and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to
directly or indirectly,  create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien that
secures obligations under any Indebtedness on any asset or property now owned or
hereafter  acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  or on any income
or profits therefrom,  or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom
to secure any  Indebtedness  other than (i) Permitted  Encumbrances,  (ii) Liens
securing (a) purchase money Indebtedness  incurred to finance the purchase price
of specific assets and Capital Leases,  so long as, upon default,  the holder of
such  Indebtedness  may  seek  recourse  or  payment  against  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  only through the return or sale of the assets financed  thereby or
(b)  Indebtedness  assumed or acquired in connection with any acquisition to the
extent attaching only to assets acquired and so long as the Indebtedness secured
thereby is  recourse  only to the  Person  acquired  or  acquiring  such  assets
provided in each case that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness  secured by such
Liens does not exceed  $10,000,000  in the  aggregate  and (iii) any other Liens
permitted under  subsection 7.2A of the Revolving Credit Agreement (as in effect
on the Closing Date) other than clause (iv) thereof.

         B. If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall create or assume any
Lien upon any of its  properties  or  assets,  whether  now  owned or  hereafter
acquired,  other than as permitted under subsection 6.2A, it shall make or cause
to be made effective  provision  whereby the  obligations of the Company and the
Subsidiaries  under the AXEL Loan Documents will be secured by such Lien equally
and ratably with any and all other  Indebtedness  secured thereby as long as any
such  Indebtedness  shall be so  secured;  provided  that,  notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  this provision shall not be construed as a consent by the Lenders to
the  creation  or  assumption  of any Lien  other  than  Liens  permitted  under
subsection 6.2A.

6.3      RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.

         A.  Company  shall  not,  and shall not  permit  any of its  Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i) declare or pay any dividend or make
any other  payment or  distribution  on account of the  Company's  or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (other than dividends or distributions
payable in Equity  Interests (other than  Disqualified  Stock) of the Company or
dividends or distributions  payable to the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary
of the Company);  (ii) purchase,  redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire
for value any Equity Interests of the Company; (iii) make any payment on or with
respect to, or  purchase,  redeem,  defease or  otherwise  acquire or retire for
value any  Subordinated  Indebtedness,  except  for a payment  of  principal  or
interest at Stated  Maturity;  or (iv) make any Restricted  Investment (all such
payments  and other  actions set forth in clauses  (i) through  (iv) above being
collectively referred to as "RESTRICTED  PAYMENTS"),  unless, at the time of and
after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

                                      103
<PAGE>

                  (a) no  Potential  Event of Default or Event of Default  shall
         have  occurred  and be  continuing  or  would  occur  as a  consequence
         thereof;

                  (b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted  Payment
         and  immediately  after  giving  pro forma  effect  thereto  as if such
         Restricted  Payment had been made at the  beginning  of the  applicable
         four-quarter  period,  have been  permitted  to incur at least $1.00 of
         additional  Indebtedness  pursuant to the Fixed Charge  Coverage  Ratio
         test set forth in subsection 6.1; and

                  (c) such  Restricted  Payment,  together with the aggregate of
         all other  Restricted  Payments made by the Company and its  Restricted
         Subsidiaries  permitted by clause (i) of the next succeeding paragraph,
         but  excluding  all other  Restricted  Payments  permitted  by the next
         succeeding  paragraph,  is  less  than  the  sum  of  (i)  50%  of  the
         Consolidated  Net Income of the  Company  for the period  (taken as one
         accounting  period)  from the  beginning  of the first  fiscal  quarter
         commencing  after the  Closing  Date to the end of the  Company's  most
         recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal  financial  statements
         are  available  at the time of such  Restricted  Payment  (or,  if such
         Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such
         deficit),  plus (ii) 100% of the  aggregate  net cash  proceeds and the
         fair  market  value,  as  determined  in good  faith  by the  Board  of
         Directors,  of marketable  securities  received by the Company from the
         issue or sale since the  Closing  Date of Equity  Interests  (including
         Retired  Capital  Stock (as defined  below)) of the Company  (except in
         connection  with the Merger) or of debt  securities of the Company that
         have been  converted into such Equity  Interests  (other than Refunding
         Capital  Stock (as defined  below) or Equity  Interests or  convertible
         debt  securities of the Company sold to a Restricted  Subsidiary of the
         Company and other than Disqualified  Stock or debt securities that have
         been  converted  into  Disqualified  Stock),  plus  (iii)  100%  of the
         aggregate  amounts  contributed  to the  common  equity  capital of the
         Company since the Closing Date, (except amounts  contributed to finance
         the Merger),  plus (iv) 100% of the aggregate  amounts received in cash
         and  the  fair  market  value  of  marketable  securities  (other  than
         Restricted Investments) received from (x) the sale or other disposition
         of  Restricted  Investments  made by the  Company  and  its  Restricted
         Subsidiaries  since the Closing Date or (y) the sale of the stock of an
         Unrestricted  Subsidiary or the sale of all or substantially all of the
         assets of an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary to the extent that a liquidating
         dividend is paid to the Company or any Subsidiary  from the proceeds of
         such sale, plus (v) 100% of any dividends  received by the Company or a
         Wholly Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary  of the Company  after the Closing
         Date  from  an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary  of  the  Company,  plus  (vi)
         $10,000,000.

                                      104
<PAGE>

         The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

                  (i) the payment of any dividend  within 60 days after the date
         of  declaration  thereof,  if at the date of  declaration  such payment
         would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;

                  (ii)  the   redemption,   repurchase,   retirement   or  other
         acquisition  of any Equity  Interests of the Company or any  Restricted
         Subsidiary   (the  "Retired   Capital   Stock")  or  any   Subordinated
         Indebtedness,  in each case, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of
         the   substantially   concurrent  sale  (other  than  to  a  Restricted
         Subsidiary  of the Company) of Equity  Interests of the Company  (other
         than any Disqualified Stock) (the "REFUNDING CAPITAL STOCK");  provided
         that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
         such redemption,  repurchase,  retirement or other acquisition shall be
         excluded from clause (c)(ii) of the immediately preceding paragraph;

                  (iii) the defeasance, redemption or repurchase of Subordinated
         Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted
         Refinancing Indebtedness;

                  (iv)  the  redemption,  repurchase  or  other  acquisition  or
         retirement  for value of any  Equity  Interests  of the  Company or any
         Restricted  Subsidiary  of  the  Company  held  by  any  member  of the
         Company's  (or any of its  Subsidiaries')  management  pursuant  to any
         management  equity  subscription  agreement  or stock option or similar
         agreement;  provided  that  the  aggregate  price  paid  for  all  such
         repurchased,  redeemed,  acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not
         exceed  the sum of  $5,000,000  in any  twelve-month  period  plus  the
         aggregate   cash   proceeds   received  by  the  Company   during  such
         twelve-month  period  from any  issuance  of  Equity  Interests  by the
         Company to members of management  of the Company and its  Subsidiaries;
         provided  that  the  amount  of any such  net  cash  proceeds  that are
         utilized  for any  such  redemption,  repurchase,  retirement  or other
         acquisition  shall be excluded from clause  (c)(ii) of the  immediately
         preceding paragraph;

                  (v)  Investments  in  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries  or in  Joint
         Ventures having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all
         other  Investments  made  pursuant  to this clause (v) that are at that
         time outstanding,  not to exceed $15,000,000 plus 5% of the increase in
         Total  Assets of  Company  since the  Closing  Date at the time of such
         Investment  (with  the  fair  market  value  of each  Investment  being
         measured  at the time made and  without  giving  effect  to  subsequent
         changes in value);

                  (vi)  repurchase  of Equity  Interests  deemed  to occur  upon
         exercise  or  conversion  of  stock  options,   warrants,   convertible
         securities or other similar Equity  Interests if such Equity  Interests
         represent  a  portion  of the  exercise  or  conversion  


                                      105
<PAGE>

         price  of such  options,  warrants,  convertible  securities  or  other
         similar Equity Interests;

                  (vii) any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of
         any class of Equity Interests issued by a Restricted  Subsidiary of the
         Company;  provided that such dividend or  distribution is paid on a pro
         rata basis to all of the holders of such Equity Interests in accordance
         with their respective holdings of such Equity Interests;

provided,  further,  that at the  time of,  and  after  giving  effect  to,  any
Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (iv) or (v) above, no Potential Event
of Default or Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be  continuing or would
occur as a consequence  thereof.  The amount of all Restricted  Payments  (other
than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted  Payment
of the asset(s)  proposed to be  transferred  by the Company or such  Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.

6.4      DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES.

         Company  shall  not,  and  shall  not  permit  any  of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,  create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become  effective any  encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted  Subsidiary to (i) (a) pay dividends or make any other  distributions
to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock or
(2) with respect to any other interest or participation  in, or measured by, its
profits,  or  (b)  pay  any  Indebtedness  owed  to  the  Company  or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries,  (ii) make loans or  advances to the Company or any of
its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  or  (iii)  sell,  lease  or  transfer  any of its
properties  or  assets to the  Company  or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,
except for such encumbrances or restrictions  existing under or by reason of (a)
Existing  Indebtedness  as in effect on the Closing Date,  (b) this Agreement or
the Revolving Credit Agreement and any amendments, modifications,  restatements,
renewals,  increases,  supplements,  refundings,  replacements  or  refinancings
thereof, provided that this Agreement and the Revolving Credit Agreement and any
amendments,  modifications,   restatements,  renewals,  increases,  supplements,
refundings, replacement or refinancings thereof are no more restrictive taken as
a whole with respect to such dividend and other payment  restrictions than those
terms  included  in  this  Agreement  and the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  as
applicable,  on the Closing Date, (c) the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and
the Senior Subordinated Notes, (d) applicable law, (e) any instrument  governing
Indebtedness  or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to
the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation
of such acquisition),  which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any
Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the
property or assets of the Person,  so acquired,  provided  that,  in the case of
Indebtedness,  such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Agreement to
be incurred, (f) customary  non-assignment or net worth provisions in leases and
other agreements  entered into in the ordinary course of 


                                      106
<PAGE>

business and consistent with past practices,  (g) purchase money obligations for
property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of
the nature  described in clause  (iii) above on the  property so  acquired,  (h)
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness,  provided that the restrictions contained in
the agreements  governing such Permitted  Refinancing  Indebtedness  are no more
restrictive  than those contained in the agreements  governing the  Indebtedness
being  refinanced,  (i) any  Mortgage  Financing  or Mortgage  Refinancing  that
imposes  restrictions on the real property securing such  Indebtedness,  (j) any
Permitted Investment,  (k) contracts for the sale of assets, including,  without
limitation customary restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company  pursuant to an  agreement  that has been  entered  into for the sale or
disposition of all or  substantially  all of the Capital Stock or assets of such
Restricted  Subsidiary or (l) customary  provisions in joint venture  agreements
and other similar agreements.

