COURIER CORP
8-K, 1997-08-05
BOOK PRINTING
Previous: CORNING NATURAL GAS CORP, 10QSB/A, 1997-08-05
Next: AMERICAN GENERAL FINANCE CORP, 8-K, 1997-08-05





                     U.S. 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): July 21, 1997


                               Courier Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as Specified in Charter)



                                  Massachusetts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)



        0-7597                                             04-2502514
- ------------------------                       ---------------------------------
(Commission File Number)                       (IRS Employer Identification No.)


15 Wellman Avenue, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts                    01863-1334
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Office)                               (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:    (508) 251-6000
                                                       --------------

                                 Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


                                        1



ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OF ASSETS.

         On July 21, 1997, the Company  acquired all of the outstanding  capital
stock of Book-mart Press, Inc.  ("Book-mart"),  a North Bergen,  New Jersey book
manufacturer  specializing  in short to medium runs of softcover  and  hardcover
books.  The  Company  paid  approximately  $12.7  million  in cash to the former
stockholders  of Book-mart for their shares of capital stock. At the time of the
closing,   Book-mart  had   approximately   $2.3  million  of  outstanding  bank
indebtedness  which  was  subsequently  paid in  full.  In  connection  with the
acquisition,  11,111  shares of Courier  common stock (based upon a valuation of
$18 per share) were issued to two key  executives of Book-mart  for  non-compete
agreements.  In  addition,  one of such  executives  was  issued  16,667  shares
(subject to a four-year  vesting  schedule)  in  connection  with an  employment
agreement. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly,
the  results  of  operations  will be  included  in the  consolidated  financial
statements from July 21, 1997 forward.

         The purchase price was determined in an  arm's-length  negotiation  and
was financed using the Company's existing credit facility with BankBoston,  N.A.
and State  Street  Bank and Trust  Company.  The  amount  available  under  this
facility was extended  from $20 million to $30 million in  contemplation  of the
transaction.   The   facility  was  also  used  by  the  Company  to  repay  the
approximately  $2.3 million of Book-mart's  existing bank debt subsequent to the
consummation of the acquisition.

         In connection  with the  acquisition,  a long-term  lease agreement for
Book-mart's  facility in New Jersey was executed by  Book-mart.  The lessor is a
corporation  owned by two of the former  stockholders of Book-mart,  one of whom
remains as a key executive of Book-mart.

         It is  intended  that  Book-mart  will  continue  to  operate as a book
manufacturer  specializing  in short to medium runs of softcover  and  hardcover
books.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (a)  Financial Statements of Business Acquired

              The required financial statements for  the acquired business shall
              be filed within 60 days of this filing.

         (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information

              The required pro forma financial information shall be filed within
              60 days of this filing.

         (c)  Exhibits

              See Exhibit Index attached hereto.


                                        2




                                   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.


                                                COURIER CORPORATION
                                                -------------------
                                                    (Registrant)



Date: August 5, 1997                            By: /s/ Robert P. Story, Jr.
      --------------                                --------------------------
                                                    Robert P. Story, Jr.
                                                    Senior Vice President and
                                                      Chief Financial Officer




                                        3





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

         2.1 Stock Purchase  Agreement by and among Courier  Corporation and the
stockholders of Book-mart Press, Inc., dated as of July 21, 1997.





                                        4



                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1
                                                                     -----------

                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT






                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  by and among

                               Courier Corporation
                                  (the "Buyer")

                                       and

                               the stockholders of
                              Book-mart Press, Inc.
                              (the "Stockholders")










                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT







<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                               Page

<C>                                                                                                              <C>
1.       DEFINITIONS..............................................................................................1

2.       SALE AND TRANSFER OF COMPANY SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE;
         CLOSING.................................................................................................13
         2.1      COMPANY SHARES.................................................................................13
         2.2      PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT.....................................................................13
         2.3      TIME AND PLACE OF CLOSING......................................................................13
         2.4      CLOSING OBLIGATIONS............................................................................14
         2.5      TRANSFER TAXES.................................................................................15

3.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS......................................................15
         3.1      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.................................................................16
         3.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT.........................................................................16
         3.3      CAPITALIZATION.................................................................................18
         3.4      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...........................................................................18
         3.5      BOOKS AND RECORDS..............................................................................19
         3.6      REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.....................................................................20
         3.7      CONDITION AND SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS............................................................22
         3.8      ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE............................................................................22
         3.9      INVENTORY......................................................................................22
         3.10     NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.....................................................................23
         3.11     TAXES..........................................................................................23
         3.12     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS......................................................................24
         3.13     COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS; GOVERNMENTAL
                  AUTHORIZATIONS.................................................................................26
         3.14     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; ORDERS......................................................................28
         3.15     ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS..........................................................29
         3.16     CONTRACTS; NO DEFAULTS.........................................................................31
         3.17     INSURANCE......................................................................................34
         3.18     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS..........................................................................35
         3.19     EMPLOYEES......................................................................................38
         3.20     LABOR RELATIONS; COMPLIANCE....................................................................38
         3.21     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY..........................................................................39
         3.22     CERTAIN PAYMENTS...............................................................................42
         3.23     DISCLOSURE.....................................................................................42
         3.24     RELATIONSHIPS WITH RELATED PERSONS.............................................................43
         3.25     BROKERS OR FINDERS.............................................................................43

                                       (i)







                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                                                                                               Page

         3.26     BANKING RELATIONS..............................................................................43
         3.27     LIST OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.  ..............................................................43
         3.28     NON-FOREIGN STATUS.............................................................................43
         3.29     CUSTOMERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND SUPPLIERS..........................................................44
         3.30     TRANSFER OF COMPANY SHARES.....................................................................44
         3.31     STOCK REPURCHASE...............................................................................44
         3.32     NO INDEBTEDNESS BETWEEN STOCKHOLDER/COMPANY....................................................44
         3.33     NO ACQUISITION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF BUYER BY
                  STOCKHOLDERS...................................................................................44
         3.34     COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 280G OF THE IRC BY THE
                  COMPANY........................................................................................45
         3.35     ADDITIONAL TAX REPRESENTATION..................................................................45
         3.36     TERMINATION OF AGREEMENTS......................................................................45
         3.37     ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
                  STOCKHOLDERS...................................................................................45
                  3.37.1   COMPANY SHARES........................................................................45
                  3.37.2   AUTHORITY.............................................................................46
                  3.37.3   FINDER'S FEE..........................................................................46
                  3.37.4   AGREEMENTS............................................................................46

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.................................................................47
         4.1      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.................................................................47
         4.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT.........................................................................47
         4.3      INVESTMENT INTENT..............................................................................48
         4.4      CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS............................................................................48
         4.5      BROKERS OR FINDERS.............................................................................48

5.       INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES...............................................................................48
         5.1      SURVIVAL.......................................................................................48
         5.2      INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF DAMAGES BY
                  STOCKHOLDERS...................................................................................48
         5.3      INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS OF
                  STOCKHOLDERS--ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE..............................................................49
         5.4      INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF DAMAGES BY BUYER................................................51
         5.5      TIME LIMITATIONS...............................................................................51
         5.6      LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT--STOCKHOLDERS............................................................52
         5.7      CERTAIN PROVISIONS REGARDING INDEMNIFICATION...................................................53
         5.8      LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT--BUYER...................................................................55
         5.9      PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION--THIRD PARTY CLAIMS..............................................55
         5.10     PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION--OTHER CLAIMS....................................................56
         5.11     CERTAIN RIGHTS AND REMEDIES NOT AFFECTED.......................................................57

                                      (ii)




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT




                                                                                                               Page


6.       GENERAL PROVISIONS......................................................................................57
         6.1      EXPENSES.......................................................................................57
         6.2      PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS...........................................................................57
         6.3      CONFIDENTIALITY.  .............................................................................58
         6.4      NOTICES........................................................................................58
         6.5      JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS...............................................................60
         6.6      FURTHER ASSURANCES.............................................................................61
         6.7      WAIVER.........................................................................................61
         6.8      ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION..............................................................62
         6.9      DISCLOSURE LETTER..............................................................................62
         6.10     ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS.............................................62
         6.11     SEVERABILITY...................................................................................62
         6.12     SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION.................................................................63
         6.13     GOVERNING LAW..................................................................................63
         6.14     SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE...........................................................................63
         6.15     COUNTERPARTS...................................................................................63


EXHIBITS

         Exhibit 2.1                        List of Stockholders, Company Shares
         Exhibit 2.4(a)(ii)                 Stockholders' Releases
         Exhibit 2.4(a)(iii)(x) and (y)     Employment Agreements
         Exhibit 2.4(a)(vii)                Other Stockholder Documents
         Exhibit 2.4(a)(viii)               Opinion of Counsel for the Stockholders and the Company
         Exhibit 2.4(b)(iv)                 Buyer's Releases
         Exhibit 2.4(b)(v)                  Other Buyer Documents
         Exhibit 2.4(b)(vi)                 Opinion of Counsel for Buyer


                                      (iii)
</TABLE>






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


         STOCK PURCHASE  AGREEMENT entered into as of July 21, 1997 by and among
Courier Corporation,  a Massachusetts  corporation ("Buyer"), and the holders of
all of the issued and  outstanding  stock of Book-mart  Press,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"),  as listed on Exhibit 2.1 (the  "Stockholders," and
each, a "Stockholder").


                                 R E C I T A L S

         WHEREAS,  the  Stockholders  own of  record  and  beneficially,  in the
aggregate,  all of the  issued and  outstanding  capital  stock of the  Company,
consisting of 1,081.081 shares of the Company's  Common Stock,  $.0001 par value
per share (said shares of Common Stock being referred to collectively  herein as
the "Company Shares");

         WHEREAS, the Stockholders desire to sell all of their Company Shares to
Buyer, and Buyer desires to acquire all of the Company Shares; and

         WHEREAS,  as a  material  inducement  to Buyer  acquiring  the  Company
Shares,  Mr. Gluckow (as defined below) and Ms. Gluckow (as defined below) shall
each enter into an Employment  Agreement  with Buyer prior to or at the Closing,
on the terms and conditions substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
2.4(a)(iii)(x) and Exhibit 2.4(a)(iii)(y),  respectively,  and as referred to in
Section 2.4(a)(iii).

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in order to consummate  said purchase and sale and in
consideration  of the mutual  agreements  set forth herein,  the parties  hereto
hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1.       DEFINITIONS

         For purposes of this  Agreement,  the following terms have the meanings
specified or referred to in this Section 1:

         "Accounts Receivable"-- as defined in Section 3.8.

         "Actual  Knowledge"--an  individual  will be  deemed  to  have  "Actual
Knowledge" of a particular fact or other matter if:

               (a) such  individual  is  actually  aware  of such  fact or other
matter; or

               (b) such  individual  had actually  received  notice  (written or
oral) of such fact or other matter.


                                        1





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         A Person  (other  than an  individual)  will be deemed to have  "Actual
Knowledge"  of a  particular  fact or  other  matter  if any  individual  who is
serving,  or who has at the relevant time served,  as a director,  officer,  Key
Employee  (only in the case of the Company),  partner,  executor,  or trustee of
such  Person  (or in any  similar  capacity)  has,  or at any time  had,  Actual
Knowledge of such fact or other matter.

         For the purposes of this Agreement,  (i) the Actual Knowledge of a fact
or other  matter of any  Stockholder  shall be  attributed  to each of the other
Stockholders,  and (ii) if the Company has Actual Knowledge of a particular fact
or  matter,  then  each of the  Stockholders  shall  be  deemed  to have  Actual
Knowledge of such fact or other matter.

         "Affiliate" --any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by, or under  direct or indirect  common  control  with,  another  Person or any
Subsidiary  of such other  Person.  A Person shall be deemed to control  another
Person  if the  controlling  Person  owns  10% or more of any  class  of  voting
securities of the controlled  Person or possesses,  directly or indirectly,  the
power to direct or cause the  direction  of the  management  or  policies of the
controlled Person, whether through ownership of stock, by contract or otherwise.

         "Applicable  Contract"--any Contract (a) under which the Company has or
may acquire any rights, (b) under which the Company has or may become subject to
any  obligation or liability,  or (c) by which the Company or any asset owned or
used by it is or may become bound.

         "Balance Sheet"--as defined in Section 3.4.

         "Best  Efforts"--the  reasonable efforts that a prudent Person desirous
of  achieving a result  would use in similar  circumstances  to ensure that such
result is achieved expeditiously;  provided,  however, that an obligation to use
Best Efforts under this  Agreement  does not require the Person  subject to that
obligation to take action if it would result in a materially  adverse  change in
the benefits to such Person of this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions.

         "Breach"--a   "Breach"  of  a   representation,   warranty,   covenant,
obligation,  or other provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement
delivered pursuant to this Agreement will be deemed to have occurred if there is
or has been any  inaccuracy in or breach of, or any failure to perform or comply
with, such representation, warranty, covenant, obligation, or other provision.

         "Business Days"--each day, except Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays
in the  State of New  Jersey,  ending at 5:00  p.m.,  Eastern  Standard  Time or
Eastern Daylight Savings Time, whichever is then in effect in New Jersey.



                                        2




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         "Buyer"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Buyer's Closing Documents" -- as defined in Section 2.4(b)(v).

         "Buyer's Releases" --as defined in Section 2.4(b)(iv).

         "Buyer Disclosure  Letter"--the disclosure letter delivered by Buyer to
Stockholders concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

         "Certified Indebtedness Statement"-- as defined in Section 2.4(a)(v)

         "Closing"--as defined in Section 2.3.

         "Closing Date"--as defined in Section 2.3.

         "Company"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Company Shares"--as defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

         "Competing Business"--as defined in Section 3.24.

         "Consent"--any  approval,  consent,  ratification,   waiver,  or  other
authorization (including, without limitation, any Governmental Authorization).

         "Constructive  Knowledge"  -- An  individual  will  be  deemed  to have
"Constructive Knowledge" of a particular fact or other matter if:

               (a) such  individual  has Actual  Knowledge of such fact or other
         matter; or

               (b)  a  prudent  individual  would  be  expected  to  discover or
         otherwise  become  aware of such fact or other  matter in the course of
         conducting  a  reasonable  inquiry  or  investigation   concerning  the
         existence of such fact or other matter.

         A  Person   (other  than  an   individual)   will  be  deemed  to  have
"Constructive  Knowledge" of a particular fact or other matter if any individual
who is serving, or who has at the relevant time served, as a director,  officer,
Key Employee (only in the case of the Company),  partner, executor or trustee of
such Person (or any  similar  capacity)  has,  or at any time had,  Constructive
Knowledge of such fact or other matter.

         For the purposes of this Agreement,  (i) the Constructive  Knowledge of
any Stockholder  shall be attributed to each of the other  Stockholders and (ii)
if the Company has Constructive


                                        3





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





Knowledge of a particular  fact or other matter,  then each of the  Stockholders
shall be deemed to have Constructive Knowledge of such fact or other matter.

         "Contemplated  Transactions"--all  of the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement, including:

                  (a)  the sale of the Company Shares by Stockholders to Buyer;

                  (b)  the  execution,   delivery,   and   performance  of  this
         Agreement,  the  Employment  Agreements,  the Set-Off  Agreements,  the
         Stockholders'  Releases, the Designated Contract Releases and the Other
         Stockholder  Documents   (collectively,   the  "Stockholders'   Closing
         Documents"); and

                  (c)  the  performance  by  Buyer  and  Stockholders  of  their
         respective covenants and obligations under this Agreement and the other
         Stockholders' Closing Documents.

         "Contract"--any   agreement,   contract,   obligation,    promise,   or
undertaking  (whether  written or oral and whether  express or implied)  that is
legally binding.

         "Customers and Distributors"--as defined in Section 3.29.

         "Damages"--as defined in Section 5.2.

         "Designated Contracts"--any Contract to which the Company is a party or
by which it is bound  pursuant  to which the  Company has had, at any time since
the date of the Balance Sheet, or (assuming that the  Contemplated  Transactions
had not been  consummated)  hereafter  will have any  liability  (contingent  or
otherwise)  or  obligations  (contingent  or otherwise) to any present or former
stockholder,  officer,  director of the Company or Harriette Gluckow or Michelle
Gluckow, or any Affiliate thereof (including, without limitation,  liability for
buy-out or termination  costs,  early termination  fees, costs or penalties,  or
similar liability or obligations).

         "Designated Contract Releases"--as defined in Section 2.4(a)(vi).

         "Disclosure Letter"--the disclosure letter delivered by Stockholders to
Buyer concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

         "ECRA" --the Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act as enacted in the
state of New  Jersey  and as in effect  from time to time,  and any  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

         "Employment Agreements"--as defined in Section 2.4(a)(iii).



                                        4







                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT




         "Encumbrance"--any mortgage,  conditional sale agreement, charge, lien,
option, pledge, security interest, security title, or encumbrance.

         "Environment"--soil,  land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters
(including, without limitation,  navigable waters, ocean waters, streams, ponds,
drainage  basins,  and wetlands),  groundwaters,  drinking water supply,  stream
sediments,  ambient air (including,  without limitation,  indoor air), plant and
animal life, and any other environmental medium or natural resource.

         "Environmental,  Health, and Safety  Liabilities"--any  cost,  damages,
expense,  liability,  obligation,  or other responsibility arising from or under
Environmental  Law or  Occupational  Safety and Health Law and  consisting of or
relating to:

                  (a) any environmental, health, or safety matters or conditions
         (including,  without  limitation,  on-site or  off-site  contamination,
         occupational  safety and health, and regulation of chemical  substances
         or products);

                  (b) fines, penalties, judgments, awards, settlements, legal or
         administrative  proceedings,   damages,  losses,  claims,  demands  and
         response,  investigative,  remedial,  or inspection  costs and expenses
         arising under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law;

                  (c)  financial   responsibility  under  Environmental  Law  or
         Occupational  Safety  and Health Law for  cleanup  costs or  corrective
         action,  including,  without  limitation,  any investigation,  cleanup,
         removal,   containment,   or  other  remediation  or  response  actions
         ("Cleanup")  required by applicable  Environmental  Law or Occupational
         Safety and Health Law (whether or not such Cleanup has been required or
         requested  by any  Governmental  Body or any other  Person) and for any
         natural resource damages; or

                  (d)  any  other  compliance,  corrective,   investigative,  or
         remedial  measures  required under  Environmental  Law or  Occupational
         Safety and Health Law.

The terms  "removal,"  "remedial," and "response  action,"  include the types of
activities covered by the United States  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,
Compensation,  and  Liability  Act,  42  U.S.C.  ss.  9601 et seq.,  as  amended
("CERCLA").

         "Environmental Law"--any Legal Requirement that requires or relates to:

                  (a)  advising  appropriate  authorities,  employees,  and  the
         public of  intended  or actual  releases  of  pollutants  or  hazardous
         substances  or  materials,  violations  of discharge  limits,  or other
         prohibitions and of the commencements of activities, such as


                                        5





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         resource extraction or construction, that could have significant impact
         on the Environment;

                  (b) preventing or reducing to acceptable levels the release of
         pollutants or hazardous substances or materials into the Environment;

                  (c)  reducing  the  quantities,  preventing  the  release,  or
         minimizing the hazardous characteristics of wastes that are generated;

                  (d) assuring that products are designed, formulated, packaged,
         and used so that they do not present unreasonable risks to human health
         or the Environment when used or disposed of;

                  (e) protecting resources, species, or ecological amenities;

                  (f) reducing to  acceptable  levels the risks  inherent in the
         transportation  of  hazardous  substances,  pollutants,  oil,  or other
         potentially harmful substances;

                  (g) cleaning up pollutants that have been released, preventing
         the  threat  of  release,  or  paying  the  costs  of such  clean up or
         prevention; or

                  (h) making responsible  parties pay private parties, or groups
         of them,  for  damages  done to their  health  or the  Environment,  or
         permitting  self-appointed  representatives  of the public  interest to
         recover for injuries done to public assets.

         "ERISA"--the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974 or any
successor law, and the  regulations and rules issued pursuant to that Act or any
successor law.

         "Exchange Act"--the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor law, and the  regulations and rules issued pursuant to that Act or any
successor law.

         "Facilities"--any  real  property,   leaseholds,   or  other  interests
currently  or formerly  owned or  operated  by the  Company  and any  buildings,
plants, structures, or material equipment (including,  without limitation, motor
vehicles,  tank cars, and rolling stock) currently or formerly owned or operated
by the Company or its Predecessors).

         "GAAP"--generally accepted United States accounting principles.

         "Governmental  Authorization"--any  approval, consent, license, permit,
waiver,  or other  authorization  issued,  granted,  given,  or  otherwise  made
available by or under the authority of any Governmental  Body or pursuant to any
Legal Requirement.


                                        6




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         "Governmental Body"--any:

                  (a) nation,  state, county, city, town, village,  district, or
         other political jurisdiction of any nature;

                  (b)  federal,  state,  local,  municipal,  foreign,  or  other
         government;

                  (c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature
         (including,   without  limitation,  any  governmental  agency,  branch,
         department, official, or entity and any court or other tribunal);

                  (d) multi-national organization or body; or

                  (e)  body   exercising,   or   entitled   to   exercise,   any
         governmental,   administrative,   executive,   judicial,   legislative,
         regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any nature.

         "Group Representative" --as defined in Section 5.5.1

         "Groups"  --shall mean all of the  following,  and a "Group" shall mean
any one of (i) the "Merrill  Lynch Group",  comprised of Merrill Lynch  Business
Capital,  Inc.,  (ii) the  "Gluckow  Group",  comprised  of Gary S.  Gluckow and
Seymour  Gluckow,  and  (iii) the  "Rothschild  Group",  comprised  of the other
Stockholders.

         "Hazardous   Activity"--the   distribution,    generation,    handling,
importing,  management,   manufacturing,   processing,  production,  refinement,
Release,  storage,  transfer,  transportation,  treatment,  or  use  (including,
without  limitation,  any withdrawal or other use of  groundwater)  of Hazardous
Materials in, on, under,  about, or from the Facilities or any part thereof into
the  Environment,  and any  Environmental,  Health and Safety  Liabilities  that
present or pose an  unreasonable  risk of harm to persons or  property on or off
the Facilities, or that may affect the value of the Facilities or the Company to
the extent they arise out of or are related to the Environment.

         "Hazardous  Materials"--any  waste or other  substance  that is listed,
defined, designated, or classified as, or otherwise determined by a Governmental
Body (and promulgated in writing) to be, hazardous,  radioactive,  or toxic or a
pollutant or a contaminant  under or pursuant to any  Environmental Law which is
applicable  to the  Company  or its  Facilities  or its  operations,  including,
without limitation, any admixture or solution thereof.

         "Indemnified Persons"--as defined in Section 5.2.


                                        7





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         "Intellectual Property Assets" --as defined in Section 3.21.

         "Interim Balance Sheet"--as defined in Section 3.4.

         "IRC"--the  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
law, and regulations  issued by the IRS pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, or any successor law.

         "IRS"--the  United  States  Internal  Revenue  Service or any successor
agency,  and,  to the extent  relevant,  the  United  States  Department  of the
Treasury.

         "ISRA"  --Industrial  Site  Recovery Act as enacted in the state of New
Jersey,  and any  successor  statute  thereto  and any  regulations  promulgated
thereunder.

         "Key Employee" -- each of those  individuals  listed in Part 1.1 of the
Disclosure Letter.

         "Leased Real Property" --as defined in Section 3.6(a).

         "Legal  Requirement"--any  applicable federal, state, local, municipal,
foreign,   international,   multinational,   or  other   administrative   order,
constitution,  law, ordinance, principle of common law, regulation,  statute, or
treaty.

         "Material," "in all material respects," "materially  adversely," and/or
"materially  and  adversely"  shall mean -- (a) solely for the purposes of those
representations  or warranties  contained in Section 3 of this  Agreement to the
extent and only to the extent that they directly relate to Environmental  Law or
Environmental,  Health and Safety Liabilities,  those events,  conditions and/or
circumstances which result or may reasonably be expected to result individually,
or when taken in the  aggregate  with all other such events,  conditions  and/or
circumstances  (whether  relating  to one or more of  such  representations  and
warranties and whether contained in one or more Sections, subsections or clauses
hereof) in Damages to Buyer  and/or the Company in excess of  $100,000,  and (b)
solely for the  purposes of the  representations  and  warranties  contained  in
Section 3 of this  Agreement to the extent that they do not  directly  relate to
Environmental Law or Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities, those events,
conditions and/or  circumstances  which result, or may reasonably be expected to
result individually,  or when taken in the aggregate with all other such events,
conditions  and/or  circumstances  (whether  relating  to one or  more  of  such
representations  and  warranties  within a  particular  specifically  identified
subsection  or clause hereof (by way of example  only,  the Damages  computation
would be cumulative within Section 3.16(a)(i) but not among Sections  3.16(a)(i)
and  3.16(a)(ii)  hereof))  in Damages to Buyer  and/or the Company in excess of
$5,000.


                                        8




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         "Material  Adverse Effect upon the Company"-- a material adverse effect
upon the Prospects,  operations,  properties,  assets, or financial condition of
the Company.

         "Material Applicable Contract" -- as defined in Section 3.16(d)(i).

         "Mr.  Gluckow"--Mr.  Gary S. Gluckow, an individual resident in Alpine,
New Jersey and a Stockholder.

         "Ms. Gluckow"--Ms.  Michelle Gluckow, an individual resident in Alpine,
New Jersey.

         "NJDEP" -- as defined in Section 3.6(a)(iv).

         "Occupational Safety and Health Law"--any Legal Requirement designed to
provide safe and healthful working conditions and to reduce  occupational safety
and health hazards, and any program, whether governmental or private (including,
without limitation,  those promulgated or sponsored by industry associations and
insurance companies), designed to provide safe and healthful working conditions.

         "Order"--any award, decision,  injunction,  judgment, order, ruling, or
subpoena,  entered,  issued,  made,  or  rendered  by any court,  administrative
agency, or other  Governmental Body or by any arbitrator having  jurisdiction in
the matter.

         "Ordinary  Course of  Business"--an  action  taken by a Person  will be
deemed to have been taken in the "Ordinary Course of Business" only if:

                  (a) such action is consistent in nature and magnitude with the
         past  practices of such Person and is taken in the  ordinary  course of
         the normal day-to-day operations of such Person; and

                  (b) such action is not required to be authorized  specifically
         by the board of  directors of such Person (or by any Person or group of
         Persons exercising similar authority).

         "Organizational   Documents"--(a)   the  articles  or   certificate  of
incorporation  or  organization  and  the  bylaws  of  a  corporation;  (b)  the
partnership   agreement  and  any   certificate  of  partnership  of  a  general
partnership;  (c) the  limited  partnership  agreement  and the  certificate  of
limited partnership of a limited  partnership;  (d) any organizational  document
and any operating agreement of any limited liability company; (e) any charter or
similar document adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or
organization of a Person; and (f) any amendment to any of the foregoing.


                                        9



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         "Other Buyer Documents"--as defined in Section 2.4(b)(v).

         "Other Stockholder Documents"--as defined in Section 2.4(a)(vii).

         "Outstanding Indebtedness"--as defined in Section 2.4(a)(v).

         "Permitted Encumbrances" -- as defined in Section 3.6(a)(ii).

         "Person"--any individual,  corporation (including,  without limitation,
any non-profit corporation),  general or limited partnership,  limited liability
company,   limited  liability   partnership,   joint  venture,   estate,  trust,
association, organization, labor union, or other entity or Governmental Body.

         "Predecessor"--as defined in Section 3.12.

         "Proceeding"--any action, arbitration,  audit, hearing,  investigation,
litigation, or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative,  investigative, or
informal)  commenced,  brought,  conducted,  or heard by or before, or otherwise
involving, any Governmental Body or arbitrator.

         "Proprietary Rights Agreement"--as defined in Section 3.19(b).

         "Prospects" -- the prospects of the Company to the extent  evidenced by
the projections (the  "Projections")  with respect to the future  performance of
the Company as described in Part 1.2 of the Disclosure Letter.

         "Purchase Price"--as defined in Section 2.2.

         "Real Property Encumbrances" --as defined in Section 3.6(a)(i).

         "Related Person"--with respect to a particular individual:

                  (a) each other member of such individual's Family;

                  (b) any Person that is directly or  indirectly  controlled  by
         such individual or one or more members of such individual's Family;

                  (c) any  Person in which  such  individual  or members of such
         individual's  Family hold (individually or in the aggregate) a Material
         Interest; and


                                       10





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





                  (d) any Person with respect to which such individual or one or
         more members of such individual's Family serves as a director, officer,
         partner, manager, executor, or trustee (or in a similar capacity).

         With respect to a specified Person other than an individual:

                  (a) any  Person  that  directly  or  indirectly  controls,  is
         directly or  indirectly  controlled  by, or is  directly or  indirectly
         under common control with such specified Person;

                  (b)  any  Person  that  holds  a  Material  Interest  in  such
         specified Person;

                  (c) each Person that serves as a director,  officer,  partner,
         member, manager, executor, or trustee of such specified Person (or in a
         similar capacity);

                  (d) any Person in which such specified Person holds a Material
         Interest;

                  (e) any Person  with  respect to which such  specified  Person
         serves as a general  partner or a trustee  (or in a similar  capacity);
         and

                  (f) any Related Person of any  individual  described in clause
         (b) or (c).

         For  purposes of this  definition,  (a) the  "Family" of an  individual
includes (i) the individual,  (ii) the  individual's  spouse and former spouses,
(iii)  any  other  natural  person  who  is  related  to the  individual  or the
individual's  spouse  within the second  degree of  kinship,  and (iv) any other
natural person who resides with such  individual  (excluding,  in each case from
this clause (iv), any domestic  employee or non-related  house guest residing in
the home of such  individual),  and (b)  "Material  Interest"  means  direct  or
indirect beneficial  ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act)
of voting  securities or other voting interests  representing at least 5% of the
outstanding  voting  power of a Person  or  equity  securities  or other  equity
interests  representing  at least 5% of the  outstanding  equity  securities  or
equity interests in a Person.

         "Release"--any spilling,  leaking, emitting,  discharging,  depositing,
escaping,  leaching,  dumping, or other releasing into the Environment,  whether
intentional or unintentional.

         "Representative"--with  respect to a particular  Person,  any director,
officer,  employee, agent, consultant,  advisor, or other representative of such
Person, including, without limitation, legal counsel, accountants, and financial
advisors.


                                       11






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         "Securities  Act"--the  Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  or any
successor  law, and  regulations  and rules  issued  pursuant to that Act or any
successor law.

         "Set-Off Agreements" -- as defined in Section 2.4(a)(iii).

         "Stock Restrictions"--as defined in Section 2.1.

         "Stockholders"--as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

         "Stockholders' Releases"--as defined in Section 2.4(a)(ii).

         "Stockholders'  Closing  Documents"--as defined under the definition of
"Contemplated Transactions" in this Section 1.

         "Subsidiary"--with respect to any Person (the "Owner"), any corporation
or other Person of which securities or other interests having the power to elect
a majority of that corporation's or other Person's board of directors or similar
governing  body,  or  otherwise  having  the power to direct  the  business  and
policies of that  corporation  or other Person  (other than  securities or other
interests  having such power only upon the happening of a  contingency  that has
not occurred) are held by the Owner or one or more of its Subsidiaries.

         "Suppliers"--as defined in Section 3.29.

         "Tax"--any tax (including,  without limitation, any income tax, capital
gains tax,  value-added  tax,  sales tax, use tax,  property  tax,  gift tax, or
estate tax), levy, assessment,  tariff, duty (including, without limitation, any
customs  duty),  deficiency,  or other  fee,  and any  related  charge or amount
(including,  without  limitation,  any fine, penalty,  interest,  or addition to
tax),  imposed,  assessed,  or  collected  by or  under  the  authority  of  any
Governmental Body having  jurisdiction to so act with respect thereto or payable
pursuant to any  tax-sharing  agreement  or any other  Contract  relating to the
sharing or payment of any such tax, levy, assessment,  tariff, duty, deficiency,
or fee.

         "Tax  Return"--any   return   (including,   without   limitation,   any
information return),  report,  statement,  schedule,  form, or other document or
information  filed  with or  submitted  to,  or  required  to be  filed  with or
submitted to, any Governmental  Body having  jurisdiction to so act with respect
thereto in connection with the determination, assessment, collection, or payment
of  any  Tax  or in  connection  with  the  administration,  implementation,  or
enforcement of or compliance with any Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.

         "Threat of  Release"--a  substantial  likelihood  of a Release that may
require action in order to prevent or mitigate  damage to the  Environment  that
may result from such Release.

                                       12







                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         "Threatened"--a  claim,  Proceeding,  dispute,  action, or other matter
will be deemed to have been  "Threatened"  if any demand or  statement  has been
made (orally or in writing) or any notice has been given  (orally or in writing)
that  would lead a prudent  Person to  conclude  that such a claim,  Proceeding,
dispute, action, or other matter is likely to be asserted,  commenced, taken, or
otherwise pursued in the future.

2.       SALE AND TRANSFER OF COMPANY SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE; CLOSING

         2.1  COMPANY  SHARES.  Subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  of this
Agreement,  Stockholders  are hereby selling and transferring the Company Shares
to Buyer, and Buyer is hereby  purchasing the Company Shares from  Stockholders.
Contemporaneously  with the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  each
Stockholder  is  delivering  or causing to be  delivered  to Buyer  certificates
representing all of the Company Shares owned by such  Stockholder,  as set forth
in Exhibit  2.1.  Such stock  certificates  shall be duly  endorsed in blank for
transfer or shall be presented  with stock powers duly  executed in blank,  with
signature guarantees by a commercial bank or a member firm of the New York Stock
Exchange  and such other  documents  as may be required  hereunder  or otherwise
reasonably  required by Buyer to effect a valid  transfer of such Company Shares
by such  Stockholder,  free and clear of any and all (i) rights of first refusal
or restrictions of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer,
receipt  of income  or  expense  of any other  attribute  of  ownership  ("Stock
Restrictions") and (ii) Encumbrances.

         2.2 PURCHASE  PRICE AND PAYMENT.  In  consideration  of the sale by the
Stockholders  to Buyer of all of the  Company  Shares and in  reliance  upon the
representations,  warranties and covenants of the Stockholders herein contained,
Buyer  agrees  that it is  delivering  to the  Stockholders,  in the  aggregate,
payment (by wire transfer of immediately available United States Funds) equal to
$12,701,000.00  (herein,  the  "Purchase  Price"),  subject to and in accordance
with,  the  provisions  set forth in this entire Section 2.2. The Purchase Price
due to Stockholders  (as specified in Exhibit 2.1) shall be paid to Stockholders
by Buyer's wire transfer of immediately available United States Funds payable to
Jack M. Platt,  Esquire,  as agent for the benefit of each of the  Stockholders.
Written wire instructions have been provided to Buyer.

         2.3      TIME AND PLACE OF  CLOSING.  The closing of the  purchase  and
sale provided for in this Agreement  (herein called the "Closing") is being held
at the offices of Jack M. Platt,  Esquire,  One Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New
York 10020 on July 21,  1997 at 10:00  P.M.  The date on, and the time at which,
the Closing occurs is hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date."


                                       13






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         2.4      CLOSING OBLIGATIONS.  At the Closing:

                  (a)      Stockholders are delivering to Buyer:

                           (i)  certificates  representing  all of  the  Company
                  Shares,  duly endorsed (or  accompanied by duly executed stock
                  powers), with signatures guaranteed by a commercial bank or by
                  a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange,  for transfer to
                  Buyer;

                           (ii)  releases  in the  form  of  Exhibit  2.4(a)(ii)
                  executed   by   each   of  the   Stockholders   (collectively,
                  "Stockholders' Releases");

                           (iii) an employment  agreement in the form of Exhibit
                  2.4(a)(iii)(x),  executed  by Mr.  Gluckow  and an  employment
                  agreement  in the form of Exhibit  2.4(a)(iii)(y)  executed by
                  Ms. Gluckow  (collectively,  the "Employment  Agreements") and
                  the Set-Off  Agreements  dated of even date  herewith  between
                  Buyer and each of Mr. Gluckow and Ms.  Gluckow  (collectively,
                  the Set-Off Agreements);

                           (iv) the  Disclosure  Letter  executed by each of the
                  Stockholders;

                           (v)   A   certified    statement   (the    "Certified
                  Indebtedness   Statement")   to  be  signed  by  each  of  the
                  Stockholders as of the Closing Date,  setting forth the amount
                  of Outstanding Indebtedness.  (For purposes of this Agreement,
                  "Outstanding   Indebtedness"   shall   mean  the   amount   of
                  outstanding  obligations  for  borrowed  monies and  operating
                  equipment leases (including,  without limitation,  accrued and
                  unpaid interest  thereon) of the Company in the aggregate,  as
                  of the Closing Date); and

                           (vi) a  release  executed  in favor of Buyer  and the
                  Company by each party to each of the Designated Contracts in a
                  form reasonably  acceptable to Buyer and which may be included
                  as  part  of  the  Stockholder's   Releases  (the  "Designated
                  Contract Releases");

                           (vii)  those  additional  agreements,  documents  and
                  instruments   listed  on  Exhibit   2.4(a)(vii)   (the  "Other
                  Stockholder  Documents") and the other  Stockholders'  Closing
                  Documents ; and

                           (viii) The opinion of Jack M. Platt, Esq., counsel to
                  the  Stockholders  and the  Company,  in the  form of  Exhibit
                  2.4(a)(viii); and


                                       14





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





                  (b)      Buyer is delivering to Stockholders:

                           (i) the  amounts of cash  payable  to the  respective
                  Stockholders  as set forth in Exhibit  2.1,  to be effected by
                  wire  transfer  of  funds  to the  account  of Jack M.  Platt,
                  Esquire  as agent for the  benefit  of each of the  respective
                  Stockholders pursuant to Section 2.2;

                           (ii) the  Buyer  Disclosure  Letter  executed  by the
                  Buyer;

                           (iii)  the  Employment  Agreements  and  the  Set-Off
                  Agreements executed by Buyer;

                           (iv)  releases  in the  form  of  Exhibit  2.4(b)(iv)
                  executed  by  the  Buyer  and  the  Company  (  the   "Buyer's
                  Releases");

                            (v)  those  additional  agreements,   documents  and
                  instruments  listed on Exhibit  2.4(b)(v)  (the  "Other  Buyer
                  Documents"  and  together  with  this  Agreement,   the  Buyer
                  Disclosure  Letter,  the Employment  Agreements,  the Set- Off
                  Agreements,  and  the  Buyer's  Releases,   collectively,  the
                  "Buyer's Closing Documents"); and

                           (vi) the  opinion  of  Goodwin,  Procter  & Hoar LLP,
                  counsel to the Buyer, in the form of Exhibit 2.4(b)(vi).

         2.5  TRANSFER  TAXES.  All  transfer  taxes,   fees  and  duties  under
applicable law incurred in connection  with the sale and transfer of the Company
Shares under this Agreement will be borne and paid by the  Stockholders  and the
Stockholders  shall  promptly  reimburse the Company and Buyer for any such tax,
fee or duty which any of them is required to pay under applicable law.

3.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS.

         As a  material  inducement  to Buyer to enter into this  Agreement  and
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Stockholders hereby make to
Buyer the representations and warranties  contained in this Section 3. Except to
the extent  otherwise  expressly  provided in Section 3.37 of this Agreement and
subject  to any  additional  limitations  on  liability  expressly  set forth in
Sections 5.6 and 5.7 of this Agreement,  all  representations and warranties set
forth in this  Section 3 shall be  several as to the three  Groups,  so that the
Merrill  Lynch Group shall be severally  responsible  and liable for 7.5% of any
such  Breach  under  this  Section  3 and  any  Damages  relating  thereto,  the
Rothschild  Group shall be severally  responsible  and liable for 50.875% of any
Breach under this Section 3 and any Damages


                                       15



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





relating  thereto (but  Nathaniel de  Rothschild  and Donald B. Elitzer shall be
jointly  and  severally  responsible  and liable for such  50.875% of any Breach
under this Section 3 and any Damages  relating thereto for which any Stockholder
which is a member of the Rothschild  Group may be liable  hereunder,  including,
without  limitation,  for any  liability  for Breach or  asserted  Breach of any
representation  and warranty under Section 3.37), and the Gluckow Group shall be
severally  responsible and liable for 41.625% of any Breach under this Section 3
and any Damages  relating  thereto (but each of the members of the Gluckow Group
shall be jointly and severally  responsible and liable for 41.625% of any Breach
under this Section 3 and any Damages relating thereto);  provided; however, that
no  Stockholder  shall  have any right of  indemnity  or  contribution  from the
Company with respect to any Breach or asserted Breach of any  representation  or
warranty under this Section 3.

         3.1      ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.

                  (a) Part 3.1(a) of the Disclosure  Letter  contains a complete
and accurate list for the Company of its actual corporate name, its jurisdiction
of incorporation,  other jurisdictions in which it is authorized to do business,
and its capitalization (including,  without limitation, the identity and mailing
address of each  Stockholder and the number of Company Shares held by each). The
Company is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing, and in good standing
under the laws of Delaware,  with full corporate  power and authority to conduct
its  business as it is now being  conducted,  to own or use the  properties  and
assets that it purports to own or use, and to perform all its obligations  under
Applicable Contracts.  The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation  and is in good  standing  under the laws of (i) New Jersey and (ii)
each other state or  jurisdiction  in which  either the  ownership or use of the
properties owned or used by it, or the nature of the activities conducted by it,
requires such qualification,  except in the case of this clause (ii) only, where
the failure to so qualify or the failure to be in good standing would not have a
Material Adverse Effect upon the Company.

                  (b)  Stockholders  have  delivered  to Buyer true and complete
copies of the Organizational Documents of the Company, as currently in effect.

                  (c)  Except  as set  forth in Part  3.1(c)  of the  Disclosure
Letter,  neither Crown  Bookbindery,  Inc.  ("Crown") nor the Company has or has
ever had any Subsidiary.

         3.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT.

                  (a) This Agreement  constitutes the legal,  valid, and binding
obligation of each of the  Stockholders,  enforceable  against  Stockholders  in
accordance with its terms. The other Stockholders'  Closing Documents constitute
the legal, valid, and binding obligations of each of the respective Stockholders
who are parties thereto, enforceable against such

                                       16



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





Stockholders in accordance with their respective terms. Each of the Stockholders
has the right,  power,  authority  and  capacity  to execute  and  deliver  this
Agreement  and  the  other   Stockholders'   Closing  Documents  to  which  such
Stockholder is a party and to perform such Stockholders'  respective obligations
under this Agreement and such other Stockholders' Closing Documents.

                  (b) Except as set forth in Part 3.2 of the Disclosure  Letter,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other  Stockholders'
Closing Documents nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions by the Stockholders  will,  directly or indirectly (with or without
notice or lapse of time):

                           (i)  contravene,   conflict  with,  or  result  in  a
                  violation of (A) any provision of the Organizational Documents
                  of the Company,  or (B) any resolution adopted by the board of
                  directors or the shareholders of the Company;

                           (ii)  contravene,  conflict  with,  or  result  in  a
                  violation  of, or give any  Governmental  Body or other Person
                  the right to challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or
                  to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief  under,  any Legal
                  Requirement   or  any  Order  to  which  the  Company  or  any
                  Stockholder,  or  any of  the  assets  owned  or  used  by the
                  Company,  may be subject (it being  acknowledged by Buyer that
                  any relief seeking  specific  performance  or other  equitable
                  remedy  may  be  within  the  discretion  of  a  court  having
                  jurisdiction with respect thereto);

                           (iii)  contravene,  conflict  with,  or  result  in a
                  violation  in any  material  respect  of any of the  terms  or
                  requirements  of, or give any  Governmental  Body the right to
                  revoke, withdraw,  suspend, cancel,  terminate, or modify, any
                  Governmental Authorization that is held by the Company or that
                  otherwise  relates  to the  business  of, or any of the assets
                  owned or used by, the Company;

                           (iv) cause Buyer or the Company to become subject to,
                  or to become  liable for the  payment  of, any Tax (other than
                  income Tax with respect to the  Company's  earnings in respect
                  of any period following the Closing);

                           (v)   to   the   Constructive    Knowledge   of   the
                  Stockholders,  cause any of the  material  assets owned by the
                  Company to be reassessed  or revalued by any Taxing  authority
                  or other Governmental Body;

                           (vi)  contravene,  conflict  with,  or  result  in  a
                  violation  or breach of any  provision  of, or give any Person
                  the right to declare a default or exercise any


                                       17






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of,
                  or to cancel,  terminate,  or (in any material respect) modify
                  any Applicable Contract; or

                           (vii)  result in the  imposition  or  creation of any
                  Encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the assets owned or
                  used by the Company.

         Except as set forth in Part 3.2 of the Disclosure  Letter,  neither any
Stockholder  nor the  Company  is or will be  required  to give any notice to or
obtain any Consent from any Person in connection with the execution and delivery
of  this  Agreement  and  the  other  Stockholders'  Closing  Documents  or  the
consummation  or  performance  by the  Stockholders  of any of the  Contemplated
Transactions.

         3.3  CAPITALIZATION.  The authorized  equity  securities of the Company
consist of (i) 2,000  shares of common  stock,  par value  $.0001 per share,  of
which  1,081.081  shares are issued and  outstanding  and constitute the Company
Shares and (ii) 1,000 shares of preferred  stock, par value $.0001 per share, of
which no shares are issued and outstanding.  The ownership of the Company Shares
is set forth in Exhibit 2.1.  Except as set forth in Part 3.3 of the  Disclosure
Letter,  no legend or other  reference  to any  purported  Encumbrance  or Stock
Restriction  appears upon any certificate  representing equity securities of the
Company.  All of the outstanding equity securities of the Company have been duly
authorized  and validly issued and are fully paid and  nonassessable.  Except as
set  forth  in  Part  3.3 of  the  Disclosure  Letter,  there  are no  Contracts
(including, without limitation, any stock option agreements or warrants, written
or oral) relating to the issuance, sale, or transfer of any equity securities or
other securities of the Company.  None of the outstanding  equity  securities or
other securities of the Company was issued in violation of the Securities Act or
any other Legal  Requirement.  The Company  does not own, and has no Contract to
acquire,  any equity  securities or other securities of any Person or any direct
or indirect equity or ownership interest in any other business except indirectly
through  short-term  investments in money-market  accounts and similar accounts,
all of which are included in the Balance Sheet.

         3.4 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. (a) Stockholders have delivered to Buyer: (i)
consolidated  balance  sheets of the Company as at  September  30 in each of the
years 1993 through 1996, inclusive,  and the related consolidated  statements of
income,  changes in stockholders'  equity,  and cash flow for each of the fiscal
years  then ended  prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  consistently  applied,
together  with the notes  thereto and the audit and  opinion  thereon of Ernst &
Young LLP,  independent  certified  public  accountants,  (for  purposes of this
Agreement, the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at September
30,  1996  (including,  without  limitation,  the notes  thereto) is referred to
herein as the "Balance Sheet"), and (ii) an unaudited consolidated balance sheet
of the Company as at May 31, 1997 with a comparative balance sheet as at May 31,
1996 (the  "Interim  Balance  Sheet")  and the  related  unaudited  consolidated
statements of income, changes in stockholders'


                                       18





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



equity, and cash flow for the eight (8) months then ended prepared in accordance
with GAAP,  consistently  applied.  Such  financial  statements and notes fairly
present  the  financial  condition  and the  results of  operations,  changes in
stockholders' equity, and cash flow of the Company as at the respective dates of
and for the periods referred to in such financial statements,  all in accordance
with GAAP,  subject,  in the case of  interim  financial  statements,  to normal
recurring year-end adjustments (the effect of which will not, individually or in
the  aggregate,  be  materially  adverse)  and the  absence of notes  (that,  if
presented,  would not differ materially from those included in the Balance Sheet
and other audited financial statements); the financial statements referred to in
this  Section 3.4 reflect the  consistent  application  of GAAP  throughout  the
periods involved, except as disclosed in the notes to such financial statements.
No  financial  statements  of any Person  other than the Company are required by
GAAP to be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

                  (b) The  Projections  attached  to Part 1.2 of the  Disclosure
Letter were prepared in good faith,  and, to the  Constructive  Knowledge of the
Stockholders and the Company, the assumptions employed in their preparation were
reasonable  at the time of such  preparation  and on the date hereof,  but Buyer
acknowledges that financial  performance may vary from projections and forecasts
because, among other things, events and circumstances frequently do not occur as
expected and because the period to which the projections  relate may be affected
by changes in ownership  and control of the Company  following the Closing Date;
and the parties  further  acknowledge  that the  assumptions  employed  include,
without  limitation,  that the business  will continue to operate as of the date
hereof and will not include corporate charges above those used by the Company in
preparing such Projections or any  non-recurring  or extraordinary  post-closing
costs  associated  directly or indirectly  with the Buyer's  acquisition  of the
stock of the Company.

         3.5  BOOKS  AND  RECORDS.  Except  as  set  forth  in  Part  3.5 of the
Disclosure Letter,  the books of account,  minute books, stock record books, and
other  records of the Company,  all of which have been made  available to Buyer,
are complete and correct in all material  respects and have been  maintained  in
accordance with sound business practices,  including,  without  limitation,  the
maintenance of an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Except as set
forth in Part 3.5 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  the minute  books of the  Company
contain  accurate and complete  records of all meetings  held of, and  corporate
action taken by, the  stockholders,  the Boards of Directors,  and committees of
the Boards of Directors  of the Company.  Except as set forth in Part 3.5 of the
Disclosure Letter, no meeting of any such stockholders,  Board of Directors,  or
committee  has been held at which any action was taken or  authorized  for which
minutes have not been prepared and are not  contained in such minute books.  All
of those books and records are in the possession of the Company.


                                       19





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         3.6      REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.

                  (a) Real  Property.  The  Company  does not own,  directly  or
indirectly, any real property. All of the real property leased by the Company is
identified in Part 3.6(a) of the Disclosure  Letter  (herein  referred to as the
"Leased Real Property").

                           (i) Title.  Except for the  exceptions  contained  in
                  title  policies  issued by Stewart  Title  Guaranty  Co. (Nos.
                  H-4065,  dated 2/23/82, and H-6126-M,  dated 2/28/85),  and in
                  the reports of Phoenix Title Agency, Inc., dated 5/30/97 (Nos.
                  CCC-971033  and   CCC-971034),   copies  of  which  have  been
                  furnished  to  Buyer's  counsel,  to the Actual  Knowledge  of
                  Stockholders,  except  as set  forth  in  Part  3.6(a)  of the
                  Disclosure  Letter,  the lessors of the Leased  Real  Property
                  have good,  clear,  record title to the Leased Real  Property,
                  free and  clear  of all  Encumbrances,  easements,  covenants,
                  restrictions,  leases, mortgages, assessments, claims, rights,
                  judgments,  encroachments  or other  matters  affecting  title
                  (collectively, "Real Property Encumbrances"), other than:

                                            (x)      easements,       covenants,
                           restrictions and similar encumbrances that do not and
                           could not  materially  interfere  with the use of the
                           Leased Real  Property as currently  used and improved
                           by the Company, and

                                            (y) minor  encroachments that do not
                           and, to the Actual Knowledge of  Stockholders,  could
                           not materially  adversely  affect the value or use of
                           the Leased  Real  Property as  currently  used by the
                           Company  and that could be removed  without  material
                           cost

                  ((x)  and  (y)  being  herein  collectively   referred  to  as
                  "Permitted Encumbrances").  Except as set forth in Part 3.6(a)
                  of  the  Disclosure  Letter,  and in the  title  policies  and
                  reports referenced in Section 3.6(a)(i) above, the Company has
                  good,  clear,  record  and  marketable  title  to  enforceable
                  leasehold  interests  in the Leased  Real  Property,  free and
                  clear of all Real Property  Encumbrances  other than Permitted
                  Encumbrances.

                           (ii)  Status of  Leases.  All  leases of Leased  Real
                  Property  are  identified  on Part  3.6(a)  of the  Disclosure
                  Letter,  and  true  and  complete  copies  thereof  have  been
                  delivered  to  Buyer.  Each  of  said  leases  has  been  duly
                  authorized  and  executed  by the  Company  and, to the Actual
                  Knowledge of Stockholders,  by the other parties thereto,  and
                  is in full force and effect. To the Constructive  Knowledge of
                  Stockholders,  the Company is not in default under any of said
                  leases,  nor has any event occurred which,  with notice or the
                  passage

                                       20





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  of time,  or both,  would give rise to such a default.  To the
                  Actual Knowledge of Stockholders, the other party(ies) to each
                  of said leases is not in default  under any of said leases and
                  there is no event  which,  with notice or the passage of time,
                  or both, would give rise to such a default.

                           (iii) Condition of Leased Real Property.  None of the
                  Leased Real  Property is located in an area  designated by any
                  Governmental  Body  (having  jurisdiction  with respect to the
                  subject  matter) as being  within a flood  plain or subject to
                  special  flood or other  hazards.  Access to the  Leased  Real
                  Property  is by a public way or public  street.  Except as set
                  forth in Part  3.6(a) of the  Disclosure  Letter,  all  water,
                  sewer, gas, electric,  telephone, drainage and other utilities
                  required by law or necessary for the current operations of the
                  Company on the Leased Real Property have been connected  under
                  valid permits and pursuant to valid  easements where required,
                  and are  sufficient to service the Leased Real Property in all
                  material respects and in good operating condition.

                           (iv) Compliance with the Law. Neither the Company nor
                  any Stockholder has received any notice from any  Governmental
                  Body of any violation of any Legal Requirement or Governmental
                  Authorization  with respect to any Leased Real  Property  that
                  has not been heretofore corrected and no such violation exists
                  which could  materially and adversely  affect the operation or
                  value of any Leased Real Property. All improvements located on
                  or constituting part of the Leased Real Property and their use
                  and  operation by the Company have been since  October 1, 1995
                  and are now in  compliance  in all material  respects with all
                  applicable Legal Requirements and Governmental Authorizations,
                  except as set forth in Part 3.6(a) of the  Disclosure  Letter.
                  No Consent to the Contemplated Transactions is required of any
                  Governmental  Body with  jurisdiction  over any  aspect of the
                  Leased  Real  Property  or its use or  operations,  except for
                  approval  from  the New  Jersey  Department  of  Environmental
                  Protection ("NJDEP") pursuant to ISRA, which has been obtained
                  (and a true and complete  copy of which has been  delivered to
                  the  Buyer).  Neither  the  Company  nor any  Stockholder  has
                  received any notice of any current real estate tax  deficiency
                  or   assessment   (other  than   regular,   ongoing   periodic
                  assessments  for real property,  town and school Taxes) or has
                  Actual  Knowledge  of  any  proposed   deficiency,   claim  or
                  assessment (other than regular,  ongoing, periodic assessments
                  for real property,  town and school Taxes) with respect to any
                  of the Leased  Real  Property,  or any  pending or  Threatened
                  condemnation thereof.

                  (b) Personal Property. A complete description of each piece of
machinery and equipment of the Company  having an estimated fair market value of
in excess of $30,000

                                       21





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



is contained in Part 3.6(b) of the  Disclosure  Letter.  Except as  specifically
disclosed  in Part  3.6(b) of the  Disclosure  Letter,  the Company has good and
marketable title to all of its personal property. None of such personal property
is subject to any Encumbrance except as specifically disclosed in Part 3.6(b) of
the Disclosure  Letter.  The Balance Sheet reflects all personal property of the
Company  except  items that have been fully  expensed  or fully  depreciated  in
accordance  with  GAAP.  Except as  otherwise  specified  in Part  3.6(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule, all material leasehold improvements, furnishings, machinery
and  equipment of the Company are in good  operating  condition,  have been well
maintained,  and in all material  respects comply with all applicable  Legal and
Governmental  Authorizations.  Except as set forth in Part 3.6 of the Disclosure
Letter,  to the  Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  there are no  pending  or
Threatened changes of any such Legal Requirements or Governmental Authorizations
which could have a Material Adverse Effect upon the Company.

         3.7 CONDITION AND  SUFFICIENCY  OF ASSETS.  Except as set forth in Part
3.7 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  to the Actual  Knowledge of  Stockholders,  the
Leased Real Property,  buildings,  plants,  structures,  material  machinery and
equipment of the Company are structurally sound, are in good operating condition
and repair in all material  respects,  and are adequate in all material respects
for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such Leased Real Property,
buildings,  plants,  structures,  or  machinery  and  equipment  is in  need  of
maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that
are not  material  in  nature  or cost.  Except  as set forth in Part 3.7 of the
Disclosure Letter, to the Constructive Knowledge of Stockholders, the buildings,
plants,  structures,  and  equipment  of the  Company  are  sufficient  for  the
continued  conduct of the Company's  business after the Closing in substantially
the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.

         3.8 ACCOUNTS  RECEIVABLE.  All accounts  receivable of the Company that
are  reflected  on the  Balance  Sheet or the  Interim  Balance  Sheet or on the
accounting  records of the Company as of the  Closing  Date  (collectively,  the
"Accounts  Receivable")  represent valid obligations arising from sales actually
made or services  actually  performed  and, in each case,  properly  recorded in
accordance  with GAAP in the books and  records  of the  Company.  To the Actual
Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  except as set forth in Part 3.8 of the  Disclosure
Letter, there is existing, as of the date hereof, no dispute, contest, claim, or
right of set-off  involving  an amount,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  in
excess of $5,000 with any obligor of any Account Receivable which is outstanding
on the  Closing  Date,  relating  to the  amount or  validity  of, or quality of
services  or  products  covered  by such  Accounts  Receivable.  Part 3.8 of the
Disclosure  Letter  contains  a  complete  and  accurate  list  of all  Accounts
Receivable as of the date of the Interim  Balance  Sheet,  which list sets forth
the aging of such Accounts Receivable.

                  3.9  INVENTORY.  All inventory of the Company,  whether or not
reflected  in the Balance  Sheet or the  Interim  Balance  Sheet,  consists of a
quality and quantity usable and

                                       22






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



salable in the Company's Ordinary Course of Business,  except for obsolete items
and items of  below-standard  quality,  all of which  have been  written  off or
written down to net realizable value in the Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance
Sheet , as the case may be. All  inventories  not written off have been properly
valued in  accordance  with  GAAP at the lower of cost or market on a  first-in,
first-out  basis.  The  quantities  of  each  item  of  inventory  (whether  raw
materials,  work-in-process,  or finished  goods) are not excessive,  but in the
judgment  of  the   Company's   management,   are   reasonable  in  the  present
circumstances of the Company.

         3.10 NO  UNDISCLOSED  LIABILITIES.  Except as set forth in Part 3.10 of
the Disclosure Letter, to the Actual Knowledge of Stockholders,  the Company has
no  liabilities  or  obligations  of  any  nature  (whether  absolute,  accrued,
contingent,  or  otherwise)  which  individually  or  collectively  could have a
Material Adverse Effect upon the Company,  except for liabilities or obligations
reflected or reserved  against in the Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance Sheet
and current  liabilities  incurred in the Company's  Ordinary Course of Business
since the respective dates thereof and properly recorded in accordance with GAAP
in the books and records of the Company.

         3.11     TAXES.

                  (a) For all  periods  which  include  August  18,  1989 or any
period thereafter, the Company has filed or caused to be filed prior to the date
of this  Agreement  all United States  federal and state,  local and foreign Tax
Returns that are or were required to be filed by or with respect to it, pursuant
to applicable Legal  Requirements.  Stockholders  have delivered to Buyer copies
of, and Part 3.11 of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete and accurate list
of, all such Tax Returns  (including any amendments  thereof) filed prior to the
date of this Agreement.  The Company has paid, or made provision for the payment
of, all Taxes that have or may have  become due  pursuant to such Tax Returns or
otherwise  pursuant  to  applicable  Legal  Requirements,  or  pursuant  to  any
assessment  received by Stockholders or the Company,  except such Taxes, if any,
as are listed in Part 3.11 of the Disclosure  Letter and are being  contested in
good faith and as to which  adequate  reserves  (determined  in accordance  with
GAAP) have been provided in the Balance Sheet and the Interim Balance Sheet.

                  (b) None of the United  States  federal  and state  income Tax
Returns  of the  Company  have been  audited  by the IRS or  relevant  state tax
authorities.  There have been no adjustments to, or deficiencies proposed by the
IRS or State Taxing  Authority with respect to, any of the United States federal
and state income Tax Returns  filed by the Company  prior to the date hereof for
any taxable years which include August 18, 1989 or any period thereafter. Except
as  described  in Part 3.11 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  no  Stockholder  or the
Company has given or been  requested  to give  waivers or  extensions  (or is or
would be  subject  to a waiver or  extension  given by any other  Person) of any
statute of  limitations  relating  to the payment of Taxes of the Company or for
which the Company may be liable.

                                       23





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  (c)  To  the  Constructive  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,   the
charges, accruals, and reserves with respect to Taxes on the respective books of
the Company are adequate  (determined in accordance  with GAAP) and are at least
equal  to the  Company's  liability  for  Taxes.  To  the  Actual  Knowledge  of
Stockholders, there exists no proposed tax assessment against the Company except
as disclosed in the Balance Sheet or in Part 3.11 of the Disclosure  Letter.  No
consent to the  application of Section  341(f)(2) of the IRC has been filed with
respect to any  property  or assets  held,  acquired,  or to be  acquired by the
Company.  All Taxes that the  Company is or was  required  by  applicable  Legal
Requirements  to withhold or collect for any period  which  includes  August 18,
1989 or any period thereafter,  have been duly withheld or collected and, to the
extent required, have been paid to the proper Governmental Body or other Person.

                  (d) All Tax Returns  filed by the Company for any period which
includes  August  18,  1989 or any period  thereafter,  are true,  correct,  and
complete in all material respects,  including,  without limitation, with respect
to any accruals or valuations of tangible or intangible assets.  There is no tax
sharing agreement that will require any payment by the Company after the date of
this Agreement.  The Company is not, and within the five-year  period  preceding
the Closing Date has not been, an "S" corporation.

                  (e) The Company has  disclosed  on its United  States  federal
income  Tax  Returns  all  positions  taken  therein  that  could give rise to a
substantial  understatement  of federal income tax within the meaning of Section
6662 of the IRC or could give rise to a substantial underpayment of any state or
local taxes.

         3.12     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS.

                  (a) Part 3.12 of the  Disclosure  Letter lists every  Employee
Program (as defined  below) that has been  maintained  (as defined below) by the
Company or any of the companies  merged with and into the Company or acquired by
the Company prior to the date hereof  (collectively,  the "Predecessors") (i) at
any time since July 1, 1991 and (ii) any other Employee Program so maintained at
any  time  prior to the date  hereof  to the  extent  that the  Company  has any
liability (contingent or otherwise) with respect thereto.

                  (b) Each Employee  Program  which has ever been  maintained by
the Company or any of its  Predecessors  and which has at any time been intended
to qualify under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(9) of the IRC has received a favorable
determination or approval letter from the IRS regarding its qualification  under
such section and, to the  Constructive  Knowledge of the  Stockholders,  has, in
fact, been qualified under the applicable  section of the IRC from the effective
date of such Employee Program through and including the Closing (or, if earlier,
the date that all of such Employee Program's assets were distributed).  No event
or

                                       24







                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



omission has occurred  which would cause any such  Employee  Program to lose its
qualification under the applicable IRC section.

                  (c) To the Constructive Knowledge of Stockholders, no material
failure  of any party to comply  with any Legal  Requirement  applicable  to the
Employee  Programs  that  have  been  maintained  by the  Company  or any of its
Predecessors  has occurred or exists.  With respect to any Employee Program ever
maintained  by the  Company  or any of its  Predecessors  and which is listed or
required to be listed in Part 3.12 of the Disclosure  Letter pursuant to Section
3.12(a) hereof,  there has occurred no "prohibited  transaction,"  as defined in
Section  406 of ERISA or  Section  4975 of the IRC,  or breach of any duty under
ERISA or other applicable Legal Requirement (including,  without limitation, any
health care  continuation  requirements  or any other Tax law  requirements,  or
conditions to favorable  Tax  treatment,  applicable  to such plan),  which will
result,  directly or  indirectly,  in any  material  Taxes,  penalties  or other
liability to the Company or Buyer. No litigation,  arbitration,  or governmental
administrative  proceeding (or  investigation)  or other proceeding  (other than
those  relating  to routine  claims for  benefits)  is pending or, to the Actual
Knowledge of Stockholders, Threatened with respect to any such Employee Program.

                  (d) Neither the Company nor any Affiliate  (as defined  below)
nor any of the  Company's  Predecessors  (i) has ever  maintained  any  Employee
Program which has been subject to Title IV of ERISA (including,  but not limited
to, any Multiemployer  Plan (as defined below)) or (ii) has ever provided health
care or any other  non-pension  benefits to any employees after their employment
is  terminated  (other  than as  required  by Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of
ERISA) or has ever promised to provide such post-termination benefits.

                  (e) With respect to each  Employee  Program  maintained by the
Company or any of its Predecessors at any time prior to the Closing and which is
listed or required to be listed in Part 3.12 of the Disclosure  Letter  pursuant
to  Section  3.12(a)  hereof,  complete  and  correct  copies  of the  following
documents  (if  applicable  to  such  Employee  Program)  have  previously  been
delivered to Buyer:  (i) all  documents  embodying or  governing  such  Employee
Program,  and any funding medium for the Employee  Program  (including,  without
limitation,  any trust agreements) as they may have been amended;  (ii) the most
recent IRS  determination  or  approval  letter  with  respect to such  Employee
Program  under  IRC  Sections  401  or  501(c)(9),   and  any  applications  for
determination or approval  subsequently filed with the IRS; (iii) the three most
recently filed IRS Forms 5500,  with all applicable  schedules and  accountants'
opinions attached  thereto;  (iv) the summary plan description for such Employee
Program (or other  descriptions of such Employee  Program provided to employees)
and all modifications thereto; (v) any insurance policy (including any fiduciary
liability insurance policy) related to such Employee Program; (vi) any documents
evidencing  any loan to an Employee  Program that is a leveraged  employee stock
ownership plan; and (vii) all other materials  reasonably necessary for Buyer to
perform any of its responsibilities with respect to

                                       25







                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



any Employee Program subsequent to the Closing  (including,  without limitation,
health care continuation requirements).

                  (f)      For purposes of this section:

                           (i) "Employee Program" means (A) all employee benefit
                  plans within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(3), including, but
                  not limited to, multiple employer welfare arrangements (within
                  the meaning of ERISA Section  3(4)),  plans to which more than
                  one  unaffiliated  employer  contributes and employee  benefit
                  plans (such as foreign or excess  benefit plans) which are not
                  subject to ERISA;  and (B) all stock  option  plans,  bonus or
                  incentive  award plans,  severance pay policies or agreements,
                  deferred   compensation   agreements,    supplemental   income
                  arrangements,  vacation plans,  and all other employee benefit
                  plans,  agreements,  and  arrangements  not  described  in (A)
                  above.  In the case of an Employee  Program  funded through an
                  organization   described  in  IRC  Section   501(c)(9),   each
                  reference to such  Employee  Program shall include a reference
                  to such organization.

                           (ii) An entity  "maintains"  an  Employee  Program if
                  such entity  sponsors,  contributes  to, or  provides  (or has
                  promised to provide) benefits under such Employee Program,  or
                  has any obligation (by agreement or under  applicable  law) to
                  contribute to or provide benefits under such Employee Program,
                  or if such Employee Program provides  benefits to or otherwise
                  covers employees of such entity, or their spouses, dependents,
                  or beneficiaries.

                           (iii) An entity is an  "Affiliate"  of the Company if
                  it would have ever been  considered a single employer with the
                  Company  under  ERISA  Section  4001(b)  or part  of the  same
                  "controlled  group"  as the  Company  for  purposes  of  ERISA
                  Section 302(d)(8)(C).

                           (iv)   "Multiemployer   Plan"  means  a  (pension  or
                  non-pension)  employee  benefit  plan to which  more  than one
                  employer  contributes and which is maintained  pursuant to one
                  or more collective bargaining agreements.

         3.13     COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS; GOVERNMENTAL
AUTHORIZATIONS

                  (a) Except as set forth in Part 3.13 of the Disclosure Letter:

                           (i) to the  Constructive  Knowledge of  Stockholders,
                  the Company is, and at all times  since  October 1, 1995,  has
                  been, in compliance in all material

                                       26





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  respects with each Legal Requirement that is or was applicable
                  to it or to the conduct or  operation  of its  business or the
                  ownership or use of any of its assets;

                           (ii) to the  Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,
                  no event has  occurred  or  circumstance  exists that (with or
                  without  notice or lapse of time) (A) may constitute or result
                  in a material violation by the Company of, or a failure on the
                  part of the Company to comply in any  material  respect  with,
                  any Legal Requirement,  or (B) may give rise to any obligation
                  on the part of the Company to undertake, or to bear all or any
                  portion of the cost of, any  material  remedial  action of any
                  nature; and

                           (iii) to the Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,
                  the Company  has not  received,  at any time since  October 1,
                  1995,  any  notice  or other  communication  (whether  oral or
                  written)  from  any  Governmental  Body  or any  other  Person
                  regarding  (A)  any  actual,  alleged  or  potential  material
                  violation  of, or  failure to comply in any  material  respect
                  with,  any Legal  Requirement,  or (B) any actual,  alleged or
                  potential  obligation on the part of the Company to undertake,
                  or to bear all or any  portion  of the cost of,  any  material
                  remedial action of any nature.

                  (b) Part 3.13 of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete and
accurate list of each Governmental Authorization that is held by the Company, or
by which the Company or any of the assets owned or used by the Company is bound.
To the Constructive Knowledge of Stockholders,  each Governmental  Authorization
listed or  required  to be listed  in Part 3.13 of the  Disclosure  Letter is in
effect. Except as set forth in Part 3.13 of the Disclosure Letter:

                           (i) the Company is, and at all times since October 1,
                  1995,  has been, in  compliance in all material  respects with
                  all  of  the  terms  and  requirements  of  each  Governmental
                  Authorization  identified or required to be identified in Part
                  3.13 of the Disclosure Letter;

                           (ii) to the  Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,
                  no event has occurred or circumstance exists that may (with or
                  without  notice  or lapse of time)  (A)  constitute  or result
                  directly or indirectly in a material violation of or a failure
                  to comply in any material respect with any term or requirement
                  of any  Governmental  Authorization  listed or  required to be
                  listed in Part 3.13 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  or (B) result
                  directly  or   indirectly  in  the   revocation,   withdrawal,
                  suspension,  cancellation,  or termination of, or any material
                  modification  to,  any  Governmental  Authorization  listed or
                  required to be listed in Part 3.13 of the Disclosure Letter;


                                       27






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                           (iii) the Company has not received, at any time since
                  October 1, 1995,  any  notice or other  written  communication
                  from any  Governmental  Body or any other Person regarding (A)
                  any actual,  alleged or  potential  material  violation  of or
                  failure  to  comply  with  any  term  or  requirement  of  any
                  Governmental  Authorization,  or (B) any  actual,  alleged  or
                  potential revocation,  withdrawal,  suspension,  cancellation,
                  termination   of,   or   modification   to  any   Governmental
                  Authorization; and

                           (iv) to the  Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,
                  all  applications  required to have been filed for the renewal
                  of the  Governmental  Authorizations  listed or required to be
                  listed  in Part  3.13  of the  Disclosure  Letter  have in all
                  material  respects  been duly filed on a timely basis with the
                  appropriate   Governmental   Bodies,  and  all  other  filings
                  required to have been made with  respect to such  Governmental
                  Authorizations  have been duly made on a timely basis with the
                  appropriate Governmental Bodies.

          To  the  Constructive  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  the  Governmental
Authorizations  listed  in  Part  3.13  of the  Disclosure  Letter  collectively
constitute all of the  Governmental  Authorizations  necessary (a) to permit the
Company to lawfully  conduct and operate its business in the manner it currently
conducts and operates such business and (b) to permit the Company to own and use
(in all material  respects) its assets in the manner in which it currently  owns
and uses such assets.

         3.14     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; ORDERS

                  (a) Except as set forth in Part 3.14 of the Disclosure Letter,
there is no pending Proceeding:

                           (i) that has been commenced by or against the Company
                  or that  otherwise  relates in any material  respect to or may
                  materially and adversely affect the business of, or any of the
                  assets owned or used by, the Company; or

                           (ii) that challenges,  or that may have the effect of
                  preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering
                  in  any  material   respect  with,  any  of  the  Contemplated
                  Transactions.

         To the Actual  Knowledge of  Stockholders,  (1) no such  Proceeding has
been Threatened,  and (2) no event has occurred or circumstance  exists that may
reasonably be expected to give rise to or serve as a basis for the  commencement
of any such  Proceeding.  Stockholders  have  delivered  to Buyer  copies of all
material  pleadings,  correspondence,  and  other  documents  relating  to  each
Proceeding listed in Part 3.14 of the Disclosure Letter.


                                       28






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



Except  as set  forth  in  Part  3.14  of the  Disclosure  Letter,  none  of the
Proceedings  listed  in Part  3.14 of the  Disclosure  Letter  will  result in a
Material Adverse Effect upon the Company.

                  (b) Except as set forth in Part 3.14 of the Disclosure Letter:

                           (i)  there is no Order  now in effect to which any of
                  the  Company,  or any of  the  assets  owned  or  used  by the
                  Company, is subject;

                           (ii) no  Stockholder is subject to any material Order
                  that relates to the business of, or any of the assets owned or
                  used by, the Company; and

                           (iii) to the Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  no
                  officer,  director,  agent,  or  employee  of the  Company  is
                  subject to any Order that  prohibits  such officer,  director,
                  agent, or employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct,
                  activity, or practice relating to the business of the Company.

                  (c) Except as set forth in Part 3.14 of the Disclosure Letter:

                           (i) the Company is, and at all times since October 1,
                  1995,  has been, in  compliance in all material  respects with
                  all of the terms and  requirements of each Order now in effect
                  to which it, or any of the  assets  owned or used by it, is or
                  has been subject;

                           (ii) no event has  occurred  or  circumstance  exists
                  that may  constitute  or result in (with or without  notice or
                  lapse of time) a material violation of or failure to comply in
                  any material respect with any term or requirement of any Order
                  to which the  Company,  or any of the assets  owned or used by
                  the Company, is subject; and

                           (iii) the Company has not received, at any time since
                  October 1, 1995,  any  notice or other  written  communication
                  from any  Governmental  Body or any other Person regarding any
                  actual,  alleged  or  potential  violation  of, or  failure to
                  comply with, any term or requirement of any Order to which the
                  Company, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, is
                  or has been subject.

         3.15 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS. Except as set forth in Part
3.15 of the Disclosure Letter,  since the date of the Balance Sheet, the Company
has conducted its businesses  only in the Ordinary  Course of Business and there
has not been:


                                       29






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  (a) any change in the Company's  authorized or issued  capital
stock; grant of any stock option or right to purchase shares of capital stock of
the Company; issuance of any security convertible into such capital stock; grant
of  any  registration  rights;  purchase,   redemption,   retirement,  or  other
acquisition  by the  Company  of  any  shares  of any  such  capital  stock;  or
declaration  or  payment of any  dividend  or other  distribution  or payment in
respect of shares of such capital stock;

                  (b) any  amendment to any of the  Organizational  Documents of
the Company;

                  (c) any payment or  increase  by the  Company of any  bonuses,
salaries,  or other  compensation  to any  stockholder,  director,  officer,  or
(except in the Company's Ordinary Course of Business) employee or entry into any
employment,  severance,  or similar  Contract with any  stockholders,  director,
officer, or employee;

                  (d)  any  adoption  of,  or  increase  in the  payments  to or
benefits  under,  any profit sharing,  bonus,  deferred  compensation,  savings,
insurance,  pension,  retirement, or other employee benefit plan for or with any
employees of the Company;

                  (e) any  damage  to or  destruction  or loss of any  asset  or
property of the Company,  whether or not covered by  insurance,  materially  and
adversely affecting the properties,  assets,  business,  financial condition, or
Prospects of the Company;

                  (f) any entry  into,  termination  of, or receipt of notice of
termination of (i) any license,  distributorship,  dealer, sales representative,
joint  venture,  or  similar  agreement,  or (ii) any  Contract  or  transaction
involving  a total  remaining  commitment  by or to the  Company  in  excess  of
$20,000;

                  (g) any sale (other than sales of inventory  in the  Company's
Ordinary  Course  of  Business),  lease,  or other  disposition  of any asset or
property of the Company or mortgage,  pledge, or imposition of any lien or other
Encumbrance on any material asset or property of the Company, including, without
limitation,  the sale,  lease, or other  disposition of any of the  Intellectual
Property Assets;

                  (h) any  cancellation or waiver of any claims or rights or any
write-off with a value to the Company (either  individually or in the aggregate)
in excess of $5,000;

                  (i) any change in the accounting methods used by the Company;

                  (j) any agreement,  whether oral or written, by the Company to
do any of the foregoing;


                                       30





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  (k)  to  the  Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  any  other
occurrence or event that has or could result in a Material  Adverse  Effect upon
the Company; or

                  (l) any  termination  of or  release  or waiver of, any rights
under any  Contract  identified  or, to the Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,
required to be identified in part 3.16(a) or 3.16(b) of the Disclosure Letter.

         3.16     CONTRACTS; NO DEFAULTS

                  (a) Part 3.16(a) of the Disclosure  Letter contains a complete
and  accurate  list,  and  Stockholders  have made  available  to Buyer true and
complete copies (or written summaries in the case of oral arrangements), of:

                           (i)   each   Applicable    Contract   that   involves
                  performance  of services or delivery of goods or  materials by
                  the  Company  for an  amount  or  having a value in  excess of
                  $20,000;

                           (ii)   each   Applicable   Contract   that   involves
                  performance of services for, or delivery of goods or materials
                  to the  Company  for an  amount or having a value in excess of
                  $20,000;

                           (iii) each  Applicable  Contract that was not entered
                  into in the  Company's  Ordinary  Course of Business  and that
                  involves  expenditures or receipts of the Company in excess of
                  $5,000;

                           (iv)  each  lease,  rental  or  occupancy  agreement,
                  license,  installment and conditional sale agreement affecting
                  the  ownership  of,  leasing  of,  title  to,  use of,  or any
                  leasehold or other interest in, any real or personal  property
                  (except   personal   property   leases  and   installment  and
                  conditional  sales  agreements  having  a  value  per  item or
                  aggregate  payments of less than $5,000 and with terms of less
                  than one year);

                           (v) each  licensing  agreement,  sales  agreement  or
                  other Applicable Contract with respect to patents, trademarks,
                  copyrights,   or  other  intellectual   property  (other  than
                  licensing   agreements  normally   accompanying   non-material
                  software programs such as WordPerfect(TM) and Quicken(TM));

                           (vi) each  currently  effective  Applicable  Contract
                  with current or former employees,  consultants, or contractors
                  regarding the  appropriation or the  non-disclosure  of any of
                  the Intellectual Property Assets;


                                       31





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                           (vii) each collective  bargaining Applicable Contract
                  and each other Applicable  Contract to or with any labor union
                  or other employee representative of a group of employees;

                           (viii)  each joint  venture,  partnership,  and other
                  Applicable  Contract  (however  named)  involving a sharing of
                  profits, losses, costs, or liabilities by the Company with any
                  other Person;

                           (ix) each Applicable  Contract  containing  covenants
                  that in any way purport to restrict the  business  activity of
                  the Company or, to the Actual Knowledge of  Stockholders,  any
                  Affiliate  of the  Company or limit the freedom of the Company
                  or any  Affiliate  of the  Company  to  engage  in any line of
                  business or to compete with any Person;

                           (x) each Applicable  Contract  providing for payments
                  to or by any Person  based on sales,  purchases,  or  profits,
                  other than direct payments for goods;

                           (xi)  each  power  of  attorney   that  is  currently
                  effective and outstanding;

                           (xii) each  Applicable  Contract  entered  into other
                  than  in  the  Company's  Ordinary  Course  of  Business  that
                  contains or provides for an express undertaking by the Company
                  to be  responsible  for  special,  consequential  or  indirect
                  damages which may exceed $5,000;

                           (xiii)   each   Applicable   Contract   for   capital
                  expenditures in excess of $20,000;

                           (xiv) each written warranty,  guaranty,  and or other
                  similar  undertaking  with respect to contractual  performance
                  extended by the Company other than in the  Company's  Ordinary
                  Course of Business; and

                           (xv) each  amendment,  supplement,  and  modification
                  (whether oral or written) in respect of any of the foregoing.

         Part 3.16(a) of the Disclosure  Letter sets forth the subject matter of
such Contracts, the parties to such Contracts, and (if ascertainable) the amount
of the remaining commitment of the Company under such Contracts.

                  (b)  Except as set  forth in Part  3.16(b)  of the  Disclosure
Letter:


                                       32





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                           (i) no  Stockholder  (and no  Related  Person  of any
                  Stockholder)  has or may  acquire  any  rights  under,  and no
                  Stockholder  has or may become  subject to any  obligation  or
                  liability under, any Applicable Contract; and

                           (ii) to the  Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  no
                  officer, director, agent, employee,  consultant, or contractor
                  of the Company is bound by any Contract that purports to limit
                  the  ability  of  such  officer,  director,  agent,  employee,
                  consultant,  or  contractor to (A) compete with the Company or
                  otherwise  engage in or continue  any  conduct,  activity,  or
                  practice directly  relating to such Person's  involvement with
                  the business of the  Company,  or (B) assign to the Company or
                  to any other Person any rights to any invention,  improvement,
                  or discovery.

                  (c)  Except as set  forth in Part  3.16(c)  of the  Disclosure
Letter,  each Contract  identified or, to the Actual  Knowledge of Stockholders,
required to be identified in Part 3.16(a) or 3.16(b) of the Disclosure Letter is
in full force and effect and, to the Actual Knowledge of Stockholders,  there is
no basis for believing  that each such Contract is not valid and  enforceable in
all material  respects in accordance  with its terms (it being  acknowledged  by
Buyer that any relief seeking specific performance or other equitable remedy may
be within the discretion of a court having jurisdiction with respect thereto).

                  (d)  Except as set  forth in Part  3.16(d)  of the  Disclosure
Letter:

                           (i) the Company is, and at all times since October 1,
                  1995,  has been, in  compliance in all material  respects with
                  all  applicable   terms  and  requirements  of  each  Contract
                  identified  or,  to  the  Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,
                  required to be  identified  in Part  3.16(a) or 3.16(b) of the
                  Disclosure   Letter  (for  purposes  of  this  clause  (d),  a
                  "Material Applicable Contract") under which the Company has or
                  had any obligation or liability or by which the Company or any
                  of the assets owned or used by the Company is or was bound;

                           (ii) to the Actual  Knowledge of  Stockholders,  each
                  other Person that has or had any obligation or liability under
                  any Material  Applicable  Contract under which the Company has
                  or had any rights is, and at all times  since  October 1, 1995
                  has been,  in  compliance  in all material  respects  with the
                  terms and requirements of such Contract;

                           (iii) to the Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,
                  no event has  occurred  or  circumstance  exists that (with or
                  without  notice  or lapse of time)  may  contravene,  conflict
                  with, or result in a material  violation or breach of, or give
                  the Company or any other Person the right to declare a default
                  or exercise

                                       33





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





                  any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance
                  of,  or  to  cancel,   terminate,   or  modify,  any  Material
                  Applicable Contract; and

                           (iv) to the  Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,
                  the  Company  has not  given to or  received  from  any  other
                  Person, at any time since October 1, 1995, any notice or other
                  communication  (whether oral or written) regarding any actual,
                  alleged or potential violation or breach of, or default under,
                  any Material Applicable Contract.

                  (e) The presently effective  Applicable  Contracts relating to
the sale,  design,  manufacture,  or  provision  of  products or services by the
Company have been entered into in the Company's Ordinary Course of Business.

         3.17     INSURANCE

                  (a)      Stockholders have delivered to Buyer:

                           (i) true  and  complete  copies  of all  policies  of
                  insurance  to which the  Company is a party or under which the
                  Company, or, to the extent such policies have been obtained or
                  are paid for by the Company, any officer, director or employee
                  of the Company,  is or has been covered at any time since June
                  1, 1996;

                           (ii)  true  and   complete   copies  of  all  pending
                  applications for policies of insurance; and

                           (iii) any  statement by the auditor of the  Company's
                  financial  statements  with  regard  to the  adequacy  of such
                  entity's coverage or of the reserves for claims.

                  (b)      Part 3.17(b) of the Disclosure Letter describes:

                           (i) any  self-insurance  arrangement  by or affecting
                  the  Company,  including,  without  limitation,  any  reserves
                  established thereunder;

                           (ii) any Contract,  other than a policy of insurance,
                  for the transfer or sharing of any risk by the Company; and

                           (iii) all obligations of the Company to third parties
                  with respect to insurance (including, without limitation, such
                  obligations under leases and


                                       34





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





                  service agreements) and identifies the policy under which such
                  coverage is provided.

                  (c)  Except as set  forth on Part  3.17(c)  of the  Disclosure
                  Letter:

                           (i) Said insurance  policies and  arrangements are in
                  full force and effect,  all premiums with respect  thereto are
                  currently  paid,  and  the  Company  is in  compliance  in all
                  material respects with the terms thereof and said insurance is
                  adequate  and  customary  for the  business  engaged in by the
                  Company and is sufficient  for  compliance by the Company with
                  all applicable Legal Requirements and all material  Applicable
                  Contracts to which the Company is a party.  There is no fee or
                  penalty  for the early  termination  of any of said  insurance
                  policies or  arrangements.  The Company  currently  has in its
                  files  accurate  copies  of all such  insurance  policies  and
                  arrangements  and any other similar  policies and arrangements
                  in effect for any period which includes August 18, 1989 or any
                  period thereafter.

                           (ii) No  Stockholder  or the Company has received (A)
                  any refusal of  coverage or any notice that a defense  will be
                  afforded  with  reservation  of  rights,  or (B) any notice of
                  cancellation or any other indication that any insurance policy
                  is no longer in full force or effect or will not be renewed or
                  that  the  issuer  of any  policy  is not  willing  or able to
                  perform its obligations thereunder.

                           (iii) The Company has given  notice to the insurer of
                  all claims that may be insured thereby.

         3.18     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth in part 3.18 of the
Disclosure Letter:

                  (a) Except as may have been  disclosed  by the  Company in its
         NJDEP  Submissions  (as  defined  below),  or as may be lawful  and not
         require such  disclosure  under  applicable  Environmental  Law, to the
         Actual  Knowledge of  Stockholders,  neither the Company nor any of its
         Predecessors  has  Released  any  Hazardous  Materials  or  engaged  in
         Hazardous Activities on or from any of the Facilities.

                  (b) To the  Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  all  written
         statements, representations and supporting documents submitted to NJDEP
         as part of or relating to the Company's May 19, 1997 ISRA submission to
         NJDEP in connection with the  Contemplated  Transactions and as part of
         all other submissions previously made to NJDEP pursuant to ECRA or ISRA
         regarding the Facilities (collectively, the "NJDEP

                                       35





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         Submissions") were true,  complete and correct in all material respects
         as of the date when made.

                  (c) True and  complete  copies of all  written  communications
         between  NJDEP  and the  Company  (or its  Predecessors)  or any of its
         Representatives  pursuant to ECRA or ISRA regarding the Facilities have
         been provided to Buyer and a complete list thereof is set forth in Part
         3.18(c) of the Disclosure Letter.

                  (d) To the Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,  there are
         no actual or Threatened Orders, claims, notices or Proceedings of or by
         any Governmental  Body respecting any violation of or failure to comply
         with any applicable Environmental Law by the Company.

                  (e) Except as expressly  disclosed by the Company prior to the
         date  hereof in its  NJDEP  Submissions,  to the  Actual  Knowledge  of
         Stockholders,  no subsurface contamination of the Environment at levels
         in excess of applicable  reporting or cleanup standards currently exist
         on, in or under the Facilities under applicable Environmental Law.

                  (f) To the Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,  no actual
         or Threatened  Orders,  claims,  notices or  Proceedings  by any Person
         asserting  responsibility  or liability of the Company under applicable
         Environmental  Law or  based  upon  a  claim  of  tortious  conduct  or
         contractual  breach for the  disposal of  Hazardous  Materials by or on
         behalf  of the  Company  or any of  its  Predecessors  at any  off-site
         location have been received by the Company.

                  (g) The  Stockholders  and the Company have  provided to Buyer
         complete  and  accurate  copies  of  (i)  all  environmental   reports,
         submissions  to or  correspondence  with NJDEP,  and (ii) to the extent
         they are in the custody of the  Company,  have made  available to Buyer
         copies  of  all  Hazardous   Materials   manifests  and  other  related
         information  regarding  off-site waste  storage,  treatment or disposal
         locations to which Hazardous  Materials generated or transported by the
         Company (and its Predecessors) have been transported for disposal.

                  (h) To the Actual  Knowledge  of EACH  EMPLOYEE OF THE Company
         RESPONSIBLE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL  AFFAIRS,  CONTROL OR COMPLIANCE AND EACH
         MANAGER, SUPERVISOR, OFFICER AND DIRECTOR of the Company (collectively,
         "Responsible Persons" and individually a "Responsible Person"),  during
         the past  five (5)  years,  neither  the  Company  nor any  Responsible
         Person:  HAS  HAD  ANY  REPORTABLE  RELEASES  OR  SPILLS  OF  HAZARDOUS
         SUBSTANCES, HAZARDOUS WASTE OR ANY OTHER


                                       36







         POLLUTANTS, AS DEFINED BY APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUTES
         OR REGULATIONS.

                  (i) To the Actual Knowledge of each Responsible Person, during
         the past five (5) years,  (i) neither any  Responsible  Person nor (ii)
         the Company: HAS BEEN PROSECUTED, OR IS CURRENTLY BEING PROSECUTED, FOR
         CONTRAVENTION  OF ANY  STANDARD  OR LAW  RELATING  TO  THE  RELEASE  OR
         THREATENED  RELEASE  FROM  THE  LOCATION  OF  A  HAZARDOUS   SUBSTANCE,
         HAZARDOUS WASTE OR ANY OTHER POLLUTANT.

                  (j) To the Actual Knowledge of each Responsible  Person,  Part
         3.18(j) of the  Disclosure  Letter  LISTS ALL CLAIMS  MADE  AGAINST the
         Company  or any  Responsible  Person  DURING  THE PAST  FIVE  YEARS FOR
         CLEANUP OR RESPONSE  ACTION,  "TOXIC TORT" OR OTHER BODILY  INJURY,  OR
         PROPERTY  DAMAGE,  RESULTING FROM THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS  SUBSTANCES,
         HAZARDOUS  WASTE,  OR  OTHER  POLLUTANTS,  FROM THE  LOCATION  OR OTHER
         LOCATIONS OWNED OR OPERATED BY any  Responsible  Person or the Company,
         INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.  Part 3.18(j) of the Disclosure Letter PROVIDES A
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CLAIM(S) AND ITS DISPOSITION.

                  (k) To the Actual Knowledge of each Responsible  Person, as of
         the Closing Date,  except as DESCRIBED IN DETAIL in Part 3.18(k) of the
         Disclosure  Letter,  neither  (i) any  Responsible  Person nor (ii) the
         Company:  KNOWS OF ANY FACTS OR  CIRCUMSTANCES  WHICH MAY REASONABLY BE
         EXPECTED  TO RESULT IN A CLAIM OR CLAIMS  BEING  ASSERTED  AGAINST  the
         Company FOR ENVIRONMENTAL  CLEANUP OR RESPONSE, OR FOR BODILY INJURY OR
         PROPERTY  DAMAGE  ARISING  FROM  THE  RELEASE  OF  POLLUTANTS  INTO THE
         ENVIRONMENT.

                  (l)  Part  3.18(l)  of  the   Disclosure   Letter  lists  each
         individual  who is a  Responsible  Person and all of them  collectively
         constitute all of the  Responsible  Persons.  Mr. Gluckow has consulted
         with  each  of  the  individuals  designated  in  Part  3.18(l)  of the
         Disclosure  Letter  and  has  confirmed  with  each of  them  that  the
         representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.18(h),  (i), (j)
         and (k) are accurate.

Buyer and  Stockholders  expressly agree that the words appearing in all CAPITAL
LETTERS in the  representations  and warranties  contained in Sections  3.18(h),
(i), (j) and (k), above, shall have the respective  meanings ascribed thereto in
the "American  International  Companies  Pollution Legal Liability  Application"
(61868(1/95)) and in the "Commercial and Industry


                                       37





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



Insurance  Company  Pollution Legal Liability  Select SM Policy" (64159 (2/96)),
copies  of  which  have  been  provided  to  Mr.  Gluckow  for  the  benefit  of
Stockholders  on or prior to the  Closing  Date and which  receipt  Stockholders
hereby  acknowledge.  Other  terms  with  initial  capital  letters  used in the
representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.18(h),  (i), (j) and (k),
above, and not specifically  defined therein shall have the respective  meanings
ascribed thereto in Section 1 of this Agreement.

         3.19     EMPLOYEES

                  (a) Part 3.19 of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete and
accurate list of the following  information for each employee or director of the
Company,  including,  without  limitation,  each employee on leave of absence or
layoff  status:  name; job title;  date of hire;  current  compensation  paid or
payable and any change in compensation since October 1, 1996;  vacation accrued;
the  amount  of income  reported  on Form W-2 for  calendar  1996;  and  service
credited for purposes of vesting and  eligibility to  participate  under each of
the  Company's  profit-sharing,  thrift-savings,  deferred  compensation,  stock
bonus, stock option, cash bonus, severance pay, insurance,  medical, welfare, or
vacation plan, or any other employee or director benefit or welfare plan.

                  (b) No  employee  or director of the Company is a party to, or
is  otherwise  bound  by,  any  agreement  or  arrangement,  including,  without
limitation,   any   confidentiality,   noncompetition,   or  proprietary  rights
agreement,  between such employee or director and any other Person ("Proprietary
Rights  Agreement")  that in any way  adversely  affects or will  affect (i) the
performance of his duties as an employee or director of the Company, or (ii) the
ability of the Company to conduct its business,  including,  without limitation,
any Proprietary  Rights  Agreement with  Stockholders or the Company by any such
employee or director. Except as set forth in Part 3.19 of the Disclosure Letter,
to the Actual  Knowledge of  Stockholders,  no director,  officer,  or other Key
Employee of the Company  intends to  terminate  his or her  employment  with the
Company.

                  (c)  Part  3.19  of the  Disclosure  Letter  also  contains  a
complete  and  accurate  list of the  following  information  for  each  retired
employee  or  director  of the  Company  or any of its  Predecessors,  or  their
dependents,  receiving  benefits or scheduled to receive benefits from or at the
expense of the  Company in the  future:  name and a  description  of  retirement
benefits  including,  without  limitation,  retiree medical insurance  coverage,
retiree life insurance coverage, and other benefits.

         3.20 LABOR RELATIONS; COMPLIANCE. Prior to the date hereof, the Company
has not been or is a party to any collective bargaining or other labor Contract.
Since October 1, 1995,  there has not been,  there is not  presently  pending or
existing, and, to the Actual Knowledge of Stockholders, there is not Threatened,
(a) any strike, slowdown, picketing,


                                       38





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



work stoppage, or administrative process with respect to any employee grievance,
(b) any  Proceeding  against or  affecting  the Company  relating to the alleged
violation of any Legal  Requirement  pertaining to labor relations or employment
matters,  including,  without  limitation,  any charge or complaint  filed by an
employee or union with the National Labor Relations  Board, the Equal Employment
Opportunity  Commission,  or any comparable  Governmental  Body,  organizational
activity,  or other labor or employment  dispute against or affecting any of the
Company  or  their  premises,  or (c) any  application  for  certification  of a
collective  bargaining agent. To the Actual Knowledge of Stockholders,  no event
has occurred or circumstance  exists that could reasonably be expected to result
in any work  stoppage  or  other  labor  dispute.  There  is no  lockout  of any
employees by the Company, and no such action is contemplated by the Company. The
Company  has  complied  in all  material  respects  with all Legal  Requirements
relating  to  employment,   equal  employment  opportunity,   nondiscrimination,
immigration,  wages,  hours,  benefits,  collective  bargaining,  the payment of
social  security and similar taxes,  occupational  safety and health,  and plant
closing. The Company is not liable for the payment of any compensation, damages,
Taxes, fines,  penalties, or other amounts,  however designated,  for failure to
comply in any material respect with any of the foregoing Legal Requirements.

         3.21     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

                  (a)  Intellectual   Property  Assets--The  term  "Intellectual
Property Assets" shall mean:

                           (i) "Word  Marks",  which  shall  mean the  following
                  insofar as they  contain  the  following  words or some of the
                  following words: the trademark/service  mark "BOOK-MART PRESS"
                  and the corporate name "Book-Mart Press,  Inc." and any of the
                  following as have  acquired  secondary  meaning as used in the
                  Company's Ordinary Course of Business:  all fictional business
                  names, trade names, registered and unregistered trademarks and
                  service marks, and applications therefor;

                           (ii)  "Non-Word  Marks",  which  shall mean any marks
                  that contain no words or parts of words, but may have acquired
                  secondary meaning;

                           (iii) "Patents",  which shall mean all inventions for
                  which  U.S.  Patents  have been  obtained  or for which a U.S.
                  Patent is currently applied-for;

                           (iv)  "Patentables",  which shall mean all inventions
                  of the Company that are patentable that belong to the Company,
                  and  that  are  used  in  the  Company's  Ordinary  Course  of
                  Business,  but for which no U.S. Patents have been obtained or
                  are currently applied-for by the Company;


                                       39





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                           (v) "Non-Secret Proprietary Information", which shall
                  mean  all   items  of   non-secret   proprietary   information
                  (specifically  excluding Word Marks,  Non-Word Marks, Patents,
                  Patentables, and Trade Secrets) that belong to the Company and
                  that are reasonably necessary to the ordinary operation of the
                  Company's current business,  including any of the following to
                  the extent that they are not secret: customer lists, technical
                  information, data, plans, drawings, and blueprints;

                           (vi) "Trade Secrets",  which shall mean such items of
                  proprietary information that fulfill all of the following: (A)
                  they belong to the Company;  (B) they are unknown  outside the
                  Company,  and (C) they are (and their  secrecy is)  reasonably
                  necessary to the ordinary  operation of the Company's  current
                  business;

                           (vii)  "Software",  which  shall  mean  all  computer
                  programs used by the Company in the ordinary  operation of the
                  Company's current business, and

                           (v) "Copyrights", which shall mean all copyrights and
                  federal  registrations  thereof  in which the  Company  has an
                  interest.

                  (b) Agreements--Part 3.21(b) of the Disclosure Letter contains
a  complete  and  accurate  list and  summary  description,  including,  without
limitation,  any  royalties  paid or received by the Company,  of all  Contracts
relating to the Intellectual  Property Assets to which the Company is a party or
by which the Company is bound,  except for any license  implied by the sale of a
product and perpetual, paid-up licenses for commonly available software programs
with a value of less than $5,000 under which the Company is the licensee.  There
are no  outstanding  and, to the  Constructive  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  no
Threatened disputes or disagreements with respect to any such Contract.

                  (c)      Intellectual Property Necessary for the Business

                           (i)  Except  as set  forth  in  Part  3.21(c)  of the
                  Disclosure Letter, any ownership by the Company in each of the
                  Intellectual   Property  Assets  is  free  and  clear  of  all
                  Encumbrances.  Except  as set  forth  in Part  3.21(c)  of the
                  Disclosure  Letter,  to  the  Constructive  Knowledge  of  the
                  Stockholders,  the  Company  has the  right  to use all of the
                  Intellectual  Property  Assets which it owns or otherwise uses
                  without payment to a third party.  The  Intellectual  Property
                  Assets  are  all  those  necessary  for the  operation  of the
                  Company's  businesses  as they are  currently  conducted or as
                  reflected in the Confidential  Memorandum,  dated December 26,
                  1996, as updated or  supplemented  and provided to Buyer by or
                  on behalf of Stockholders..

                                       40



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                           (ii)  Except  as set  forth  in Part  3.21(c)  of the
                  Disclosure  Letter,  no former  or  current  employees  of the
                  Company have executed written  Contracts with the Company that
                  assign  to  the   Company   any  rights  to  any   inventions,
                  improvements,  discoveries,  or  information  relating  to the
                  business  of  the   Company.   To  the  Actual   Knowledge  of
                  Stockholders,  no employee of the Company has entered into any
                  Contract that restricts or limits in any way the scope or type
                  of work in which the  employee  may be engaged or requires the
                  employee  to  transfer,   assign,   or  disclose   information
                  concerning his work to anyone other than the Company.

                  (d) Patents & Patentables.  The Company owns no Patents,  and,
except  insofar  as a patent  license  may be  implied  in law on grounds of the
Company's  lawful purchase or use of one or more items of equipment,  inventory,
or  Software,  the Company  licenses no Patents from any third  parties.  To the
Actual Knowledge of Stockholders, the Company owns no Patentables.

                  (e)      Trademarks

                           (i) Part 3.21(e) of the Disclosure  Letter contains a
                  complete and accurate list and summary description of all Word
                  Marks owned by the Company or currently used by the Company in
                  the Ordinary Course of Business.  Any ownership by the Company
                  of a Word  Mark is free  and  clear  of  Encumbrances.  To the
                  Actual Knowledge of Stockholders, the Company neither owns nor
                  uses any Non-Word Marks in the Ordinary Course of Business.

                           (ii) The  Company  owns no  registered  Word Marks or
                  registered  Non-Word Marks and,  except insofar as a trademark
                  license  may be implied  in law on  grounds  of the  Company's
                  lawful  purchase  or use of one or more  items  of  equipment,
                  inventory,  or Software, the Company licenses no Word Marks or
                  Non-Word Marks from any third parties.

                           (iii) The Company has not  commenced  any  Proceeding
                  (currently  pending)  alleging that anyone has infringed  upon
                  any of the Company's  rights in any Word Mark or Non-Word Mark
                  listed in Part 3.21(e) of the Disclosure  Letter,  and, to the
                  Actual  Knowledge of  Stockholders,  no one is infringing  the
                  Company's  rights in any such Word Mark or Non-Word Mark or is
                  using any such Word Mark or  Non-Word  Mark in a manner  which
                  would  materially   interfere  with  the  Company's  continued
                  ability  to make use of such  Word  Mark or  Non-Word  Mark as
                  currently  used in the  Ordinary  Course of  Business.  To the
                  Actual Knowledge of Stockholders:  the Company has received no
                  notice of

                                       41





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  any pending Proceeding asserting  trademark,  service mark, or
                  trade name  infringement by the Company in respect of any Word
                  Mark or Non-Word Mark listed in Part 3.21(e) of the Disclosure
                  Letter  or  otherwise,  and no  such  lawsuit  is  pending  or
                  Threatened.

                  (f) Copyrights. The Company makes no claim to ownership of any
Copyrights,  and, except insofar as a copyright license may be implied in law on
grounds of the Company's lawful printing of one or more copyrighted works at the
request of the  Copyright  owner (or its  licensee)  or insofar as a license may
have been  obtained to operate  copyrighted  Software  lawfully  licensed by the
Company, the Company licenses no Copyrights from any third parties.

                  (g) Trade Secrets and Non-Secret Proprietary Information.  The
Company  makes  no  claim to  ownership  of any  Trade  Secrets.  To the  Actual
Knowledge of Stockholders,  the Company has the right to continue to make use of
its Non-Secret  Proprietary  Information  in the ordinary  course of its current
business  without a valid  adverse  claim by any third  party.  The  Company has
received  no  notice of any  adverse  claim to any of the  Company's  Non-Secret
Proprietary Information.

         3.22 CERTAIN PAYMENTS.  To the Constructive  Knowledge of Stockholders,
since October 1, 1995, neither the Company nor any director,  officer, agent, or
employee  of the  Company  or any other  Person  acting  for or on behalf of the
Company,  has directly or indirectly (a) made any unlawful  contribution,  gift,
bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback, or other unlawful payment to
any Person,  private or public,  regardless of form, whether in money, property,
or services (i) to obtain favorable treatment in securing business,  (ii) to pay
for  favorable  treatment  for  business  secured,  or (iii) to  obtain  special
concessions or for special  concessions  already obtained,  for or in respect of
the Company or any Affiliate of the Company,  or (b)  established  or maintained
any fund or asset  that has not been  recorded  in the books and  records of the
Company.

         3.23     DISCLOSURE.

                  (a)  Except as set  forth in Part  3.23(a)  of the  Disclosure
Letter,  no  representation or warranty of Stockholders in this Agreement and no
statement in the  Disclosure  Letter omits to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements  herein or therein,  in light of the  circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading.

                  (b)  Except as set  forth in Part  3.23(b)  of the  Disclosure
Letter,  to the  Actual  Knowledge  of  Stockholders,  there is no fact that has
specific  application  to any  Stockholder  or the Company  (other than  general
economic or industry conditions) and that has had a Material Adverse Effect upon
the Company or, as far as any Stockholder can reasonably foresee, could


                                       42





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



have a Material  Adverse  Effect upon the Company that has not been set forth in
this Agreement or the Disclosure Letter.

         3.24  RELATIONSHIPS  WITH RELATED PERSONS.  Except as set forth in Part
3.24 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  no  Stockholder  or any Related  Person of any
Stockholder  or of the  Company  has,  or since  October  1,  1995 has had,  any
interest in any property (whether real, personal,  or mixed and whether tangible
or intangible) used in or pertaining to the Company's businesses.  Except as set
forth in Part 3.24 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  no  Stockholder  or any  Related
Person of any  Stockholder or of the Company is the owner of or since October 1,
1995 has owned (of record or as a  beneficial  owner) an equity  interest or any
other  financial  or  profit  interest  in, a Person  that has (i) had  business
dealings or a material  financial  interest in any transaction with the Company,
or (ii) engaged in competition  with the Company with respect to any line of the
products  or  services of the  Company (a  "Competing  Business")  in any market
presently  served  by the  Company  except  for  less  than one  percent  of the
outstanding  capital stock of any Competing  Business that is publicly traded on
any recognized exchange or in the over-the-counter  market.  Except as set forth
in Part 3.24 of the Disclosure  Letter,  no Stockholder or any Related Person of
any  Stockholder  or of the Company is a party to any Contract  with, or has any
claim or right against, the Company.

         3.25  BROKERS  OR  FINDERS.  Except  as set  forth in Part  3.25 of the
Disclosure  Letter,  the Company has not incurred any  obligation  or liability,
contingent or otherwise,  for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'  commissions
or other similar payment in connection  with this Agreement or the  Contemplated
Transactions.

         3.26 BANKING  RELATIONS.  All of the arrangements which the Company has
with any banking institution are described in all material respects in Part 3.26
of the Disclosure  Letter,  indicating with respect to each of such arrangements
the  type  of  arrangement  maintained  (such  as  checking  account,  borrowing
arrangements,  safe  deposit  box,  etc.)  and  the  individual  or  individuals
authorized in respect thereof.

         3.27 LIST OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Part 3.27 of the Disclosure Letter
contains a true and complete  list of all current  directors and officers of the
Company. In addition,  Part 3.27 of the Disclosure Letter contains a list of all
managers,  employees  and  consultants  of the Company  who,  individually,  are
scheduled  to receive  compensation  from the Company for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1997, in excess of $50,000. In each case such listing includes the
current  job  title  and  current  aggregate  annual  compensation  of each such
individual.

         3.28 NON-FOREIGN  STATUS.  The Company is not a "foreign person" within
the  meaning  of  Section  1445 of the Code  and  Treasury  Regulations  Section
1.1445-2.

                                       43






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT




         3.29  CUSTOMERS,  DISTRIBUTORS  AND  SUPPLIERS.  Part  3.29(a)  of  the
Disclosure  Letter sets forth the approximate  aggregate  amount of sales by the
Company  from  June 1,  1996  through  May 31,  1997 to,  and the  name of,  any
customer, sales representative or distributor (whether pursuant to a commission,
royalty or other  arrangement) which accounted for more than 10% of the sales of
the  Company for the twelve  months  ended  September  30, 1996 or for the eight
months  ended as of the date of the Interim  Balance  Sheet  (collectively,  the
"Customers and  Distributors").  Part 3.29(b) of the Disclosure Letter lists all
of the  suppliers of the Company to whom during the fiscal year ended  September
30, 1996 or the  eight-month  period ended as of the date of the Interim Balance
Sheet the Company  made  payments  aggregating  $20,000 or more,  showing,  with
respect to each, the name,  address and  approximate  dollar volume involved for
the period from October 1, 1996 to May 31, 1997, inclusive (the "Suppliers"). To
the Actual Knowledge of Stockholders,  the relationships of the Company with its
Customers, Distributors and Suppliers are good commercial working relationships.
Except as set forth in Part  3.29(c)  of the  Disclosure  Letter,  no  Customer,
Distributor or Supplier has canceled, materially modified, or otherwise notified
the Company of the  termination  of its  relationship  with the Company,  or has
during the last twelve months  decreased  materially  its services,  supplies or
materials to the Company or its usage or purchase of the services or products of
the Company,  nor to the Actual  Knowledge of  Stockholder,  does any  Customer,
Distributor or Supplier have any plan or intention to do any of the foregoing.

         3.30  TRANSFER OF COMPANY  SHARES.  To the  Constructive  Knowledge  of
Stockholders,  no holder of stock of the Company has at any time transferred any
of such stock to any  employee of the Company,  which  transfer  constituted  or
could be viewed as  compensation  for  services  rendered to the Company by said
employee.

         3.31  STOCK  REPURCHASE.  Except  as set  forth  in  Part  3.31  of the
Disclosure  Letter,  the Company  has not  redeemed  or  repurchased  any of its
capital stock.

         3.32 NO INDEBTEDNESS BETWEEN  STOCKHOLDER/COMPANY.  Except as set forth
in Part  3.32 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  no  Stockholder  has any  outstanding
indebtedness  for  borrowed  monies,   directly,   or  indirectly  through  such
Stockholder's  Related  Persons,  to the Company as of the date hereof;  and the
Company has no outstanding  indebtedness for borrowed monies or, except in their
capacity  as an  employee or  director,  if any,  any  financial  or  employment
obligations or liability of any kind as of the date hereof to any Stockholder or
any Related Person of such Stockholder.

         3.33     NO ACQUISITION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF BUYER BY
STOCKHOLDERS.  Except as set forth in Part 3.33 of the Disclosure  Letter, at no
time  during  the  twelve-month  period  ending  as of the date  hereof  has any
Stockholder or any Related Person of such Stockholder acquired any capital stock
or other securities of Buyer.


                                       44






                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         3.34  COMPLIANCE  WITH  SECTION  280G  OF THE IRC BY THE  COMPANY.  The
Company has not made any payment, and is not obligated to make any payments, and
is not a party to any agreement to make  payments  which would not be deductible
under Section 280G of the IRC.

         3.35  ADDITIONAL  TAX  REPRESENTATION.  The  Company (a) has not been a
member of an  Affiliated  Group (as  defined in the IRC)  filing a  consolidated
federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which was the
Company)  and (b) has no liability  for the Taxes of any Person  (other than the
Company)  under Reg.  1.1502-6  (or any similar  provision of state,  local,  or
foreign law), as a transferee or successor,  by Contract or otherwise except for
collection and remission to the applicable Governmental Body of sales and/or use
Taxes with respect to its customers.

         3.36 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENTS. Part 3.36 of the Disclosure Letter sets
forth a description of all Designated  Contracts.  Except as expressly set forth
in Part  3.36 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  all  Designated  Contracts  have been
irrevocably  terminated  as of the Closing Date and the Company has not incurred
or accrued any cost or expense with respect to any Designated Contract since the
date of the Balance  Sheet and the  Company  will have no further  liability  or
obligations under any of the Designated Contracts on or after the Closing Date.

         3.37 ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS.  As
a material  inducement to Buyer to enter into this  Agreement and consummate the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  each Stockholder  hereby severally makes to
Buyer each of the  representations and warranties set forth in this Section 3.37
with  respect to such  Stockholder,  subject  in all cases  with  respect to any
Stockholder  who or which is a member of the Rothschild  Group to the provisions
of the introductory  paragraph of this Section 3 and Section 5.7 hereof.  Except
to the extent of the  liability of Donald B. Elitzer and Nathaniel de Rothschild
for  Breaches or asserted  Breaches  of this  Section  3.37 by any member of the
Rothschild  Group, no Stockholder will have liability for the Breach or asserted
Breach of this Section 3.37 by any other Stockholder.  No Stockholder shall have
any right of  indemnity  or  contribution  from the Company  with respect to the
Breach or asserted Breach of any representation or warranty hereunder.

                  3.37.1 COMPANY  SHARES.  Such  Stockholder  owns of record and
beneficially   the  number  of  the  Company  Shares  set  forth  opposite  such
Stockholder's  name in Exhibit 2.1. Such Company  Shares are, and when delivered
by  such  Stockholder  to  Buyer  pursuant  to  this  Agreement  will  be,  duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and free and clear of any
and all Encumbrances and Stock Restrictions.


                                       45





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  3.37.2 AUTHORITY.  This Agreement and the other  Stockholders'
Closing  Documents  executed and delivered by such Stockholder  pursuant to this
Agreement have been duly  authorized by all necessary  corporate  action of each
Stockholder  which is a  corporation,  and such  Stockholder  has full power and
authority to transfer,  sell and deliver such  Stockholder's  Company  Shares to
Buyer pursuant to this  Agreement.  The execution,  delivery and  performance of
this Agreement and each such agreement, document and instrument:

                  (a)  does  not and  will  not  violate  any  provision  of the
                  Organizational  Documents  of any  Stockholder  which is not a
                  natural person,  or any laws of the United States or any state
                  or  other  jurisdiction  applicable  to such  Stockholder,  or
                  require such  Stockholder  to obtain any approval,  consent or
                  waiver  from,  or make any filing  with,  any person or entity
                  (governmental  or  otherwise)  that has not been  obtained  or
                  made; and

                  (b) does not and will not result in a Breach of,  constitute a
                  default under,  accelerate any obligation  under, or give rise
                  to a right of termination  of, any indenture or loan or credit
                  agreement  or any other  material  Contract  or Order to which
                  such  Stockholder  is a party or by which the property of such
                  Stockholder is bound or affected in any material  respect,  or
                  result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance on the
                  assets of the Company or any Encumbrance or Stock  Restriction
                  on Company Shares owned by such Stockholder.

                  3.37.3  FINDER'S FEE.  Except as set forth in Part 3.25 of the
Disclosure  Letter,  such  Stockholder has not incurred or become liable for any
broker's  commission  or  finder's  fee  relating to or in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  3.37.4  AGREEMENTS.  Except as set forth in Part 3.37.4 of the
Disclosure  Letter,  if  such  Stockholder  is  employed  by the  Company,  such
Stockholder   is  not  a  party  to  any   non-competition,   trade   secret  or
confidentiality  agreement with any Person other than the Company.  There are no
Contracts or  arrangements  not contained  herein or disclosed in the Disclosure
Letter,  to which such  Stockholder  is a party  relating to the business of the
Company  or to such  Stockholder's  rights  and  obligations  as a  stockholder,
director  or officer of the  Company.  Except as set forth in Part 3.37.4 of the
Disclosure Letter, such Stockholder does not own, directly or indirectly,  on an
individual or joint basis,  any material  interest in, or serve as an officer or
director of, any customer,  competitor or supplier of the Company, or any Person
which has a Contract or arrangement  with the Company.  Such Stockholder has not
at any time  transferred  any of the capital stock of the Company held by or for
such holder to any employee of the Company,  which transfer constituted or could
be viewed as compensation for services rendered to the Company by said employee.
The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement  and each  other
Stockholder's Closing Documents to which such Stockholder


                                       46





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



is a party  will not  violate  or  result in a default  or  acceleration  of any
obligation under any Contract or other instrument to which such Stockholder is a
party.

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         Buyer represents and warrants to Stockholders as follows:

         4.1      ORGANIZATION  AND GOOD STANDING.  Buyer is a corporation  duly
organized,  validly  existing,  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

         4.2      AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT.

                  (a) This  Agreement  and the other Buyer's  Closing  Documents
constitute  the legal,  valid,  and binding  obligations  of Buyer,  enforceable
against Buyer in accordance with their  respective  terms.  Buyer has the right,
power, and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Buyer's
Closing  Documents and to perform its  obligations  under this Agreement and the
other Buyer's Closing Documents.

                  (b) Neither the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
Buyer  nor  the   consummation  or  performance  of  any  of  the   Contemplated
Transactions  by Buyer  will give any  Person the right to  prevent,  delay,  or
otherwise interfere with any of the Contemplated Transactions pursuant to:

                           (i)   any   provision   of   Buyer's   Organizational
                  Documents;

                           (ii) any resolution adopted by the board of directors
                  or the stockholders of Buyer;

                           (iii) any Legal  Requirement  or Order to which Buyer
                  may be subject; or

                           (iv) any  Contract  to  which  Buyer is a party or by
                  which Buyer may be bound.

         Buyer is not and will not be required  to obtain any  Consent  from any
Person in connection  with the  execution and delivery of this  Agreement or the
consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions.


                                       47





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         4.3  INVESTMENT  INTENT.  Buyer is acquiring the Company Shares for its
own  account  and not with a view to their  distribution  within the  meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act.

         4.4 CERTAIN  PROCEEDINGS.  There is no pending Proceeding that has been
commenced  against Buyer that challenges,  or may have the effect of preventing,
delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions.  To the best of Buyer's Actual  Knowledge,  no such Proceeding has
been Threatened.

         4.5  BROKERS OR  FINDERS.  Except as set forth in Part 4.5 of the Buyer
Disclosure Letter, Buyer and its officers and agents have incurred no obligation
or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'
commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement.

5.       INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES

         5.1  SURVIVAL.   All  representations,   warranties,   covenants,   and
obligations in this Agreement,  the Disclosure Letter, the Stockholders' Closing
Documents,  the Buyer's Closing Documents,  the Certified Indebtedness Statement
delivered pursuant to Section 2.4(a)(v),  and any other certificate agreement or
document  delivered  pursuant to this  Agreement or such other  documents  will,
except as otherwise  expressly provided in this Agreement,  survive the Closing.
The right to  indemnification,  payment of Damages or other remedy based on such
representations,  warranties, covenants, and obligations will not be affected by
any  investigation  conducted  with  respect  to,  or any  Actual  Knowledge  or
Constructive  Knowledge capable of being acquired at any time, whether before or
after the  execution and delivery of this  Agreement or the Closing  Date,  with
respect  to  the  accuracy  or  inaccuracy  of  or  compliance  with,  any  such
representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation.

         5.2      INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF DAMAGES BY
STOCKHOLDERS.  Stockholders  will  indemnify  and hold  harmless  Buyer  and the
Company, and their respective officers,  directors and employees  (collectively,
the  "Indemnified  Persons")  for, and will pay to the  Indemnified  Persons the
amount of, any loss,  liability,  claim,  damage,  expense  (including,  without
limitation,  reasonable  costs  of  investigation  and  defense  and  reasonable
attorneys'  fees and  disbursements)  or  diminution  of value,  whether  or not
involving a third-party claim (collectively,  "Damages"),  arising,  directly or
indirectly, from or in connection with or based upon:

                  (a) any Breach or  asserted  Breach of any  representation  or
         warranty  made  by any of  the  Stockholders  in  this  Agreement,  the
         Disclosure Letter, any of the other Stockholders' Closing Documents, or
         any other certificate or document  delivered by any of the Stockholders
         pursuant to any of the foregoing (excepting in all cases only the


                                       48





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         Employment  Agreements,  the Set-Off  Agreements,  and the Master Lease
         Agreement  of even date  between  the Company and 2001 Realty Corp (the
         "New Lease");

                  (b) any Breach or asserted  Breach by any  Stockholder  of any
         covenant, agreement, obligation or undertaking (as distinguished from a
         representation or warranty) of such Stockholder in this Agreement or in
         any  of  the  other  Stockholders'  Closing  Documents  to  which  such
         Stockholder  is a party  (excepting  in all cases  only the  Employment
         Agreements, the Set-Off Agreements, and the New Lease);

                  (c) any matter set forth in Part 5.2 of the Disclosure Letter,
         but only as and to the extent set forth therein;

                  (d)  except  to the  extent  set  forth in Part  5.2(d) of the
         Disclosure  Letter,  any claim by any Person for  brokerage or finder's
         fees or  commissions  or similar  payments  based upon any agreement or
         understanding  alleged  to have been made by any such  Person  with any
         Stockholder  or the Company (or any Person  acting on any such Person's
         behalf) in connection with any of the Contemplated Transactions; or

                  (e) any  liability  or asserted  liability  of the Company for
         Taxes arising from any event or transaction  prior to the Closing which
         has not been paid or provided  for or  reserved  against in full by the
         Company,  including,  without limitation,  any increase in Taxes due to
         the  unavailability of any loss or deduction claimed by the Company (it
         being  understood that this Section 5.2(e) is in addition to and not in
         limitation  of any other claim  relating to Taxes  arising  pursuant to
         Section 5.2(a) hereof, but, to the extent duplicative,  is not intended
         to multiply Stockholders' liability hereunder).

         5.3      INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS OF
STOCKHOLDERS--ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.

                  (a) In addition to any other  provisions  of Section 5 (but as
         Buyer's sole recourse  under this  Agreement  respecting  Stockholders'
         obligations  to the extent but only to the extent they relate  directly
         to the collection of the Company's Accounts  Receivable),  Stockholders
         will,  upon  demand  by  Buyer or the  Company  at any time on or after
         October 1, 1998,  pay to Buyer (or the  Company) the amount (if any) by
         which the aggregate  amount of all Accounts  Receivable  outstanding on
         the  Closing  Date  (the  "Company  Receivables")  which  have not been
         collected   on  or  before   September   30,  1998  (the   "Uncollected
         Receivables")  exceeds  $200,000  (the amount by which the  Uncollected
         Receivables  exceeds $200,000 being referred to as the  "Uncollectibles
         Amount"); provided, however, that:


                                       49





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                           (i) if any payment  ("Collected  Amount") is received
                  by  Buyer  or  the  Company  in  respect  of  any  Uncollected
                  Receivable   (determined   with   respect   to  each   Account
                  Receivable)  after  September  30, 1998 and prior to September
                  30, 2001 (the "Collection Period"),  then Buyer or the Company
                  shall promptly thereafter make a payment in the amount of such
                  Collected Amount (net of any reasonable out-of-pocket costs of
                  collection  of such  amounts) to the Person  designated by the
                  Stockholders  in Part 5 of the  Disclosure  Letter  (the  "A/R
                  Designee");  provided,  however,  that in no event  shall  the
                  aggregate  of all  such  payments  exceed  the  Uncollectibles
                  Amount; and

                           (ii) the Company may, in its sole discretion,  assign
                  any Company  Receivables for which uncollected  amounts remain
                  as of September  30, 1998 to the A/R Designee (for the ratable
                  benefit  of each  of the  Stockholders),  in  which  case  the
                  Company's and Buyer's  obligations under clause (a)(i) of this
                  Section  5.3 shall not  thereafter  apply to any such  Account
                  Receivable.  The  Stockholders  may pursue  collection  of any
                  Company  Receivables  so  assigned in any manner they may deem
                  desirable.

                  (b) During  the  period  commencing  on the  Closing  Date and
         ending upon expiration of the Collection Period,  Buyer will attempt to
         collect  all  Company  Receivables  in  accordance  with the  Company's
         regular, customary commercial policies and practices (but without being
         required to resort to litigation or the use of collection agencies).

                  (c) Payments  received by the Company from account debtors who
         may also be account  debtors  to the  Company  in  connection  with the
         post-closing  business  of the  Company  shall be  applied  to  Company
         Receivables  in the order that the  accounts  receivable  owing by each
         such account debtor arose (i.e., on a "first-in",  "first-out"  basis),
         except and to the extent of Disputed  Receivables  as  provided  for in
         this Section 5.3.

                  (d)  Buyer  shall  assure  that the A/R  Designee  shall  have
         access, no less frequently than once per calendar  quarter,  to (a) the
         name of each person who was an account  debtor as of the  Closing  Date
         and who has  made  any  payment  (whether  on  account  of any  Company
         Receivables  or otherwise)  since the Closing  Date,  (2) the remaining
         balance of such account debtor's  outstanding Company  Receivable,  and
         (3) the aggregate amount of all uncollected  Company  Receivables as at
         the close of the  immediately  preceding  quarter.  With respect to any
         Uncollected  Receivables  transferred to the Stockholders in accordance
         with  subclause  (a)(ii) of this  Section  5.3,  Buyer will provide the
         Stockholders  with  true,  complete  and  correct  copies  of the files
         relating thereto, including copies of individual remittance advices, if
         any.

                                       50





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  (e) At a reasonable time and upon  reasonable  notice to Buyer
         between the Closing Date and September 30, 1998, the Stockholders shall
         have the  right to audit on one  occasion  (at the  Stockholders'  sole
         expense)  the  Company's  books and records to confirm the  accuracy of
         Buyer's  information in respect of collections of Company  Receivables.
         The Company, under the direct supervision of its President,  shall have
         the right, in its discretion,  without the consent of the Stockholders,
         to grant or  allow  reasonable  credits,  returns  or other  allowances
         (collectively,  "Allowances") for any Company  Receivable for which the
         Company has received or shall receive  written  notification of refusal
         to pay  all or any  part  of any  such  Company  Receivable  ("Disputed
         Receivable").  Neither Buyer nor the Company will promote, encourage or
         recommend that any account debtor dispute any Company  Receivable.  The
         Company shall make  reasonable  efforts  consistent  with the Company's
         practices to collect such Disputed Receivables.

                  (f) Within ten (10) days after the Closing Date,  Mr.  Gluckow
         shall  supervise the preparation of a complete and accurate list of the
         Company's Accounts  Receivable  outstanding as of the Closing Date, and
         shall cause a copy of such list to be provided to the A/R Designee, the
         Buyer and the Group Representatives.

         5.4  INDEMNIFICATION  AND  PAYMENT  OF  DAMAGES  BY BUYER.  Buyer  will
indemnify and hold harmless  Stockholders  for, and will pay to Stockholders the
amount of any Damages  arising,  directly or  indirectly,  from or in connection
with or based  upon (a) any Breach of any  representation  or  warranty  made by
Buyer in this Agreement,  in any of the other Buyer's Closing  Documents,  or in
any other certificate or document  delivered by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement
(excepting in all cases only the Employment Agreements, the Set- Off Agreements,
and  the New  Lease);  (b) any  Breach  by  Buyer  of any  covenant,  agreement,
obligation or undertaking (as  distinguished  from a representation or warranty)
of Buyer in this  Agreement  or in any of the other  Buyer's  Closing  Documents
(excepting in all cases only the Employment Agreements,  the Set-Off Agreements,
and the New  Lease);  or (c) any claim by any Person for  brokerage  or finder's
fees  or   commissions   or  similar   payments  based  upon  any  agreement  or
understanding alleged to have been made by such Person with Buyer (or any Person
acting on its behalf) in connection with any of the Contemplated Transactions.

         5.5      TIME LIMITATIONS.

                  5.5.1 Stockholders will have no liability for  indemnification
under this Section 5 with respect to any representation or warranty,  other than
those  in  Sections   3.1(a)  (first  sentence  to  the  extent  it  relates  to
capitalization  or  ownership),  3.1(b),  3.2(a),  3.3 (except the last sentence
thereof),  3.11 (or any other  representation or warranty contained in Section 3
to the extent,  but only to the extent,  that it relates to Taxes),  3.12, 3.18,
3.36, 3.37.1 and 3.37.2 (first sentence only),  unless on or before December 31,
1998, Buyer notifies the

                                       51





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



respective   Group   Representative   named  in  Section   6.4  hereof   ("Group
Representative")  in writing of a claim  specifying  the  factual  basis of that
claim in reasonable detail to the extent then known by Buyer.

                  5.5.2 A claim  with  respect  to  Sections  3.11 (or any other
representation or warranty contained in Section 3 to the extent, but only to the
extent,  that it  relates to Taxes) or 3.12 may be made at any time on or before
the later of (i) the sixtieth (60th) day after the date upon which the liability
to which any such  claim may  relate is  barred by all  applicable  statutes  of
limitation and (ii) the sixtieth  (60th) day after the date upon which any claim
for refund or credit related to such claim is barred by all applicable  statutes
of  limitations  (after taking into effect any waiver or extensions  thereof for
any reason).

                  5.5.3 A claim with  respect to Section 3.18 may be made at any
time on or before July 21, 2002.

                  5.5.4 A claim with respect to Sections  3.1(a) (first sentence
to the extent it relates to capitalization or ownership),  3.1(b),  3.2(a),  3.3
(except the last sentence  thereof),  3.36,  3.37.1 and 3.37.2  (first  sentence
only) may be made at any time.

                  5.5.5 A claim for  indemnification  or reimbursement not based
upon any  representation  or  warranty  (in other  words,  a claim  based upon a
covenant, agreement, obligation or undertaking) may be made at any time.

                  5.5.6 Buyer will have no liability for  indemnification  under
this Section 5 with  respect to any  representation  or  warranty,  unless on or
before  December 31, 1998  Stockholders  notify Buyer of a claim  specifying the
factual  basis of that claim in  reasonable  detail to the extent  then known by
Stockholders.

                  5.5.7  Anything  contained in this Section 5.5 to the contrary
notwithstanding,  the parties acknowledge and agree that this Section 5.5 is not
intended to increase or extend any statute of limitations  otherwise  applicable
to any matter referred to herein.

         5.6      LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT--STOCKHOLDERS.

                  5.6.1 Stockholders will have no liability for  indemnification
under  this  Section 5 with  respect to the  matters  described  in clauses  (a)
(except to the extent set forth in Section  5.6.2) or (b) of Section 5.2,  until
the total of all Damages  with  respect to such  matters  exceeds  $50,000  (the
"Basket"),  whereupon the full amount of such Damages in excess of $50,000 shall
be recoverable in accordance with the terms hereof.


                                       52




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  5.6.2 The Basket  shall not apply with  respect to the matters
described  in clause  (a) of  Section  5.2 to the  extent  they are based upon a
Breach or asserted Breach of any of the representations and warranties contained
in Sections 3.1(a) (first sentence to the extent it relates to capitalization or
ownership), 3.1(b), 3.2(a), 3.3 (except the last sentence thereof), 3.11 (or any
other  representation or warranty contained in Section 3 to the extent, but only
to the extent,  that it relates to Taxes),  3.12, 3.18,  3.36,  3.37.1 or 3.37.2
(first sentence only).

                  5.6.3 Except to the extent expressly  provided in Section 5.7,
there shall be no limitation upon  Stockholders'  liability for  indemnification
under  this  Section 5 (and the  Basket  shall not  apply)  with  respect to the
matters  described in clauses (c) or (d) of Section 5.2 or (except to the extent
expressly set forth therein) in Section 5.3.

                  5.6.4 Except to the extent expressly  provided in Section 5.7,
Stockholders will have liability for  indemnification  under this Section 5 with
respect to the matters  described  in clause (e) of Section 5.2 and with respect
to the  representations  and  warranties set forth in Section 3.11 (or any other
representation or warranty contained in Section 3 to the extent, but only to the
extent,  that it relates to Taxes)  for only one half of the first  $250,000  in
Damages  (and no more) with  respect to such  matters  (for a maximum  aggregate
liability to such  Stockholders of no greater than $125,000),  such liability to
be paid on a dollar-  for-dollar  basis  with  Buyer in  respect  of such  first
$250,000 in Damages;  provided,  however, that the Basket shall not apply to the
indemnification payable pursuant to clause (e) of Section 5.2 or with respect to
the  representations  and  warranties  set forth in  Section  3.11 (or any other
representation or warranty contained in Section 3 to the extent, but only to the
extent, that it relates to Taxes).

                  5.6.5 Notwithstanding  anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary,  this Section 5.6 will not apply (including,  without  limitation,
the  Basket)  to (i) any Breach or  asserted  Breach by any  Stockholder  of any
covenant,  agreement,   obligation  or  undertaking  (as  distinguished  from  a
representation  or  warranty),  or  (ii)  any  fraud  by  any  Stockholder,  and
Stockholders  will be liable for all Damages  (without  limitation  of any sort,
except to the extent  expressly  provided in Section  5.7) with  respect to such
Breaches  and/or  asserted  Breaches and/or fraud referred to in clauses (i) and
(ii) of this sentence.

         5.7 CERTAIN PROVISIONS  REGARDING  INDEMNIFICATION.  All obligations of
Stockholders pursuant to this Section 5 shall be several as to the three Groups,
so that

                  (i) the Merrill Lynch Group shall be severally responsible and
         liable for 7.5% of any  indemnification  liability under this Section 5
         and any Damages relating thereto,


                                       53




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  (ii) the Rothschild  Group shall be severally  responsible and
         liable for 50.875% of any indemnification  liability under this Section
         5 and any Damages  relating  thereto (but  Nathaniel de Rothschild  and
         Donald B. Elitzer shall be jointly and severally responsible and liable
         for such 50.875% of any indemnification  liability under this Section 5
         and any Damages relating  thereto for which any Stockholder  which is a
         member of the  Rothschild  Group may be  liable  hereunder,  including,
         without limitation,  for any liability for Breach or asserted Breach of
         any representation and warranty under Section 3.37 hereof. It is agreed
         that:

                           (a) of the  members  of the  Rothschild  Group,  only
                  Nathaniel  de  Rothschild  and  Donald  B.  Elitzer  (each,  a
                  "Recourse Member") shall be responsible as provided herein and
                  may have liability hereunder;

                           (b) no other members of the Rothschild Group (each, a
                  "Non-Recourse Member") shall be responsible as provided herein
                  or shall have any liability hereunder;

                           (c)  no  Proceeding  shall  be  brought  against  any
                  Non-Recourse  Member naming him a party on grounds that he may
                  be  responsible  as  provided  herein  or may  have  liability
                  hereunder,  except that if a  Non-Recourse  Member  shall be a
                  necessary or indispensable named party to a Proceeding seeking
                  recourse against a Recourse Member,  the following rules shall
                  govern:

                                    (I) only such Non-Recourse  Members as shall
                           be  necessary  or   indispensable   parties  to  such
                           Proceeding may be named as parties;

                                    (II) service of process upon such  necessary
                           or   indispensable   Non-Recourse   Members  in  such
                           Proceeding  shall be effected by service  upon either
                           of the Recourse Members (except as otherwise provided
                           in Section 6.5), each of whom  individually is hereby
                           designated  by such  Non-Recourse  Member (and by the
                           other Recourse  Member) as his irrevocable  agent for
                           the receipt of such process; and

                                    (III) no order or  judgment  arising  out of
                           any such  Proceeding  shall be  enforced  or executed
                           against any  Non-Recourse  Member or his assets,  but
                           shall be  enforced  or  executed  solely  against the
                           Recourse  Members,  jointly and severally,  and their
                           respective assets, to which enforcement and execution
                           each  Recourse  Member hereby  irrevocably  expressly
                           consents; and


                                       54





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  (iii) the Gluckow  Group shall be  severally  responsible  and
         liable for 41.625% of any indemnification  liability under this Section
         5 and any  Damages  relating  thereto  (but each of the  members of the
         Gluckow Group shall be jointly and severally responsible and liable for
         41.625% of any  indemnification  liability under this Section 5 and any
         Damages relating thereto).

Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  provisions of this Section 5.7, (i) in no event
shall the aggregate liability for indemnification for all Stockholders hereunder
exceed the Purchase Price and (ii) Merrill Lynch Business Capital, Inc. shall in
no event have any liability for  indemnification in excess of the portion of the
Purchase Price incurred by it.

         5.8  LIMITATIONS  ON  AMOUNT--BUYER.  Buyer will have no liability  for
indemnification  under this Section 5 with  respect to the matters  described in
clause (a) or (b) of Section 5.4 (except for a failure to pay all or any portion
of the  Purchase  Price set forth in Section 2.2 hereof)  until the total of all
Damages with respect to such matters exceeds $50,000,  whereupon the full amount
of such Damages in excess of $50,000 shall be recoverable in accordance with the
terms  hereof.  However,  this  Section  5.8 will not apply to (i) any Breach or
asserted Breach by Buyer of any covenant,  agreement,  obligation or undertaking
(as  distinguished  from a  representation  or  warranty),  or (ii) any fraud by
Buyer,  and Buyer will be liable for all Damages with  respect to such  Breaches
and/or  asserted  Breaches  and/or fraud  referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of
this sentence.

         5.9      PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION--THIRD PARTY CLAIMS.

                  (a)  Promptly  after  receipt by an  indemnified  party  under
Section 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding  against
it,  such  indemnified  party  will,  if a  claim  is  to  be  made  against  an
indemnifying party under such Section,  give notice to the indemnifying party of
the commencement of such claim, but the failure to notify the indemnifying party
will not relieve the indemnifying party of any liability that it may have to any
indemnified party, except to the extent that the indemnifying party demonstrates
that the defense of such action is prejudiced by the indemnified party's failure
to give such notice.

                  (b) If any Proceeding referred to in Section 5.9(a) is brought
against an indemnified  party and it gives notice to the  indemnifying  party of
the commencement of such Proceeding,  the indemnifying party will be entitled to
participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it wishes (unless (i) the
indemnifying  party is also a party to such Proceeding and the indemnified party
determines in good faith that joint  representation  would be inappropriate,  or
(ii)  the  indemnifying  party  fails to  provide  reasonable  assurance  to the
indemnified  party of its  financial  capacity  to defend  such  Proceeding  and
provide indemnification with respect to such Proceeding),  to assume the defense
of such Proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party
and, after notice from the

                                       55





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



indemnifying  party to the  indemnified  party of its  election  to  assume  the
defense of such  Proceeding,  the  indemnifying  party  will not,  as long as it
diligently  conducts such defense, be liable to the indemnified party under this
Section 5 for any fees of other  counsel or any other  expenses  with respect to
the  defense  of such  Proceeding,  in each case  subsequently  incurred  by the
indemnified party in connection with the defense of such Proceeding,  other than
reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs of  investigation.  If the  indemnifying  party
assumes the defense of a Proceeding,  no compromise or settlement of such claims
may be effected  by the  indemnifying  party  without  the  indemnified  party's
consent  unless (A) there is no finding or admission  of any  violation of Legal
Requirements  or any  violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any
other claims that may be made against the  indemnified  party,  and (B) the sole
relief  provided is monetary  damages that are paid in full by the  indemnifying
party and (C) the  indemnified  party will have no liability with respect to any
compromise or settlement of such claims effected  without its consent other than
the giving of a general  release with respect to specific claims covered in such
settled claim. If notice is given to an indemnifying  party of the  commencement
of any Proceeding and the indemnifying  party does not, within fifteen (15) days
after the  indemnified  party's notice is given,  give notice to the indemnified
party of its election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the indemnifying
party  will  be  bound  by any  determination  made in  such  Proceeding  or any
compromise or settlement effected by the indemnified party.

                  (c)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if an indemnified  party
determines  in  good  faith  that  there  is a  reasonable  probability  that  a
Proceeding may adversely  affect it or its Affiliates  other than as a result of
monetary  damages for which it would be entitled to  indemnification  under this
Agreement,  the  indemnified  party may,  by notice to the  indemnifying  party,
assume the exclusive right to defend, compromise, or settle such Proceeding, but
the indemnifying party will not be bound by any determination of a Proceeding so
defended or any compromise or settlement effected without its consent (which may
not be unreasonably withheld).

                  (d)   Stockholders   hereby   irrevocably   consent   to   the
non-exclusive  jurisdiction of any court in which a Proceeding is brought by any
Stockholder  against any  Indemnified  Person for  purposes of any claim that an
Indemnified Person may have under this Agreement with respect to such Proceeding
or the matters alleged therein or for purposes of making any other claim against
any Stockholder  under this  Agreement,  and agree that process may be served on
Stockholders with respect to such a claim anywhere in the world.

         5.10  PROCEDURE  FOR   INDEMNIFICATION--OTHER   CLAIMS.   A  claim  for
indemnification for any matter not involving a third-party claim may be asserted
by written notice to the applicable Group Representative  naming the Person from
whom indemnification is sought.


                                       56





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         5.11  CERTAIN  RIGHTS AND REMEDIES  NOT  AFFECTED.  Except for remedies
based upon fraud and except for specific  performance  and injunctive  remedies,
and  except  for claims  pursuant  to the  Employment  Agreements,  the  Set-Off
Agreements,  the Stockholders'  Releases,  the Designated Contract Releases, the
Buyer's Releases,  the New Lease and any agreements  relating to the release and
termination  of the Existing  Leases,  the  remedies  provided in this Section 5
constitute the sole and exclusive remedies for recovery against the indemnifying
party   hereunder  (i)  based  upon  the  Breach  or  asserted   Breach  of  any
representation or warranty of any indemnifying  party contained herein or in any
other Closing Document furnished by such party in connection  herewith,  or (ii)
based  upon the  failure of any  indemnifying  party to  perform  any  covenant,
agreement,  obligation or undertaking (as distinguished from a representation or
warranty) of such indemnifying  party required by the terms of this Agreement or
any other such Closing Document.

6.       GENERAL PROVISIONS

         6.1  EXPENSES.  Except as set forth in Section 5.2 and this Section 6.1
and Part 6.1 of the  Disclosure  Letter,  (i) Buyer  will bear its own costs and
expenses and each of the  Stockholders  will bear its own costs and expenses and
the Stockholders  shall jointly and severally bear the costs and expenses of the
Company  (including,  without  limitation,  any  broker's or  finder's  fees) in
connection with the  negotiation and the  consummation of this Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions,  and, (ii) no costs or expenses of the Company or any
Stockholder  relating to the purchase and sale of the Company  Shares  hereunder
and the Contemplated Transactions hereby, including, without limitation,  legal,
accounting or other professional  expenses of the Company or the Stockholders or
the lessor of any real  property to the Company,  shall be charged to or paid by
the Company or Buyer on or after the date of the Interim Balance Sheet.

         6.2  PUBLIC  ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Except  as  required  by law,  none of the
Stockholders  shall,  directly or indirectly,  issue any press release, or other
public announcement, comment or other communication to any Person concerning the
Contemplated Transactions without the prior approval of Buyer. Buyer may, in its
discretion,  issue a  press  release  or make  such  other  public  announcement
describing the Contemplated Transactions after notice to Jack M. Platt, Esquire,
principal  counsel  to the  Stockholders,  or such  other  one  attorney  as the
majority in interest of Stockholders shall designate  ("Stockholders'  Principal
Counsel"),  and a  reasonable  opportunity  (taking  into effect the  applicable
securities laws and applicable stock exchange requirements and the timeliness of
disclosure  required  thereby) for him to review and provide  comments  thereon.
Each of the Buyer and the  Stockholders  shall  direct  its  Representatives  to
comply with the  provisions  of this  Section 6.2.  Buyer shall  discuss in good
faith  with  Stockholders'  Principal  Counsel  the nature and scope of any such
press  release  or  public  announcement;  provided,  however,  that  the  final
determinations  as to the content and timing  thereof  shall remain  solely with
Buyer, except for information about

                                       57





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



Stockholders and the Company,  which,  subject to applicable legal  requirements
(as  reasonably  determined  by  Buyer),  shall  be  subject  to the  review  of
Stockholders' Principal Counsel.

         6.3  CONFIDENTIALITY.  The  Stockholders  acknowledge  that  Buyer is a
publicly-traded  company,  and the  Stockholders  agree  that  they will hold in
strict  confidence,  and will not use, any  confidential or proprietary  data or
information  obtained  from Buyer  with  respect to its  business  or  financial
condition  except for the purpose of evaluating,  negotiating and completing the
transaction contemplated hereby. Information generally known in Buyer's industry
or which has been  disclosed to the  Stockholders  by third parties which have a
right to do so shall not be deemed  confidential or proprietary  information for
purposes of this Agreement.

         6.4 NOTICES. All notices,  consents,  waivers, and other communications
under this  Agreement  must be in  writing  and will be deemed to have been duly
given when (a) delivered by hand (with  written  confirmation  of receipt),  (b)
sent by telecopier (with written confirmation of receipt),  provided that a copy
is promptly mailed by certified mail,  return receipt  requested,(c)  if sent by
registered  or certified  mail,  upon the sooner of the date on which receipt is
acknowledged  or the  expiration  of three (3)  Business  Days after  deposit in
United States post office facilities properly addressed with postage prepaid, or
(d) when received by the addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight
delivery service (receipt requested),  in each case to the appropriate addresses
and  telecopier  numbers  set  forth  below  (or to  such  other  addresses  and
telecopier numbers as a party may designate by notice to the other parties):

TO BUYER:                   Courier Corporation
                            15 Wellman Avenue
                            North Chelmsford, MA 01863
                            Attn:  James F. Conway III, President
                            Facsimile: (508) 251-0482

With a copy to:             Goodwin, Procter & Hoar  LLP
                            Exchange Place
                            Boston, MA  02109
                            Attn:  F. Beirne Lovely, Jr., P.C.
                            Facsimile: (617) 523-1231

TO COMPANY:                 Book-mart Press, Inc.
                            2001 42nd Street
                            North Bergen, NJ   07047
                            Attn:  Treasurer
                            Facsimile: (201) 864-7559


                                       58





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





With a copy to:             Goodwin, Procter & Hoar  LLP
                            Exchange Place
                            Boston, MA  02109
                            Attn:  F. Beirne Lovely, Jr., P.C.
                            Facsimile: (617) 523-1231

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:       For purposes of this Agreement,  the respective Group
- -------------------        Representative for notices to or by each Group (which
                           for all purposes  hereof shall  constitute  notice to
                           all Stockholders, it being understood and agreed that
                           the respective Group  Representative  shall have sole
                           and full authority to act on behalf of each member of
                           its Group  with  respect  to all  matters  under this
                           Agreement) shall be as follows:

                           Merrill Lynch Group:  Until August 10, 1997:
                                                 Mr. Jeff A. Rosencranz
                                                 Merrill Lynch Private Sales
                                                   & Divestitures
                                                 33 W. Monroe Street, 22nd Floor
                                                 Chicago, IL 60603
                                                 Facsimile: (312) 368-4352

                                                 After August 10, 1997:
                                                 Mr. Jeff A. Rosencranz
                                                 Merrill Lynch Private Sales
                                                    & Divestitures
                                                 Sears Tower
                                                 233 South Wacker Drive
                                                 Chicago, IL 60608
                                                 Facsimile: (312) 928-8842

                           Gluckow Group:        Mr Gary S. Gluckow
                                                 Hemlock Drive
                                                 Alpine, NJ 07620
                                                 Facsimile:  (201) 784-4035


                                       59





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





                          Rothschild Group:  Mr. Nathaniel de Rothschild
                                             Nathaniel de Rothschild Holdings
                                             767 Fifth Avenue
                                             46th Floor
                                             New York, NY 10153
                                             Facsimile: (212) 826-1236

                           Any  Group  Representative  (or  its  notice  address
                           hereunder)  may be  changed  by a  written  notice to
                           Buyer and the Company  pursuant  to this  Section 6.4
                           signed by a majority  in  interest  of the members of
                           such Group.

With a copy to:            Jack M. Platt, Esq.
                           Attorney At Law
                           One Rockefeller Plaza
                           New York, New York 10020
                           Facsimile: (212) 332-3315

TO:  DONALD ELITZER:       Mr. Donald B. Elitzer
                           39 Alford Road
                           Great Barrington, MA 02130
                           Tel:  (413) 528-4693
                           Facsimile: (413) 528-1289

TO:  NATHANIEL de ROTHSCHILD:  As set forth above.


In each case with a copy to:  Jack M. Platt, Esq.
                              at the address set forth above.

Any notice given hereunder may be given on behalf of any party by his counsel or
other authorized Representatives.

         6.5 JURISDICTION;  SERVICE OF PROCESS. Any action or proceeding seeking
to  enforce  any  provision  of,  or based on any  right  arising  out of,  this
Agreement  may be brought  against any of the parties in the courts of the State
of New Jersey,  or, in the United States  District Court for the District of New
Jersey, and each of the parties consents to the personal  jurisdiction,  service
of  process,  venue  and New  Jersey  jurisdiction  of such  courts  (and of the
appropriate  appellate  courts) in any such action or proceeding  and waives any
objection to venue laid therein. Process in any action or proceeding referred to
in the preceding sentence may be served on any party anywhere in the world. Each
Stockholder who is a member of the


                                       60





                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


Rothschild Group hereby irrevocably designates and appoints each of Nathaniel de
Rothschild  and Donald B. Elitzer (and Mr. de Rothschild  and Mr. Elitzer hereby
each  irrevocably  so  designates  and appoints  the other) at their  respective
addresses  set forth in  Section  6.4 of this  Agreement  as such  Stockholder's
exclusive  agent to  receive  for and on his  behalf  service  of process in any
Proceeding  seeking to enforce any  provision  of, or based on any right arising
out of, this  Agreement  or any of the other  Stockholders'  Closing  Documents.
Except as set forth in this  sentence  and the  following  sentence,  service of
process shall be effectively served on said Stockholders only if served upon one
of said  agents,  and Buyer and the  Company  agree that  (unless  Buyer and the
Company  are unable to serve such  process on either  agent  after  using  their
respective  Best Efforts for 10 days  (including an attempted  communication  by
telephone)) any such process, if served personally upon said Stockholder,  shall
be null and  void.  In the event of any such  inability  to  successfully  serve
process  on one of such  agents,  service  of  process  may  thereafter  be made
personally upon any such Stockholder as provided herein. Nathaniel de Rothschild
and Donald B. Elitzer each hereby irrevocably  accepts the above designation and
appointment as agent for service of process and each hereby  consents to service
of  process  made in the  manner  provided  for the giving of notices in Section
6.4(c), and any process so given shall constitute and be deemed good, proper and
effective service upon such Person.

         6.6 FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  The parties agree (a) to furnish upon request
to each other such further information, (b) to execute and deliver to each other
such other documents, and (c) to do such other acts and things, all as the other
party may reasonably  request (but which shall not cause the complying  party to
incur any  unreasonable  expense)  for the purpose of carrying out the intent of
this Agreement and the documents referred to in this Agreement.

         6.7 WAIVER.  The rights and  remedies of the parties to this  Agreement
are  cumulative  and not  alternative.  Neither the failure nor any delay by any
party in exercising any right,  power,  or privilege under this Agreement or the
documents  referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right,
power, or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power,
or privilege will preclude any other or further  exercise of such right,  power,
or privilege or the exercise of any other right,  power,  or  privilege.  To the
maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of
this Agreement or the documents  referred to in this Agreement can be discharged
by one party,  in whole or in part, by a waiver or  renunciation of the claim or
right  unless in writing  signed by the other  party;  (b) no waiver that may be
given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it
is given;  and (c) no  notice  to or demand on one party  will be deemed to be a
waiver of any  obligation of such party or of the right of the party giving such
notice or demand to take further  action without notice or demand as provided in
this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement.


                                       61



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         6.8 ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND  MODIFICATION.  This Agreement  supersedes all
prior  agreements  between the parties  with  respect to its subject  matter and
constitutes  (along with the  documents  referred to in this  Agreement  and any
agreements  executed  contemporaneously   herewith)  a  complete  and  exclusive
statement of the terms of the agreement  between the parties with respect to its
subject matter.  This Agreement may not be amended except by a written agreement
executed by the party to be charged with the amendment.

         6.9      DISCLOSURE LETTER

                  (a)  The  disclosures  in  the  Disclosure   Letter  or  Buyer
Disclosure  Letter, as the case may be, relate only to the  representations  and
warranties  in the  subsection  of the  Section of the  Agreement  to which they
expressly  relate  and  not to any  other  representation  or  warranty  in this
Agreement.

                  (b) In the event of any  inconsistency  between the statements
in the body of this  Agreement  and  those  in the  Disclosure  Letter  or Buyer
Disclosure  Letter,  as the case may be (other than an exception  expressly  set
forth as such in the Disclosure  Letter or Buyer Disclosure  Letter, as the case
may be, with respect to a specifically  identified  representation or warranty),
the statements in the body of this Agreement will control.

         6.10     ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS.
Neither  party may assign any of its rights  under this  Agreement  without  the
prior  consent  of the other  parties  except  that  Buyer may assign any of its
rights  under this  Agreement  to any direct or  indirect  Subsidiary  of Buyer.
Subject to the preceding  sentence,  this Agreement will apply to, be binding in
all respects  upon,  and inure to the benefit of the  successors  and  permitted
assigns of the parties.  Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will
be construed to give any Person  other than the parties to this  Agreement  (and
the Company on and after the Closing Date) any legal or equitable right, remedy,
or claim  under or with  respect  to this  Agreement  or any  provision  of this
Agreement.  This  Agreement and all of its provisions and conditions are for the
sole and exclusive  benefit of the parties to this Agreement (and the Company on
and  after the  Closing  Date) and their  respective  successors  and  permitted
assigns,  (and the  parties  intend that there be no  third-party  beneficiaries
except to the extent of those Indemnified Persons identified in Section 5.2, but
only to the extent of the indemnification provided thereby).

         6.11  SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid
or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of
this  Agreement  will remain in full force and  effect.  Any  provision  of this
Agreement  held invalid or  unenforceable  only in part or degree will remain in
full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.


                                       62




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT





         6.12 SECTION HEADINGS,  CONSTRUCTION.  The headings of Sections in this
Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction
or  interpretation.  All  references  to  "Section" or  "Sections"  refer to the
corresponding  Section or  Sections  of this  Agreement.  All words used in this
Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the  circumstances
require.  Unless otherwise  expressly  provided,  the words "including,  without
limitation," do not limit the preceding words or terms.

         6.13  GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the
State of New York (except with respect to matters  relating to the  Environment,
with  respect  to which  the  internal  laws of New  Jersey  shall  apply  where
applicable) without regard to conflicts of laws principles.

         6.14 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties agree that it would be difficult
to measure  damages which might result from a breach of this Agreement by any of
the Stockholders and that money damages would be an inadequate remedy for such a
breach. Accordingly, if there is a breach or proposed breach of any provision of
this Agreement by any of the Stockholders,  Buyer shall be entitled, in addition
to any other remedies  which it may have, to an injunction or other  appropriate
equitable  relief to restrain such breach without having to show or prove actual
damage to Buyer.

         6.15  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in one or  more
counterparts,  each of  which  will be  deemed  to be an  original  copy of this
Agreement and all of which,  when taken  together,  will be deemed to constitute
one and the same  agreement.  In order to prove the existence of this Agreement,
however,  it shall only be  necessary to produce a  counterpart  signed by or on
behalf of each party hereto.

                                       63




                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date set forth by their duly authorized representatives.


                                            BUYER:

                                            COURIER CORPORATION


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            By:    James F. Conway III
                                            Title: Chairman, President and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer


                                            STOCKHOLDERS:


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Seymour E. Gluckow



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Gary S. Gluckow



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Nili de Rothschild*



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Nathaniel de Rothschild


                                            ERER TRUST
                                            By: Marigny Inc., Trustee

                                            By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Director


*By Nathaniel de Rothschild as attorney-in-fact


                                       64



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT







                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Donald B. Elitzer*



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Daniel A. Zilkha*



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Mark A. Boyar*



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Pierre Valla*

                                            Mousseteek Venture


                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Charles Heilbronn, a partner



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Donald E. Zilkha*

                                            Benjamin 1990 Trust


                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Pierre Valla, Trustee

                                            Eva 1990 Trust


                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Pierre Valla, Trustee


*By Nathaniel de Rothschild as attorney-in-fact


                                       65



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT








                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Irene R. Miller*



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Anoush Khoshkish*

                                            MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS
                                            CAPITAL, INC.


                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Title:
                                                  ------------------------------

*By Nathaniel de Rothschild as attorney-in-fact.


                                       66



                                                   COURIER/BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
                                                        STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                                                                    

                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1
                                                                     


                    LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS COMPANY SHARES OWNED
                    -----------------------------------------


                                                  OWNERSHIP
                                                  OF COMMON
NAME AND ADDRESS OF STOCKHOLDER                     SHARES
- ----------------------------------------          ---------
Seymour E. Gluckow                                    225
163 Wood Road
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
Gary S. Gluckow                                       225
Hemlock Drive
Alpine, NJ 07620
Nili de Rothschild*                                    20
Nathaniel de Rothschild*                               30
Erer Trust*                                           300
Donald B. Elitzer*                                    110
Daniel A. Zilkha*                                      10
Mark A. Boyar*                                         10
Pierre Valla*                                          10
Mousseteek Venture*                                    10
Donald E. Zilkha*                                      10
Benjamin 1990 Trust*                                   15
Eva 1990 Trust*                                        15
Irene R. Miller and Anoush                             10
Khoshkish, JTWROS*
Merrill Lynch Business Capital, Inc.                 81.081
Same address as set forth in Section 6.4
hereof
==============================================  ================
TOTAL:                                             1,081.081
==============================================  ================
      *  -  addresses  of  all  asterisked  Stockholders  is  c/o  Nathaniel  de
Rothschild at the address set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission