EXHIBIT 10.13

                                FIRST AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                          SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT dated as of February 4, 1997 is entered into by and 
among PEN-TAB INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), Pen-Tab
Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Pen-Tab Industries, Inc.), a Virginia 
corporation (the "Parent") and BANK OF AMERICA ILLINOIS (the "Bank").

                             W I T N E S S E T H:
                             - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Parent and the Bank are parties to a certain 
Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of February 4,
1997 (herein called the "Credit Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Parent wish to amend the Credit Agreement to 
contract the Termination Date and remove the commitment fee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and intending to be 
legally bound hereby, the Borrower, the Parent and the Bank hereby agree as 
follows:

     SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS
                ----------

     In reliance on the Borrower's and the Parent's warranties set forth in 
Section 2 below, as of the date hereof the Credit Agreement is amended as 
- --------- 
follows:


     (a)   the definition of Termination Date in Section 1.1 of the Credit 
Agreement is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     "Termination Date" means February 3, 1998.

     (b)   Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement is amended to read in its 
entirety as follows:

     Section 2.7 Intentionally Deleted.

     SECTION 2.        WARRANTIES.
                       ----------

     To induce the Bank to enter into this Amendment, the Borrower and the 
Parent warrant to the Bank as of the date hereof that:

 
           (a)   The representations and warranties contained in the Credit
     Agreement and the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material
     respects on and as of the date hereof (except to the extent such
     representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier date); and

           (b)   No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

           SECTION 3.  GENERAL.
                       -------

           (a)   Terms used but not otherwise defined herein are used herein as 
defined in the Credit Agreement.

           (b)   As hereby modified, the Credit Agreement shall remain in full 
force and effect and is hereby ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects.

           (c)   This Amendment shall be binding upon and shall inure to the 
benefit of the Borrower, the Parent and the Bank and the respective successors 
and assigns of such Persons.

           (d)   This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts 
and by the different parties on separate counterparts, and each such counterpart
shall be deemed to be and original, but all such counterparts shall together 
constitute but one and the same Amendment.



                                       2



 
 
Delivered at Chicago, Illinois, as of the date and year first above written.

                                        
                                        BANK OF AMERICA ILLINOIS

                                        By: /s/ L. Richard D. Donato
                                           ----------------------------- 
                                        Name:  L. Richard D. Donato
                                        Title: Vice President   


                                        PEN-TAB INDUSTRIES, INC., a       
                                        Delaware corporation              
                                                                          
                                        By: /s/ William Leary             
                                           -----------------------------   
                                        Name:  William Leary              
                                        Title: Vice President             
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                        PEN-TAB HOLDINGS, INC. (formerly  
                                        know as Pen-Tab Industries, Inc.),
                                        a Virginia Corporation            
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                        By: /s/ William Leary             
                                           -----------------------------  
                                        Name:  William Leary              
                                        Title: Vice President              




                                       3