6.5      RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES; ASSET SALES.

         Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the
Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign,  transfer,lease,  convey
or otherwise  dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in
one or more related  transactions,  to another  Person unless (i) the Company is
the  surviving  corporation  or the  Person  formed  by or  surviving  any  such
consolidation  or merger  (if other  than the  Company)  or to which  such sale,
assignment,  transfer,  lease,  conveyance or other  disposition shall have been
made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States,
any state  thereof or the  District of  Columbia;  (ii) the Person  formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or Person
to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition
shall have been made  assumes  all the  obligations  of the  Company  under this
Agreement  pursuant  to  documentation  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to
Administrative  Agent;  (iii)  immediately  after such  transaction no Potential
Event of Default or Event of Default  exists;  and (iv)  except in the case of a
merger of the Company with or into a Wholly Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary of the
Company, the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation
or merger  (if other  than the  Company),  or to which  such  sale,  assignment,
transfer,  lease,  conveyance or other disposition shall have been made will, at
the time of such  transaction  and after giving pro forma  effect  thereto as if
such  transaction  had occurred at the beginning of the applicable  four-quarter
period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant
to  the  Fixed  Charge   Coverage  Ratio  test  set  forth  in  subsection  6.1.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  clauses  (iii)  and  (iv),  (a) any  Restricted
Subsidiary  may  consolidate  with,  merge into or  transfer  all or part of its
properties  and  assets to the  Company  and (b) the  Company  may merge with an
Affiliate  incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in
another jurisdiction.

                                      107
<PAGE>

6.6      TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

         Company  shall  not,  and  shall  not  permit  any  of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  to,  make any payment to, or sell,  lease,  transfer or  otherwise
dispose of any of its  properties  or assets to, or  purchase  any  property  or
assets  from,  or  enter  into  or  make  or  amend  any  contract,   agreement,
understanding,  loan,  advance or  guarantee  with,  or for the  benefit of, any
Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an "AFFILIATE  TRANSACTION"),  unless (i) such
Affiliate  Transaction  is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or
the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a
comparable  transaction  by the Company or such  Restricted  Subsidiary  with an
unrelated Person and (ii) the Company delivers to the  Administrative  Agent (a)
with  respect  to any  Affiliate  Transaction  or  series of  related  Affiliate
Transactions  involving  aggregate  consideration  in  excess of  $5,000,000,  a
resolution  of the  Board of  Directors  set forth in an  Officers'  Certificate
certifying  that such Affiliate  Transaction  complies with clause (i) above and
(if there are any  disinterested  members of the Board of  Directors)  that such
Affiliate  Transaction  has been  approved  by a majority  of the  disinterested
members  of the  Board  of  Directors  and (b)  with  respect  to any  Affiliate
Transaction  or series of related  Affiliate  Transactions  involving  aggregate
consideration  in  excess  of  $10,000,000,  or with  respect  to any  Affiliate
Transaction  or series of related  Affiliate  Transactions  involving  aggregate
consideration  in excess of  $5,000,000  as to which there are no  disinterested
members  of the  Board of  Directors,  an  opinion  as to the  fairness  of such
Affiliate  Transaction (as required by the Senior  Subordinated  Note Indenture)
from a financial point of view issued by an accounting,  appraisal or investment
banking firm of national standing.

         The  foregoing  provisions  will  not  apply  to  the  following:   (i)
transactions  between  or  among  the  Company  and/or  any  of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries;  (ii) Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments permitted under
subsection  6.3;  (iii) the payment of all fees,  expenses and other  amounts as
disclosed in the Offering Circular  relating to the Merger;  (iv) the payment of
reasonable and customary  regular fees to, and indemnity  provided on behalf of,
officer,  directors,  employees or  consultants of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company; (v) the transfer or provision of inventory,  goods or
services  by the  Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  of the  Company in the
ordinary  course of business to any  Affiliate  of the Company on terms that are
customary in the industry or  consistent  with past  practices,  including  with
respect to price and volume discounts; (vi) the execution of, or the performance
by the Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries of its  obligations  under
the terms of, any  financial  advisory,  financing,  underwriting  or  placement
agreement or any other  agreement  relating to  investment  banking or financing
activities with Goldman, Sachs & Co. or any of its Affiliates including, without
limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, in each case to the
extent that such  agreement  was  approved  by a majority  of the  disinterested
members of the Board of Directors  in good faith;  (vii)  payments,  advances or
loans to employees that are approved by a majority of the disinterested  members
of the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith;  (viii) the  performance
of  any  agreement  as in  effect  as of the  Closing  Date  or any  transaction
contemplated thereby (including pursuant to any amendment thereto so long as any
such amendment is 


                                      108
<PAGE>

not disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect);  (ix) the existence
of, or the  performance by the Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries of
its obligations  under the terms of, any stockholders  agreement  (including any
registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it
is a party as of the Closing Date and any similar  agreements which it may enter
into thereafter, provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by
the Company or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  of obligations  under,  any
future amendment to any such existing  agreement or under any similar  agreement
entered  into after the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this clause (ix)
to the extent  that the terms of any such  amendment  or new  agreement  are not
otherwise   disadvantageous  to  the  Lenders  in  any  material  respect;   (x)
transactions  permitted by, and complying  with,  the provisions of the covenant
described under  subsection 6.5; and (xi)  transactions  with suppliers or other
purchases or sales of goods or services,  in each case in the ordinary course of
business (including,  without limitation,  pursuant to joint venture agreements)
and otherwise in compliance  with the terms of this Agreement  which are fair to
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of a
majority of the  disinterested  members of the Board of Directors of the Company
or an executive officer thereof,  or are on terms at least as favorable as might
reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party.

6.7      ASSET SALES.  Company  shall  not, and  shall  not  permit  any  of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries to, cause, make or suffer to exist an Asset Sale unless
(i) the  Company (or the  Restricted  Subsidiary,  as the case may be)  received
consideration  at the time of such Asset Sale at least  equal to the fair market
value  (evidenced  by a  resolution  of the Board of  Directors  set forth in an
Officers'  Certificate  delivered to the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture as
in effect as of the Closing Date)) of the assets or Equity  Interests  issued or
sold or  otherwise  disposed  of and  (ii)  at  least  80% of the  consideration
therefor  received by Company or such  Restricted  Subsidiary  is in the form of
cash or Cash  Equivalents;  provided that the amount of (x) any  liabilities (as
shown on Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet) of
Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary  (other than  contingent  liabilities  and
liabilities  that are by their  terms  subordinated  to the Senior  Subordinated
Notes or any guarantee  thereof) that are assumed by the  transferee of any such
assets pursuant to a customary  novation agreement that releases Company or such
Restricted  Subsidiary  from  further  liability,  (y)  any  Excludable  Current
Liabilities  and (z) any notes or other  obligations  received by the Company or
any such  Restricted  Subsidiary  from  such  transferee  that  are  immediately
converted by the Company or such Restricted  Subsidiary into cash (to the extent
of the  cash  received),  shall  be  deemed  to be  cash  for  purposes  of this
provision.

6.8      AMENDMENTS OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS.

         Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
amend or otherwise  change the terms of any Subordinated  Indebtedness,  or make
any payment  consistent  with an  amendment  thereof or change  thereto,  if the
effect of such  amendment  or change is to increase  the  interest  rate on such
Subordinated  Indebtedness,  change  (to  


                                      109
<PAGE>

earlier  dates) any dates upon which  payments of  principal or interest are due
thereon,  change any event of default or  condition  to an event of default with
respect  thereto  (other than to eliminate any such event of default or increase
any  grace  period  related  thereto),  change  the  redemption,  prepayment  or
defeasance  provisions  thereof,  change the  subordination  provisions  of such
Subordinated Indebtedness (or of any guaranty thereof), or change any collateral
therefor  (other  than to  release  such  collateral),  or if the effect of such
amendment or change,  together with all other  amendments or changes made, is to
increase  materially the obligations of the obligor  thereunder or to confer any
additional rights on the holders of such Subordinated Indebtedness (or a trustee
or other  representative  on their  behalf) which would be adverse to Company or
Lenders.


                                   SECTION 7.
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         If any of the  following  conditions  or events  ("EVENTS OF  DEFAULT")
shall occur:

7.1      FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHEN DUE.

         Failure by Company to pay any installment of principal of any AXEL when
due,  and payable  whether at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration,  by notice of
voluntary  prepayment,  by  mandatory  prepayment  or  otherwise;  or failure by
Company  to pay any  interest  on any fee or any other  amount  due  under  this
Agreement within three days after the date due; or

7.2      DEFAULT IN OTHER AGREEMENTS.

         Failure  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to pay  when due any
principal  of or  interest on or any other  amount  payable in respect of one or
more items of Indebtedness  (other than  Indebtedness  referred to in subsection
7.1) or Guarantees with an aggregate  principal amount of $5,000,000 or more, in
each case beyond the end of any grace period provided  therefor;  or (ii) breach
or  default  by Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  with  respect to any other
material  term of (a) one or more items of  Indebtedness  or  Guarantees  in the
individual or aggregate principal amounts referred to in clause (i) above or (b)
any  loan  agreement  (including  the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement),  mortgage,
indenture  or other  agreement  relating  to such  item(s)  of  Indebtedness  or
Guarantee(s),  if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit
the holder or  holders of that  Indebtedness  or  Guarantee(s)  (or a trustee on
behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, that Indebtedness or Guarantee(s) to
become or be declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or the stated
maturity of any  underlying  obligation,  as the case may be (upon the giving or
receiving of notice,  lapse of time, both, or otherwise) and in either case such
breach or default shall continue for 20 days beyond any applicable grace period;
or

7.3      BREACH OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.

                                      110
<PAGE>

         The Company fails, and such failure  continues for 30 days after notice
from the  Administrative  Agent or  Lenders  holding  at least 25% in  principal
amount of the then  outstanding  AXELs,  to  observe or  perform  any  covenant,
condition  or  agreement  on the part of the Company to be observed or performed
pursuant to Sections 6.1, 6.3 and 6.5 hereof; or

7.4      BREACH OF WARRANTY.

         Any representation,  warranty, certification or other statement made by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any AXEL Loan Document or in any statement
or  certificate  at any time  given by  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection  herewith or therewith shall
be false in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

7.5      OTHER DEFAULTS UNDER AXEL LOAN DOCUMENTS.

         The Company fails, and such failure  continues for 60 days after notice
from the  Administrative  Agent or  Lenders  holding  at least 25% in  principal
amount of the then outstanding AXELs, to comply with any of its other agreements
or  covenants  in, or  provisions  of,  this  Agreement  or any other  AXEL Loan
Document; or

7.6      JUDGMENTS.

         The Company or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  fails to pay final
judgments  aggregating in excess of  $15,000,000,  which judgments are not paid,
discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; or

7.7      BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN.

         A.       The  Company or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  pursuant
to or within  the  meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

                  (i) commences a voluntary case,

                  (ii)  consents to the entry of an order for relief  against it
         in an involuntary case,

                  (iii)  consents to the  appointment  of a  receiver,  trustee,
         assignee,  liquidator  or similar  official  under any  Bankruptcy  Law
         (each, a "Custodian"),

                  (iv)  makes  a  general  assignment  for  the  benefit  of its
         creditors, or

                  (v) admits in writing  its  inability  to pay is debts as they
         become due.

                                      111
<PAGE>

         B. A court of  competent  jurisdiction  enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that:


                  (i)  is for  relief  against  the  Company  or any  Restricted
         Subsidiary in an involuntary case,

                  (ii)  appoints a Custodian  of the  Company or any  Restricted
         Subsidiary  or for  all or  substantially  all of the  property  of the
         Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or

                  (iii) orders the  liquidation of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary,

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive  days;
or

7.8      INVALIDITY OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY.

         Except as otherwise permitted under the provisions of this Agreement or
the  Intercreditor  Agreement,  the Subsidiary  Guaranty is held in any judicial
proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full
force and  effect  (except  by its terms) or any  Subsidiary  Guarantor,  or any
Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary  Guarantor,  denies or disaffirms such
Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty; or

7.9      CHANGE IN CONTROL.

         If (i) prior to a Qualified  Public  Offering  GSII  together  with any
Affiliates  of GSII shall cease to  beneficially  own and control 51% or more of
the combined  voting power of all  Securities  of the  Company,  (ii)  following
consummation  of a  Qualified  Public  Offering  any  Person  or any two or more
Persons acting in concert shall have acquired  beneficial  ownership (within the
meaning  of Rule  13d-3 of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  under the
Exchange  Act),  directly  or  indirectly,  of  Securities  of Company (or other
Securities  convertible into such Securities)  representing more of the combined
voting  power  of all  Securities  of  Company  than is  owned  by GSII  and its
Affiliates  at such time or (iii) a "Change of Control" as defined in the Senior
Subordinated Notes Indenture occurs;

THEN (i) upon the  occurrence  of any Event of Default  described in  subsection
7.7,  each of (a) the unpaid  principal  amount of and  accrued  interest on the
AXELs, and (b) all other Obligations shall automatically  become immediately due
and payable,  without presentment,  demand, protest or other requirements of any
kind,  all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by Company,  and (ii) upon the
occurrence  and  during  the   continuation  of  any  other  Event  of  Default,
Administrative Agent shall, upon the written request or with the written consent
of Requisite Lenders,  by written notice to Company,  declare all or any portion
of the 


                                      112
<PAGE>

amounts  described  in  clauses  (a) and (b)  above to be,  and the  same  shall
forthwith become, immediately due and payable.

         Notwithstanding  anything contained in the preceding  paragraph,  if at
any time within 60 days after an  acceleration  of the AXELs  pursuant to clause
(ii) of such  paragraph  Company  shall  pay all  arrears  of  interest  and all
payments on account of principal which shall have become due otherwise than as a
result of such  acceleration  (with  interest  on  principal  and, to the extent
permitted by law, on overdue interest, at the rates specified in this Agreement)
and  all  Events  of  Default  and  Potential  Events  of  Default  (other  than
non-payment of the principal of and accrued  interest on the AXELS, in each case
which is due and payable solely by virtue of acceleration)  shall be remedied or
waived pursuant to subsection 9.6, then Requisite Lenders,  by written notice to
Company,  may at their  option  rescind  and  annul  such  acceleration  and its
consequences;  but such action shall not affect any subsequent  Event of Default
or  Potential  Event of  Default  or impair any right  consequent  thereon.  The
provisions of this  paragraph are intended  merely to bind Lenders to a decision
which may be made at the  election of  Requisite  Lenders and are not  intended,
directly or indirectly, to benefit Company, and such provisions shall not at any
time be construed so as to grant Company the right to require Lenders to rescind
or annul any  acceleration  hereunder  or to  preclude  Administrative  Agent or
Lenders from  exercising  any of the rights or remedies  available to them under
any of the  AXEL  Loan  Documents,  even if the  conditions  set  forth  in this
paragraph are met.



                                      113
<PAGE>


                                   SECTION 8.
                                     AGENTS

8.1      APPOINTMENT.

         A.  APPOINTMENT  OF  AGENTS.  GSCP is  hereby  appointed  Arranger  and
Syndication  Agent  hereunder,  and each Lender hereby  authorizes  Arranger and
Syndication  Agent to act as its  agent  in  accordance  with the  terms of this
Agreement  and  the  other  AXEL  Loan  Documents.  Fleet  is  hereby  appointed
Administrative  Agent hereunder and under the other AXEL Loan Documents and each
Lender hereby authorizes  Administrative Agent to act as its agent in accordance
with the terms of this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents.  Fleet is also
being  appointed  Collateral  Agent under the  Intercreditor  Agreement and each
Lender hereby authorizes Collateral Agent to act as its agent in accordance with
the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the other AXEL Loan Documents. Each
Agent  hereby  agrees  to act  upon the  express  conditions  contained  in this
Agreement and the other AXEL Loan  Documents,  as applicable.  The provisions of
this  Section 8 are solely for the  benefit of Agents and  Lenders  and  Company
shall  have no  rights as a third  party  beneficiary  of any of the  provisions
thereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement, each Agent
shall act  solely as an agent of  Lenders  and does not  assume and shall not be
deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust
with or for Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Each of Arranger and Syndication
Agent,  without consent of or notice to any party hereto, may assign any and all
of its  rights or  obligations  hereunder  to any of its  Affiliates.  As of the
Restatement  Effective Date, all  obligations of Arranger and Syndication  Agent
hereunder shall terminate.

         B. APPOINTMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL AGENTS. It is the purpose of
this  Agreement  and the  other  AXEL  Loan  Documents  that  there  shall be no
violation of any law of any  jurisdiction  denying or  restricting  the right of
banking corporations or associations to transact business as agent or trustee in
such  jurisdiction.  It is  recognized  that in case of  litigation  under  this
Agreement or any of the other AXEL Loan Documents,  and in particular in case of
the  enforcement of any of the AXEL Loan  Documents,  or in case  Administrative
Agent deems that by reason of any present or future law of any  jurisdiction  it
may not exercise any of the rights,  powers or remedies granted herein or in any
of the other AXEL Loan Documents or take any other action which may be desirable
or necessary in connection  therewith,  it may be necessary that  Administrative
Agent appoint an additional  individual or  institution  as a separate  trustee,
co-trustee,  collateral  agent  or  collateral  co-agent  (any  such  additional
individual  or  institution   being  referred  to  herein   individually   as  a
"SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL  AGENT" and collectively as  "SUPPLEMENTAL  COLLATERAL
AGENTS").

         In  the  event  that  Administrative   Agent  appoints  a  Supplemental
Collateral  Agent with  respect  to any  Collateral,  (i) each and every  right,
power,  privilege or duty  expressed or intended by this Agreement or any of the
other  AXEL Loan  Documents  to be  exercised  by or vested  in or  conveyed  to
Administrative Agent with respect to such Collateral shall 


                                      114
<PAGE>

be exercisable by and vest in such Supplemental  Collateral Agent to the extent,
and only to the extent,  necessary to enable such Supplemental  Collateral Agent
to exercise such rights,  powers and privileges  with respect to such Collateral
and to perform such duties with respect to such  Collateral,  and every covenant
and  obligation  contained  in the AXEL  Loan  Documents  and  necessary  to the
exercise or performance thereof by such Supplemental  Collateral Agent shall run
to and be enforceable by either Agent or such Supplemental Collateral Agent, and
(ii) the provisions of this Section 8 and of subsections  9.2 and 9.3 that refer
to  Administrative  Agent  shall  inure  to the  benefit  of  such  Supplemental
Collateral  Agent and all references  therein to  Administrative  Agent shall be
deemed  to be  references  to  Administrative  Agent  and/or  such  Supplemental
Collateral Agent, as the context may require.

         Should any  instrument  in writing from Company or any other Loan Party
be required by any Supplemental  Collateral Agent so appointed by Administrative
Agent for more fully and certainly  vesting in and  confirming to him or it such
rights,  powers,  privileges and duties, Company shall, or shall cause such Loan
Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly
upon request by Administrative Agent. In case any Supplemental Collateral Agent,
or a successor  thereto,  shall die,  become  incapable of acting,  resign or be
removed,  all the rights,  powers,  privileges  and duties of such  Supplemental
Collateral Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised
by Administrative  Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental  Collateral
Agent.

8.2      POWERS AND DUTIES; GENERAL IMMUNITY.

         A. POWERS;  DUTIES SPECIFIED.  Each Lender irrevocably  authorizes each
Agent to take such action on such  Lender's  behalf and to exercise such powers,
rights and  remedies  hereunder  and under the other AXEL Loan  Documents as are
specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof,
together  with such  powers,  rights and remedies as are  reasonably  incidental
thereto.  Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities  that are
expressly  specified in this Agreement and the other AXEL Loan  Documents.  Each
Agent may exercise  such powers,  rights and remedies and perform such duties by
or through  its agents or  employees.  No Agent  shall  have,  by reason of this
Agreement or any of the other AXEL Loan Documents,  a fiduciary  relationship in
respect of any Lender;  and nothing in this  Agreement  or any of the other AXEL
Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as
to impose upon any Agent any  obligations in respect of this Agreement or any of
the other AXEL Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

         B. NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN MATTERS. No Agent shall be responsible
to  any  Lender  for  the  execution,   effectiveness,   genuineness,  validity,
enforceability,  collectibility  or  sufficiency  of this Agreement or any other
AXEL  Loan  Document  or  for  any  representations,   warranties,  recitals  or
statements  made herein or therein or made in any written or oral  statements or
in any financial or other  statements,  instruments,  reports or certificates or
any other  documents  furnished  or made by any of Agent to  Lenders or by or 


                                      115
<PAGE>

on behalf of Company to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the AXEL Loan
Documents  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  or for  the  financial
condition  or  business  affairs of Company or any other  Person  liable for the
payment of any  Obligations,  nor shall any Agent be  required to  ascertain  or
inquire as to the  performance  or observance  of any of the terms,  conditions,
provisions,  covenants or agreements contained in any of the AXEL Loan Documents
or as to the use of the proceeds of the AXELs or as to the existence or possible
existence  of any Event of  Default  or  Potential  Event of  Default.  Anything
contained  in this  Agreement to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  Administrative
Agent shall not have any liability  arising from  confirmations of the amount of
outstanding AXELs.

         C. EXCULPATORY  PROVISIONS.  None of Agents nor any of their respective
officers,  partners,  directors,  employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders
for any action taken or omitted by any Agent under or in connection  with any of
the AXEL Loan  Documents  except to the  extent  caused  by such  Agent's  gross
negligence or willful  misconduct.  Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from
any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in
connection  with this  Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents or from the
exercise  of any  power,  discretion  or  authority  vested in it  hereunder  or
thereunder  unless and until such Agent  shall  have  received  instructions  in
respect thereof from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required
to give such  instructions  under  subsection  9.6) and,  upon  receipt  of such
instructions from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be),
such  Agent  shall be  entitled  to act or (where so  instructed)  refrain  from
acting, or to exercise such power,  discretion or authority,  in accordance with
such  instructions.  Without  prejudice to the generality of the foregoing,  (i)
each Agent shall be entitled to rely,  and shall be fully  protected in relying,
upon any communication,  instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and
correct  and to have been signed or sent by the proper  person or  persons,  and
shall be entitled  to rely and shall be  protected  in relying on  opinions  and
judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for Company and its  Subsidiaries),
accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no
Lender shall have any right of action  whatsoever  against any Agent as a result
of such Agent acting or (where so instructed)  refraining from acting under this
Agreement  or any of the  other  AXEL  Loan  Documents  in  accordance  with the
instructions  of Requisite  Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to
give such instructions under subsection 9.6).

         D. AGENT ENTITLED TO ACT AS LENDER.  The agency hereby created shall in
no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or
obligations  upon, any Agent in its individual  capacity as a Lender  hereunder.
With respect to its  participation in the AXELs,  each Agent shall have the same
rights and powers  hereunder  as any other  Lender and may  exercise the same as
though  it  were  not  performing  the  duties  and  functions  delegated  to it
hereunder,  and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" or any similar term shall, unless
the context clearly  otherwise  indicates,  include each Agent in its individual
capacity.  Any Agent and its Affiliates may accept  deposits from, lend money to
and generally engage in any kind of banking,  trust, financial advisory or other
business with Company or any of its  Affiliates as if it were not performing the
duties  specified  herein,  and 


                                      116
<PAGE>

may accept fees and other  consideration from Company for services in connection
with this  Agreement  and  otherwise  without  having to account for the same to
Lenders.

8.3      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPRAISAL OF 
         CREDITWORTHINESS.

         Each  Lender   represents  and  warrants  that  it  has  made  its  own
independent  investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
its  Subsidiaries  in connection with the making of the AXELs hereunder and that
it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness
of Company and its Subsidiaries. No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility,
either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any
such  appraisal on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or
other  information  with respect  thereto,  whether  coming into its  possession
before the making of the AXELs or at any time or times thereafter,  and no Agent
shall  have  any  responsibility   with  respect  to  the  accuracy  of  or  the
completeness of any information provided to Lenders.

8.4      RIGHT TO INDEMNITY.

         Each Lender,  in proportion to its Pro Rata Share,  severally agrees to
indemnify  each  Agent,  to the  extent  that  such  Agent  shall  not have been
reimbursed  by Company,  for and against any and all  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,   penalties,   actions,   judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses
(including  counsel  fees and  disbursements)  or  disbursements  of any kind or
nature  whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such
Agent in exercising  its powers,  rights and remedies or  performing  its duties
hereunder or under the other AXEL Loan Documents or otherwise in its capacity as
such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this  Agreement or the other
AXEL Loan Documents;  provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of
such liabilities,  obligations,  losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits,  costs,  expenses or  disbursements  resulting  from such  Agent's  gross
negligence   or  willful   misconduct   and  provided   further  that  any  such
indemnification  of the  Collateral  Agent  shall be on the terms  described  in
section 6(c) of the Intercreditor  Agreement.  If any indemnity furnished to any
Agent for any purpose shall,  in the opinion of such Agent,  be  insufficient or
become impaired,  such Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not
commence,  to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is
furnished (excluding any indemnity for its gross negligence or will misconduct).

8.5      SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

                  SUCCESSOR  ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT.   Administrative  Agent  may
resign at any time by giving 30 days' prior  written  notice  thereof to Lenders
and Company, and Administrative Agent may be removed at any time with or without
cause by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing delivered to Company
and Administrative  Agent and signed by Requisite Lenders.  Upon any such notice
of resignation or any such removal, 


                                      117
<PAGE>

Requisite  Lenders  shall have the right,  upon five  Business  Days'  notice to
Company,  to  appoint  a  successor   Administrative   Agent.  If  no  successor
Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by Requisite Lenders and shall
have accepted such appointment  within 30 days after the notice of the intent of
the Administrative Agent to resign, then the retiring  Administrative Agent may,
on behalf of the Lenders,  appoint a successor  Administrative  Agent.  Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as  Administrative  Agent hereunder by a successor
Administrative  Agent,  that  successor  Administrative  Agent  shall  thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,  privileges and duties
of the  retiring  or removed  Administrative  Agent and the  retiring or removed
Administrative  Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations  under
this Agreement. After any retiring or removed Administrative Agent's resignation
or removal hereunder as  Administrative  Agent, the provisions of this Section 8
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it
while it was Agent under this Agreement.

8.6      COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS AND GUARANTIES.

         Each Lender hereby further authorizes  Administrative  Agent, on behalf
of and for the benefit of Lenders, to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and
to appoint the Collateral  Agent thereunder as agent for and  representative  of
Lenders. Under the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Agent is
authorized to enter into each Collateral Document as secured party and to be the
agent for and  representative of Secured Parties under the Subsidiary  Guaranty,
and each Lender agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor  Agreement,
each Collateral Document and the Subsidiary Guaranty. Administrative Agent shall
not enter into or consent to any material amendment, modification or termination
of the Intercreditor  Agreement without the prior consent of Requisite  Lenders.
Each Lender  acknowledges  that under the terms of the  Intercreditor  Agreement
without further written consent or authorization from Lenders,  Collateral Agent
may execute  any  documents  or  instruments  necessary  to (a) release any Lien
encumbering  any  item of  Collateral  that is the  subject  of a sale or  other
disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement or to which Requisite  Lenders
have  otherwise  consented  or (b) release  any  Subsidiary  Guarantor  from the
Subsidiary Guaranty if all of the capital stock of such Subsidiary  Guarantor is
sold to any Person  (other than an Affiliate  of Company)  pursuant to a sale or
other disposition  permitted  hereunder or to which Requisite Lenders or Lenders
(as applicable) have otherwise consented.  Anything contained in any of the AXEL
Loan Documents to the contrary  notwithstanding,  Company,  Administrative Agent
and  each  Lender  hereby  agree  that  (X)  no  Lender  shall  have  any  right
individually to realize upon any of the Collateral under any Collateral Document
or to enforce the Subsidiary  Guaranty,  it being understood and agreed that all
powers,  rights and remedies under the  Collateral  Documents and the Subsidiary
Guaranty may be exercised  solely by Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured
Parties  in  accordance  with  the  terms  thereof,  and (Y) in the  event  of a
foreclosure by Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or
private sale,  Collateral Agent or any Secured Party may be the purchaser of any
or all of such  Collateral at any such sale and Collateral  Agent,  as agent for
and  representative  of Secured  Parties  (but not any Secured  Party or Secured
Parties  in its or  their  respective  individual  capacities  


                                      118
<PAGE>

unless  Requisite  Lenders shall  otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled,
for the  purpose of bidding  and making  settlement  or payment of the  purchase
price for all or any portion of the Collateral  sold at any such public sale, to
use and apply any of the  Obligations  as a credit on  account  of the  purchase
price for any collateral  payable by Collateral  Agent at such sale. The Lenders
each further acknowledge and agree that pursuant to the Intercreditor  Agreement
and the Collateral Documents,  Collateral Agent will act as the fonde de pouvoir
(holder  of the power of  attorney)  of the  holders  from time to time of Notes
issued pursuant hereto to the extent  necessary or desirable for the purposes of
creating,   maintaining  or  enforcing  any  Liens  or  guarantees   created  or
established under any Collateral  Documents  contemplated  hereby to be executed
under the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada including, without limiting the
generality of the  foregoing,  entering into any such  Collateral  Documents and
exercising all or any of the rights, powers, trusts or duties conferred upon the
Collateral Agent therein and in the  Intercreditor  Agreement and each holder of
Notes by receiving and holding same accepts and confirms the  appointment of the
Collateral  Agent as fonde de pouvoir  (holder of the power of attorney) of such
holder for such purposes.


                                   SECTION 9.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

9.1      ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS IN AXELS.

         A.  GENERAL.  Subject to  subsection  9.1B,  each Lender shall have the
right at any time to (i) sell, assign or transfer to any Eligible  Assignee,  or
(ii)  sell  participations  to  any  Person  in,  all or any  part  of its  AXEL
Commitments or the AXEL or AXELs made by it or any other  interest  herein or in
any  other  Obligations  owed to it;  provided  that no such  sale,  assignment,
transfer or participation shall, without the consent of Company, require Company
to file a registration  statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
apply to qualify  such sale,  assignment,  transfer or  participation  under the
securities laws of any state; provided, further that no such sale, assignment or
transfer  described in clause (i) above shall be  effective  unless and until an
Assignment Agreement effecting such sale, assignment or transfer shall have been
accepted by  Administrative  Agent and  recorded in the  Register as provided in
subsection  9.1B(ii).  Except as otherwise  provided in this  subsection 9.1, no
Lender  shall,  as between  Company and such  Lender,  be relieved of any of its
obligations hereunder as a result of any sale, assignment or transfer of, or any
granting of  participations  in, all or any part of its AXEL  Commitments or the
AXELs, or the other Obligations owed to such Lender.

         B.       ASSIGNMENTS.

                  (i) Amounts and Terms of  Assignments.  Each AXEL  Commitment,
         AXEL or other  Obligation  may (a) be assigned in any amount to another
         Lender, or to an Affiliate or a Related Fund of the assigning Lender or
         another Lender, with 


                                      119
<PAGE>

         the giving of notice to Company,  Syndication Agent and  Administrative
         Agent or (b) be  assigned  in an  aggregate  amount  of not  less  than
         $5,000,000  (or such lesser  amount as shall  constitute  the aggregate
         amount of the AXEL  Commitments,  AXEL,  and other  Obligations  of the
         assigning  Lender) to any other  Eligible  Assignee  with the giving of
         notice to  Company  and with the  consent of  Administrative  Agent and
         Syndication Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld or
         delayed).  To the  extent of any such  assignment  in  accordance  with
         either clause (a) or (b) above,  the assigning Lender shall be relieved
         of its  obligations  with respect to its AXEL  Commitments,  AXELs,  or
         other  Obligations or the portion  thereof so assigned.  The parties to
         each such assignment shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent,
         for  its  acceptance  and  recording  in the  Register,  an  Assignment
         Agreement,  together with a processing and  recordation  fee of $500 if
         such assignment is to another Lender or an Affiliate or Related Fund of
         the assigning  Lender,  or $2,000,  if such  assignment is to any other
         Eligible Assignee,  and such forms,  certificates or other evidence, if
         any,  with  respect to United  States  federal  income tax  withholding
         matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required
         to deliver to Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a).
         Upon such execution,  delivery,  acceptance and  recordation,  from and
         after the effective date specified in such  Assignment  Agreement,  (y)
         the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that
         rights and  obligations  hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to
         such Assignment  Agreement,  shall have the rights and obligations of a
         Lender hereunder and (z) the assigning Lender  thereunder shall, to the
         extent that rights and  obligations  hereunder have been assigned by it
         pursuant to such  Assignment  Agreement,  relinquish  its rights (other
         than any rights which survive the  termination of this Agreement  under
         subsection  9.9B)  and be  released  from its  obligations  under  this
         Agreement and, in the case of an Assignment  Agreement  covering all or
         the remaining  portion of an assigning  Lender's rights and obligations
         under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto. The
         AXEL  Commitments  hereunder  shall be  modified  to  reflect  the AXEL
         Commitment of such assignee and any remaining  AXEL  Commitment of such
         assigning Lender and, if any such assignment  occurs after the issuance
         of the AXEL Notes  hereunder,  the  assigning  Lender  shall,  upon the
         effectiveness   of  such  assignment  or  as  promptly   thereafter  as
         practicable,  surrender  its  applicable  AXEL Notes to  Administrative
         Agent for cancellation, and thereupon new AXEL Notes shall be issued to
         the assignee and/or to the assigning Lender,  substantially in the form
         of Exhibit III annexed hereto with appropriate  insertions,  to reflect
         the new AXEL Commitments  and/or outstanding AXELs, the case may be, of
         the assignee and/or the assigning Lender.

                  (ii)  Acceptance  by  Administrative  Agent;   Recordation  in
         Register.  Upon its receipt of an Assignment  Agreement  executed by an
         assigning  Lender and an assignee  representing  that it is an Eligible
         Assignee,  together with the processing and recordation fee referred to
         in subsection  9.1B(i) and any forms,  certificates  or other  evidence
         with respect to United States  federal income tax  withholding  matters
         that 


                                      120
<PAGE>

         such  assignee  may be  required  to  deliver to  Administrative  Agent
         pursuant to subsection  2.7B(iii)(a),  Administrative  Agent shall,  if
         Administrative  Agent has consented to the assignment evidenced thereby
         (to  the  extent  such  consent  is  required  pursuant  to  subsection
         9.1B(i)),   (a)  accept  such  Assignment   Agreement  by  executing  a
         counterpart   thereof  as  provided  therein  (which  acceptance  shall
         evidence  any  required  consent  of   Administrative   Agent  to  such
         assignment),  (b)  record  the  information  contained  therein  in the
         Register, and (c) give prompt notice thereof to Company. Administrative
         Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment  Agreement  delivered to
         and accepted by it as provided in this subsection 9.1B(ii).

         C.  PARTICIPATIONS.  The  holder of any  participation,  other  than an
Affiliate of the Lender  granting such  participation,  shall not be entitled to
require such Lender to take or omit to take any action  hereunder  except action
directly affecting (i) the extension of the regularly  scheduled maturity of any
portion of the  principal  amount of or interest on any AXEL  allocated  to such
participation  or (ii) a  reduction  of the  principal  amount of or the rate of
interest  payable on any AXEL allocated to such  participation,  and all amounts
payable by Company hereunder  (including amounts payable to such Lender pursuant
to subsections  2.6D and 2.7) shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold
such  participation.  Company and each Lender hereby acknowledge and agree that,
solely for purposes of subsections 9.4 and 9.5, (a) any participation  will give
rise  to a  direct  obligation  of  Company  to  the  participant  and  (b)  the
participant shall be considered to be a "Lender".

         D. ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS. In addition to the assignments
and participations  permitted under the foregoing  provisions of this subsection
9.1, any Lender may assign and pledge all or any portion of its AXELs, the other
Obligations owed to such Lender,  and its AXEL Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank
as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve
Bank;  provided that (i) no Lender shall, as between Company and such Lender, be
relieved of any of its obligations  hereunder as a result of any such assignment
and pledge and (ii) in no event shall such Federal Reserve Bank be considered to
be a "Lender" or be entitled to require the assigning  Lender to take or omit to
take any action hereunder.

         E.  INFORMATION.  Each Lender may furnish  any  information  concerning
Company and its  Subsidiaries in the possession of that Lender from time to time
to   assignees   and   participants   (including   prospective   assignees   and
participants), subject to subsection 9.19.

         F.  REPRESENTATIONS  OF LENDERS.  Each Lender  listed on the  signature
pages hereof hereby  represents and warrants (i) that it is an Eligible Assignee
described in clause (A) of the definition  thereof;  (ii) that it has experience
and  expertise  in the making of or  investing  in loans such as the AXELs;  and
(iii) that it will make its AXELs for its own account in the ordinary  course of
its business and without a view to distribution of such AXELs within the meaning
of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal  securities  laws (it
being  understood  that,  subject to the provisions of this  subsection 9.1, the
disposition  of such 


                                      121
<PAGE>

AXELs or any  interests  therein  shall at all times remain within its exclusive
control).  Each Lender that  becomes a party  hereto  pursuant to an  Assignment
Agreement  shall be deemed to agree that the  representations  and warranties of
such  Lender  contained  in  Section  2(c)  of  such  Assignment  Agreement  are
incorporated herein by this reference.

9.2      EXPENSES.

         Whether  or  not  the   transactions   contemplated   hereby  shall  be
consummated,  Company  agrees to pay promptly (i) all the actual and  reasonable
costs and expenses of  preparation  of the AXEL Loan Documents and any consents,
amendments,  waivers  or other  modifications  thereto;  (ii)  all the  costs of
furnishing all opinions by counsel for Company (including any opinions requested
by  Lenders  as to  any  legal  matters  arising  hereunder)  and  of  Company's
performance of and compliance  with all agreements and conditions on its part to
be  performed  or  complied  with under this  Agreement  and the other AXEL Loan
Documents  including with respect to confirming  compliance with  environmental,
insurance and solvency  requirements;  (iii) the reasonable  fees,  expenses and
disbursements  of counsel to Arranger  and counsel to  Administrative  Agent (in
each case including  allocated costs of internal counsel) in connection with the
negotiation,   preparation,  execution  and  administration  of  the  AXEL  Loan
Documents and any consents,  amendments,  waivers or other modifications thereto
and any other  documents or matters  requested  by Company;  (iv) all the actual
costs and  reasonable  expenses of  creating  and  perfecting  Liens in favor of
Collateral  Agent on  behalf  of  Secured  Parties  pursuant  to any  Collateral
Document,  including  filing and recording  fees,  expenses and taxes,  stamp or
documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance  premiums,  and reasonable fees,
expenses and  disbursements of counsel to Arranger and counsel to Administrative
Agent and of counsel providing any opinions that Arranger,  Administrative Agent
or Requisite  Lenders may request in respect of the Collateral  Documents or the
Liens created pursuant thereto; (v) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses
(including  the reasonable  fees,  expenses and  disbursements  of any auditors,
accountants or appraisers and any environmental or other  consultants,  advisors
and agents  employed  or retained by  Administrative  Agent or Arranger  and its
counsel) of obtaining and reviewing any appraisals provided for under subsection
3.1J or 5.9C, any environmental  audits or reports provided for under subsection
3.1K or 5.9B(viii) and any reports  provided for under subsection 3.1L; (vi) all
the  actual  costs and  reasonable  expenses  (including  the  reasonable  fees,
expenses and  disbursements of any consultants,  advisors and agents employed or
retained by Administrative Agent and its counsel) in connection with the custody
or preservation of any of the Collateral;  (vii) all other actual and reasonable
costs and expenses  incurred by Syndication  Agent,  Arranger or  Administrative
Agent  in  connection  with the  syndication  of the  AXEL  Commitments  and the
negotiation,  preparation  and  execution  of the AXEL  Loan  Documents  and any
consents,   amendments,   waivers  or  other   modifications   thereto  and  the
transactions  contemplated  thereby; and (viii) after the occurrence of an Event
of  Default,  all costs  and  expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees
(including  allocated  costs of  internal  counsel)  and  costs  of  settlement,
incurred  by  Arranger,  Administrative  Agent  and  Lenders  in  enforcing  any
Obligations of or in collecting  any payments due from any Loan Party  hereunder
or under  the other  AXEL Loan  


                                      122
<PAGE>

Documents by reason of such Event of Default  (including in connection  with the
sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the
enforcement of the Subsidiary Guaranty) or in connection with any refinancing or
restructuring  of the credit  arrangements  provided under this Agreement in the
nature of a "work-out" or pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.

9.3      INDEMNITY.

         In  addition to the payment of  expenses  pursuant to  subsection  9.2,
whether  or not the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall  be  consummated,
Company  agrees  to defend  (subject  to  Indemnitees'  selection  of  counsel),
indemnify, pay and hold harmless Agents and Lenders, and the officers, partners,
directors,  employees,  agents  and  affiliates  of any of  Agents  and  Lenders
(collectively   called  the  "INDEMNITEES"),   from  and  against  any  and  all
Indemnified  Liabilities (as hereinafter  defined);  provided that Company shall
not  have  any  obligation  to any  Indemnitee  hereunder  with  respect  to any
Indemnified  Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise solely
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of that Indemnitee as determined
by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

         As used herein, "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" means, collectively,  any and
all  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages  (including  natural  resource
damages),  penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims (including Environmental
Claims),  costs  (including  the costs of any  investigation,  study,  sampling,
testing,  abatement,  cleanup,  removal,  remediation or other  response  action
necessary  to  remove,  remediate,  clean up or abate  any  Hazardous  Materials
Activity),   expenses  and  disbursements  of  any  kind  or  nature  whatsoever
(including the reasonable fees and  disbursements  of counsel for Indemnitees in
connection  with  any  investigative,   administrative  or  judicial  proceeding
commenced or threatened by any Person,  whether or not any such Indemnitee shall
be designated as a party or a potential party thereto,  and any fees or expenses
incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity),  whether direct,  indirect
or  consequential  and  whether  based on any  federal,  state or foreign  laws,
statutes,  rules or  regulations  (including  securities  and  commercial  laws,
statutes,  rules or  regulations  and  Environmental  Laws),  on  common  law or
equitable  cause or on contract or otherwise,  that may be imposed on,  incurred
by, or  asserted  against  any such  Indemnitee,  in any manner  relating  to or
arising  out of (i) this  Agreement  or the  other  AXEL Loan  Documents  or the
Related Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including
Lenders' agreement to make the AXELs hereunder or the use or intended use of the
proceeds thereof or any enforcement of any of the AXEL Loan Documents (including
any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or
the enforcement of the Subsidiary  Guaranty)),  (ii) the statements contained in
the commitment  letter  delivered by any Lender to Company with respect thereto,
or (iii) any Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to
or  arising  from,  directly  or  indirectly,  any  past  or  present  activity,
operation, land ownership, or practice of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

                                      123
<PAGE>

         To the extent that the undertakings to defend,  indemnify, pay and hold
harmless set forth in this  subsection 9.3 may be  unenforceable  in whole or in
part  because  they are  violative of any law or public  policy,  Company  shall
contribute  the maximum  portion that it is  permitted to pay and satisfy  under
applicable law to the payment and  satisfaction of all  Indemnified  Liabilities
incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

9.4      SET-OFF; SECURITY INTEREST IN DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.

         In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law
and not by way of  limitation  of any such rights,  upon the  occurrence  of any
Event of Default each Lender is hereby authorized by Company at any time or from
time to time, subject to the consent of Administrative  Agent, without notice to
Company or to any other  Person  (other  than  Administrative  Agent),  any such
notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply
any and all deposits (general or special,  including  Indebtedness  evidenced by
certificates of deposit,  whether matured or unmatured,  but not including trust
accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by that Lender to
or for the  credit or the  account  of  Company  against  and on  account of the
obligations and liabilities of Company to that Lender under this Agreement,  and
the other AXEL Loan Documents, including all claims of any nature or description
arising  out of or  connected  with  this  Agreement  any other  Loan  Document,
irrespective  of  whether  or not (i) that  Lender  shall  have made any  demand
hereunder  or (ii) the  principal  of or the  interest on the AXELs or any other
amounts due  hereunder  shall have become due and payable  pursuant to Section 7
and although said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent
or unmatured.  Company hereby further grants to Collateral Agent and each Lender
a security interest in all deposits and accounts  maintained with Administrative
Agent or such Lender as security for the Obligations.

9.5      RATABLE SHARING.

         Lenders  hereby  agree  among  themselves  that if any of  them  shall,
whether by voluntary  payment  (other than a voluntary  prepayment of AXELs made
and applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), by realization upon
security,  through the  exercise of any right of set-off or  banker's  lien,  by
counterclaim  or cross action or by the  enforcement of any right under the AXEL
Loan Documents or otherwise,  or as adequate  protection of a deposit treated as
cash  collateral  under the Bankruptcy  Code,  receive payment or reduction of a
proportion of the aggregate  amount of principal,  interest,  amounts payable in
respect of, fees and other  amounts then due and owing to that Lender  hereunder
or under the other AXEL Loan Documents  (collectively,  the  "AGGREGATE  AMOUNTS
DUE" to such Lender) which is greater than the proportion  received by any other
Lender in respect of the Aggregate  Amounts Due to such other  Lender,  then the
Lender  receiving  such   proportionately   greater  payment  shall  (i)  notify
Administrative  Agent and each other  Lender of the receipt of such  payment and
(ii) apply a portion of such payment to purchase  participations (which it shall
be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a  participation  simultaneously
upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) 


                                      124
<PAGE>

in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of
Aggregate  Amounts  Due shall be  shared by all  Lenders  in  proportion  to the
Aggregate  Amounts  Due  to  them;   provided  that  if  all  or  part  of  such
proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter
recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or  reorganization  of Company or
otherwise,  those  purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for
such  participations  shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the
extent of such recovery, but without interest. Company expressly consents to the
foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased
may exercise any and all rights of banker's lien,  set-off or counterclaim  with
respect to any and all  monies  owing by Company  to that  holder  with  respect
thereto as fully as if that  holder  were owed the  amount of the  participation
held by that holder.

9.6      AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.

         A. No amendment,  modification,  termination or waiver of any provision
of the  AXEL  Loan  Documents,  or  consent  to  any  departure  by the  Company
therefrom,  shall in any event be effective  without the written  concurrence of
Requisite Lenders; provided that no such amendment,  modification,  termination,
waiver or consent  shall,  without the consent of each Lender (with  Obligations
directly  affected  in the case of the  following  clause  (i)):  (i) extend the
scheduled  final  maturity  of any AXEL,  or extend  the due date or reduce  the
amount of any scheduled principal payment in respect of any AXELs, or reduce the
rate of  interest  on any AXEL  (other  than any waiver of any  increase  in the
interest  rate  applicable  to any  AXEL  pursuant  to  subsection  2.2E) or any
commitment  fees payable  hereunder,  or extend the time for payment of any such
interest  or fees,  or reduce  the  principal  amount of any AXEL,  (ii)  amend,
modify,  terminate or waive any provision of this  subsection  9.6, (iii) reduce
the  percentage  specified in the  definition of  "Requisite  Lenders" (it being
understood that, with the consent of Requisite Lenders, additional extensions of
credit  pursuant  to this  Agreement  may be included  in the  determination  of
"Requisite  Lenders" on substantially the same basis as the AXEL Commitments and
the AXELs (as such terms are defined in the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement) are
included on the Closing Date), (iv) consent to the assignment or transfer by the
Company of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or (v) release
all or substantially all the Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral  Documents
(including Liens on real property) or release any Subsidiary from the Subsidiary
Guaranty if such release would constitute a release of all or substantially  all
of the  Collateral;  provided,  further  that no such  amendment,  modification,
termination or waiver shall (1) increase the Additional  AXEL  Commitment of any
Lender over the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such Lender
(it being understood that no amendment,  modification or waiver of any condition
precedent,  covenant,  Potential  Event of  Default  or Event of  Default  shall
constitute an increase in the Additional AXEL Commitment of any Lender, and that
no increase in the available  portion of the Additional  AXEL  Commitment of any
Lender shall  constitute an increase in such  Additional AXEL Commitment of such
Lender); or (2) amend, modify,  terminate or waive any provision of Section 8 as
the same applies to any Agent,  or any other  provision of this 


                                      125
<PAGE>

Agreement as the same applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each
case without the consent of such Agent.

         B. Administrative  Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the
concurrence  of  any  Lender,  execute  amendments,  modifications,  waivers  or
consents on behalf of that Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No
notice to or demand on the  Company  in any case  shall  entitle  Company to any
other or  further  notice or  demand  in  similar  or other  circumstances.  Any
amendment,  modification,  termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance
with  this  subsection  9.6  shall  be  binding  upon  each  Lender  at the time
outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by Company, the Company.

9.7      INDEPENDENCE OF COVENANTS.

         All covenants  hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a
particular  action or condition is not permitted by any of such  covenants,  the
fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within
the limitations of, another  covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event
of Default or  Potential  Event of Default if such action is taken or  condition
exists.

9.8      NOTICES.

         Unless  otherwise  specifically  provided  herein,  any notice or other
communication  herein  required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail
or courier  service  and shall be deemed to have been given  when  delivered  in
person or by courier  service,  upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three
Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid
and properly addressed; provided that notices to Arranger,  Syndication Agent or
Administrative  Agent shall not be effective  until  received.  For the purposes
hereof,  the  address  of each  party  hereto  shall be as set forth  under such
party's  name  on  the  signature   pages  hereof  or  (i)  as  to  Company  and
Administrative  Agent,  such other address as shall be designated by such Person
in a written  notice  delivered to the other parties  hereto and (ii) as to each
other  party,  such  other  address  as shall be  designated  by such party in a
written notice delivered to Administrative Agent and Company.

9.9      SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.

         A. All  representations,  warranties and  agreements  made herein shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the AXELs
hereunder.

         B. Notwithstanding  anything in this Agreement or implied by law to the
contrary, the agreements of Company set forth in subsections 2.6D, 2.7, 9.2, 9.3
and 9.4 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in subsections 8.2C, 8.4 and 9.5
shall survive the payment of the AXELs, and the termination of this Agreement.

                                      126
<PAGE>

9.10     FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.

         No failure or delay on the part of  Administrative  Agent or any Lender
in the exercise of any power,  right or  privilege  hereunder or under any other
AXEL Loan Document  shall impair such power,  right or privilege or be construed
to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence  therein,  nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further
exercise  thereof  or of any other  power,  right or  privilege.  All rights and
remedies  existing  under  this  Agreement  and the  other  Loan  Documents  are
cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

9.11     MARSHALLING; PAYMENTS SET ASIDE.

         Neither  Administrative  Agent  nor  any  Lender  shall  be  under  any
obligation  to marshal  any  assets in favor of  Company  or any other  party or
against  or in  payment of any or all of the  Obligations.  To the  extent  that
Company  makes a payment or payments to  Administrative  Agent or Lenders (or to
Administrative  Agent for the benefit of Lenders),  or  Administrative  Agent or
Lenders enforce any security  interests or exercise their rights of setoff,  and
such  payment or payments or the proceeds of such  enforcement  or setoff or any
part  thereof  are  subsequently  invalidated,  declared  to  be  fraudulent  or
preferential,  set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee,  receiver or
any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common
law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation
or part thereof originally  intended to be satisfied,  and all Liens, rights and
remedies  therefor or related  thereto,  shall be revived and  continued in full
force  and  effect  as if such  payment  or  payments  had not been made or such
enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

9.12     SEVERABILITY.

         In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or the AXEL
Notes  shall be  invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable  in any  jurisdiction,  the
validity,   legality  and   enforceability   of  the  remaining   provisions  or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

9.13     OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL; INDEPENDENT NATURE OF LENDERS' RIGHTS.

         The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall be
responsible  for  the  obligations  or  AXEL  Commitments  of any  other  Lender
hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action
taken by  Lenders  pursuant  hereto or  thereto,  shall be deemed to  constitute
Lenders as a partnership,  an association,  a joint venture or any other kind of
entity.  The amounts  payable at any time  hereunder  to each Lender  shall be a
separate and independent  debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and
enforce its rights  arising out of this  Agreement and it shall not be necessary
for any other Lender to be joined as an additional  party in any  proceeding for
such purpose.

                                      127
<PAGE>

9.14     HEADINGS.

         Section and subsection  headings in this Agreement are included  herein
for  convenience  of  reference  only and  shall not  constitute  a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

9.15     APPLICABLE LAW.

         THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES  HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED  AND ENFORCED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,
THE  INTERNAL  LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK  (INCLUDING  SECTION  5-1401 OF THE
GENERAL  OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK),  WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

9.16     SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         This  Agreement  shall be  binding  upon the  parties  hereto and their
respective  successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and the  successors  and  assigns of Lenders  (it being  understood  that
Lenders' rights of assignment are subject to subsection 9.1).  Neither Company's
rights or  obligations  hereunder  nor any  interest  therein may be assigned or
delegated by Company without the prior written consent of all Lenders.

9.17     CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.

         ALL JUDICIAL  PROCEEDINGS  BROUGHT  AGAINST  COMPANY  ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING  TO THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OTHER  LOAN  DOCUMENT,  OR ANY  OBLIGATIONS
THEREUNDER,  MAY  BE  BROUGHT  IN  ANY  STATE  OR  FEDERAL  COURT  OF  COMPETENT
JURISDICTION  IN THE  STATE,  COUNTY  AND CITY OF NEW  YORK.  BY  EXECUTING  AND
DELIVERING  THIS  AGREEMENT,  COMPANY,  FOR  ITSELF AND IN  CONNECTION  WITH ITS
PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

                  (I) ACCEPTS  GENERALLY AND  UNCONDITIONALLY  THE  NONEXCLUSIVE
         JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;
         
                  (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

                  (III)   AGREES  THAT  SERVICE  OF  ALL  PROCESS  IN  ANY  SUCH
         PROCEEDING  IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY  REGISTERED  OR  CERTIFIED
         MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT  REQUESTED,  TO COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN
         ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION 9.8;

                                      128
<PAGE>

                  (IV) AGREES THAT  SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
         SUFFICIENT  TO CONFER  PERSONAL  JURISDICTION  OVER COMPANY IN ANY SUCH
         PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE  CONSTITUTES  EFFECTIVE AND
         BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

                  (V) AGREES THAT LENDERS  RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE  PROCESS IN
         ANY  OTHER  MANNER  PERMITTED  BY LAW OR TO BRING  PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST
         COMPANY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

                  (VI)  AGREES  THAT  THE  PROVISIONS  OF THIS  SUBSECTION  9.17
         RELATING TO JURISDICTION  AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO
         THE FULLEST EXTENT  PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL  OBLIGATIONS LAW
         SECTION 5-1402 OR OTHERWISE.

9.18     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

         EACH OF THE  PARTIES  TO THIS  AGREEMENT  HEREBY  AGREES  TO WAIVE  ITS
RESPECTIVE  RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OF THE OTHER AXEL LOAN  DOCUMENTS  OR ANY
DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR
THE  LENDER/BORROWER  RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED.  The scope of this
waiver is intended to be  all-encompassing  of any and all disputes  that may be
filed in any court and that  relate to the subject  matter of this  transaction,
including  contract  claims,  tort  claims,  breach of duty claims and all other
common law and statutory claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver
is a material  inducement to enter into a business  relationship,  that each has
already  relied on this waiver in entering  into this  Agreement,  and that each
will  continue to rely on this waiver in their  related  future  dealings.  Each
party hereto further  warrants and  represents  that it has reviewed this waiver
with its legal  counsel and that it knowingly  and  voluntarily  waives its jury
trial  rights  following   consultation  with  legal  counsel.  THIS  WAIVER  IS
IRREVOCABLE,  MEANING  THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED  EITHER  ORALLY OR IN WRITING
(OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SUBSECTION
9.18 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO
ANY  SUBSEQUENT  AMENDMENTS,  RENEWALS,  SUPPLEMENTS  OR  MODIFICATIONS  TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER AXEL LOAN  DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER  DOCUMENTS OR
AGREEMENTS  RELATING  TO  THE  OBLIGATIONS  MADE  HEREUNDER.  In  the  event  of
litigation,  this Agreement may be filed as a written  consent to a trial by the
court.


                                      129
<PAGE>

9.19     CONFIDENTIALITY.

         Each Lender shall hold all non-public  information obtained pursuant to
the  requirements of this Agreement in accordance  with such Lender's  customary
procedures  for  handling  confidential   information  of  this  nature  and  in
accordance  with safe and sound banking  practices  (and any Lender without such
customary  procedures  agrees to keep such information  confidential),  it being
understood and agreed by Company that in any event a Lender may make disclosures
to Affiliates or Related Funds of such Lender or disclosures reasonably required
by any bona fide  assignee,  transferee or  participant  in connection  with the
contemplated assignment or transfer by such Lender of any AXELs (so long as such
Persons agree in advance in writing to keep such  information  confidential)  or
disclosures  required or requested by any governmental  agency or representative
thereof  or  pursuant  to legal  process;  provided  that,  unless  specifically
prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender shall notify Company of
any request by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any
such  request  in  connection  with  any  examination  of  such  Lender  by such
governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non-public  information prior to
disclosure of such information; and provided, further that in no event shall any
Lender be obligated or required to return any materials  furnished by Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.

9.20     COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.

         This  Agreement and any  amendments,  waivers,  consents or supplements
hereto or in connection  herewith may be executed in any number of  counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,  each of which when so
executed and delivered  shall be deemed an original,  but all such  counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same  instrument;  signature pages may
be  detached  from  multiple  separate  counterparts  and  attached  to a single
counterpart  so that all  signature  pages are  physically  attached to the same
document.

         It is the  intention  of each of the parties  hereto that the  Existing
AXEL Credit  Agreement be amended and restated so as to preserve the  perfection
and priority of all security  interests  securing  indebtedness  and obligations
under the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents and that
all indebtedness  and obligations of Company and its Subsidiaries  hereunder and
thereunder shall be secured by the Collateral  Documents and that this Agreement
shall not  constitute a novation of the  obligations  and  liabilities  existing
under the Existing AXEL Credit  Agreement or be deemed to evidence or constitute
repayment  of all or any portion of any such  obligations  or  liabilities.  The
parties hereto further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement  constitutes an
amendment  of the  Existing  AXEL  Credit  Agreement  made  under  the  terms of
subsection 9.6 thereof.

         This  Agreement  shall  become   effective  upon  the  execution  of  a
counterpart  hereof by Company,  Administrative  Agent,  Arranger and  Requisite
Lenders  (as such term is defined in the  Existing  AXEL Credit  Agreement)  and
receipt  by  Company  and   


                                      130
<PAGE>

Administrative Agent of written or telephonic notification of such execution and
authorization of delivery  thereof;  provided that,  unless and until all of the
conditions set forth in subsections 3.1 and 3.2 have been satisfied or waived in
accordance  with  subsection  9.6 of the  Existing  AXEL Credit  Agreement,  the
Existing  AXEL Credit  Agreement  shall remain in full force and effect  without
giving effect to the amendments  set forth herein,  all as if this Agreement had
never been executed and delivered.



                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]















                                      131
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement  to be duly  executed  and  delivered  by  their  respective  officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

                  COMPANY:
                                    AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.



                                    By:/s/ James Harrison
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Harrison
                                       Title: President

                                    Notice Address:

                                    Amscan Holdings, Inc.
                                    80 Grasslands Road
                                    Elmsford, New York 10523
                                    Attention: James M. Harrison
                                    Telecopy: (914) 345-2056









                                      S-1
<PAGE>


                  AGENTS AND LENDERS:

                                    GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.
                                    individually and as Arranger
                                    and Syndication Agent



                                    By:/s/
                                       ------------------------------------
                                             Authorized Signatory


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
                                    16th Floor
                                    85 Broad Street
                                    New York, New York  10004
                                    Attention: Stephen King (Credit)
                                    Telecopy: (212) 902-2417

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
                                    27th Floor
                                    85 Broad Street
                                    New York, New York  10004
                                    Attention: Kathy King (Operations)
                                    Telecopy: (212) 902-3757







                                      S-2
<PAGE>


                                    FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                    as Administrative Agent



                                    By:/s/ Stephen Curran
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Name:  Stephen Curran
                                       Title: AVP

                                    Notice Address:

                                    Fleet National Bank
                                    One Federal Street, 5th Floor
                                    Mail Stop MAOFD05P
                                    Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                    Attention:  John Mann
                                    Telecopy: (617) 346-4682

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Fleet National Bank
                                    One Federal Street, 3rd Floor
                                    Mail Stop MAOFD03C
                                    Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                    Attention:  Steve Curran
                                    Telecopy: (617) 346-5093






                                      S-3
<PAGE>

                                    GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION


                                    By:/s/ Murry Stegelmann
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Murry Stegelmann
                                       Title: Duly Authorized Signatory

                                    Notice Address:

                                    General Electric Capital Corporation
                                    201 High Ridge Road
                                    Stamford, Connecticut 06927-5100
                                    Attention: Joseph Badini,
                                                  Associate
                                    Telecopy: (203) 316-7978

                                    With a copy to:

                                    General Electric Capital Corporation
                                    201 High Ridge Road
                                    Stamford, Connecticut 06927-5100
                                    Attention: Janet K. Williams,
                                                    Senior Vice President
                                    Telecopy: (203) 316-7978













                                      S-4
<PAGE>

                                    SOUTHERN PACIFIC BANK



                                    By:/s/ Cheryl A. Wasilewski
                                       -----------------------------------
                                        Name:  Cheryl A. Wasilewski
                                        Title: Vice President


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Southern Pacific Bank
                                    150 South Rodeo Drive, Suite 230
                                    Beverly Hills, CA 90212
                                    Attention: Cheryl Wasilewski
                                    Telecopy: (310) 246-3666














                                      S-5
<PAGE>


                                    TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION



                                    By:/s/ Perry Vavoules
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Perry Vavoules
                                       Title: Senior Vice President


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Transamerica Business Credit Corporation
                                    555 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite C-301
                                    Rye, New York 10580
                                    Attention: Perry Vavoules
                                    Telecopy: (914) 921-0110















                                      S-6
<PAGE>

                                    CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ



                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:



                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                            Notice Address:

                                    Credit Agricole Indosuez
                                    1211 Avenue of the Americas
                                    New York, NY 10036-8701
                                    Attention: Francoise Berthelot/
                                    Isabelle Pradel (Credit)
                                    Telecopy: (212) 278-2254

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Credit Agricole Indosuez
                                    1211 Avenue of the Americas
                                    New York, NY 10036-8701
                                    Attention: Raymond Wright/
                                    Michelle Sciaraffo (Loans)
                                    Telecopy: (212) 278-2502






                                      S-7
<PAGE>

                                   MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR FLOATING
                                   RATE FUND, INC.



                                   By:/s/ John M. Johnson
                                      -------------------------------------
                                      Name:  John M. Johnson
                                      Title: Authorized Signatory


                                   Notice Address:

                                   Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
                                   800 Scudders Mill Road - Area 1B
                                   Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
                                   Attention: John Johnson
                                   Telecopy: (609) 282-2756









                                      S-8
<PAGE>


                                    PILGRIM AMERICA PRIME RATE TRUST
                                    By:   Pilgrim America Investments, Inc.,
                                          its Investment Manager



                                    By:
                                       --------------------------------------
                                       Name:  
                                       Title: 


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust
                                    2 Renaissance Square
                                    40 North Central Avenue
                                    Suite 1200
                                    Phoenix, Arizona 85004-3444
                                    Attention: Howard Tiffen
                                    Telecopy: (602) 417-8327

                                    With a copy to

                                    Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust
                                    2 Renaissance Square
                                    40 North Central Avenue
                                    Suite 1200
                                    Phoenix, Arizona 85004-3444
                                    Attention: Melina Dempsey
                                    Telecopy: (602) 417-8321

                                    With a copy to:

                                    State Street Bank and Trust Company
                                    Alternative Structures Unit
                                    Boston, Massachusetts
                                    Attention: Wayne Elpus
                                    Reference: Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust
                                    Telecopy: (617) 664-5366/5367/5368


                                      S-9
<PAGE>


                                    CRESCENT/MACH I PARTNERS, L.P.
                                    by:   TCW Asset Management Company,
                                          its Investment Manager



                                    By:
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                    Notice Address:

                                    TCW Asset Management Company
                                    200 Park Avenue, Suite 2200
                                    New York, New York 10166-0228
                                    Attention: Mark L. Gold/Justin Driscoll
                                    Telecopy: (212) 297-4159

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Crescent/Mach I Partners, L.P.
                                    c/o State Street Bank & Trust Co.
                                    Two International Place
                                    Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                    Attention: Howie Gorman
                                    Telecopy: (617) 664-5367











                                      S-10
<PAGE>

                                    MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                                    PRIME INCOME TRUST



                                    By:/s/ Sheila A. Finnerty
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Sheila A. Finnerty
                                       Title: Vice President


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                                    Prime Income Trust
                                    c/o Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
                                    2 World Trade Center - 72nd Floor
                                    New York, New York 10048
                                    Attention: Sheila Finnerty (Credit)
                                    Telecopy: (212) 392-5345

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                                    Prime Income Trust
                                    c/o Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
                                    2 World Trade Center - 72nd Floor
                                    New York, New York 10048
                                    Attention: Chris Colman (Administration)
                                    Telecopy: (212) 392-5709









                                      S-11
<PAGE>

                                    BANK OF AMERICA NT & SA



                                    By:
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Francis Griffin
                                       Title:


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Bank of America NT & SA
                                    231 S. LaSalle Street, 19th Floor
                                    Chicago, Illinois 60697
                                    Attention: Chuck Tanskul
                                    Telecopy: (312) 828-5100


















                                      S-12
<PAGE>




                                    CYPRESSTREE INVESTMENT PARTNERS I, LTD.,
                                    By: CypressTree Investment Management
                                            Company, Inc., as Portfolio Manager,
                                            soley in its capacity as an existing
                                              Lender


                                    By:/s/ Philip C. Robbins
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Philip C. Robbins
                                       Title: Principal


                                    Notice Address:

                                    CypressTree Investment Partners I, Ltd.
                                    c/o CypressTree Investment Management 
                                        Company, Inc.
                                    125 High Street
                                    Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                    Attention: Peter Merrill
                                    Telecopy: (617) 946-5681

                                    With a copy to:

                                    CypressTree Investment Partners I, Ltd.
                                    c/o CypressTree Investment Management 
                                        Company, Inc.
                                    125 High Street
                                    Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                    Attention: Paul Thompson
                                    Telecopy: (617) 946-5687



                                      S-13
<PAGE>

                                    KZH CYPRESSTREE-1 LLC



                                    By:/s/ Virgina Conway
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Virgina Conway
                                       Title: Authorized Signatory


                                    Notice Address:

                                    KZH CypressTree-1 LLC
                                    c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                    450 West 33rd Street - 15th Floor
                                    New York, New York 10001
                                    Attention: Virginia Conway
                                    Telecopy: (212) 946-7776

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                                    200 Park Avenue
                                    New York, New York 10166-0193
                                    Attention: Shan McSweeney
                                    Telecopy: (212) 351-4035








                                      S-13-A
<PAGE>

                                    KZH CRESCENT-2 LLC


                                    By:/s/ Virgina Conway                 
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Virgina Conway              
                                       Title: Authorized Signatory

                                    Notice Address:
                                    
                                    KZH CRESCENT-2 LLC
                                    c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                    450 West 33rd Street - 15th Floor
                                    New York, New York 10001
                                    Attention: Virginia Conway
                                    Telecopy: (212) 946-7776

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                                    200 Park Avenue
                                    New York, New York 10166-0193
                                    Attention: Shan McSweeney
                                    Telecopy: (212) 351-4035










                                     S-13-B
<PAGE>


                                    KZH ING-2 LLC



                                    By:/s/ Virgina Conway                 
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Virgina Conway              
                                       Title: Authorized Signatory        
                                    
                                    Notice Address:

                                    KZH ING-2 LLC
                                    c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                    450 West 33rd Street - 15th Floor
                                    New York, New York 10001
                                    Attention: Virginia Conway
                                    Telecopy: (212) 946-7776

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                                    200 Park Avenue
                                    New York, New York 10166-0193
                                    Attention: Shan McSweeney
                                    Telecopy: (212) 351-4035











                                     S-13-C
<PAGE>

                                    SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO



                                    By:/s/ Payson F. Swaffield
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Payson F. Swaffield
                                       Title: Vice President


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Senior Debt Portfolio
                                    c/o Eaton Vance Asset Management
                                    24 Federal Street
                                    Boston, Massachusetts 0211
                                    Attention: Gretchen Bergstresser
                                    Telecopy: (617) 895-9594










                                      S-14
<PAGE>


                                    TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS), INC.



                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc.
                                    909 Fannin street
                                    Suite 1700
                                    Houston, Texas 77010
                                    Attention: David Parker
                                    Telecopy: (713) 652-2647














                                      S-15
<PAGE>


                                    ING CAPITAL ADVISORS



                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                    Notice Address:

                                    ING Capital Advisors
                                    333 South Grand Street
                                    Los Angeles, California 90071
                                    Attention: Beth Digati
                                    Telecopy: (213) 346-3995















                                      S-16
<PAGE>


                                    KZH PAMCO LLC



                                    By:/s/ Virgina Conway                 
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Virgina Conway              
                                       Title: Authorized Agent        
                                    

                                    Notice Address:

                                    KZH Pamco LLC
                                    c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                    450 West 33rd Street - 15th Floor
                                    New York, NY 10001
                                    Attention: Virginia Conway
                                    Telecopy: (212) 946-7776

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Highland Capital Management, L.P.
                                    1150 Two Galleria Tower
                                    13455 Noel Road-DB #45
                                    Dallas, Texas 75240
                                    Attention: Mark Okada
                                    Telecopy: (972) 233-4343





                                      S-17
<PAGE>


                                    WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

                                   
                                    
                                    By:                
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name: 
                                       Title:   


                                    Notice Address:
                                    
                                    Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
                                    6300 Lamer
                                    Overland Park, Kansas 66202
                                    Attention: Jennifer Askins
                                    Telecopy: (913) 236-1801













                                      S-18
<PAGE>


                                    BANKERS TRUST COMPANY



                                    By:/s/ James Reilly
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Name:  James Reilly
                                       Title: Vice President


                                    Notice Address:

                                    Bankers Trust Company
                                    130 Liberty Street
                                    Mailstop 2344
                                    New York, New York 10006
                                    Attention: Jim Reilly
                                    Telecopy: (212) 250-7218
















                                      S-20
<PAGE>


                                    HIGHLAND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.



                                    By:
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                    Notice Address:

                                    Highland Capital Management, L.P.
                                    1150 Two Galleria Tower
                                    13455 Noel Road-DB #45
                                    Dallas, Texas 75240
                                    Attention: Davis Deadman
                                    Telecopy: (972) 233-4343














                                      S-20


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission