PROMPTLY COMPLETE AND RETURN THE
                      PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM BELOW
                            IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED
 
                   Carefully fold & detach along perforation

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD
                           ALCO STANDARD CORPORATION
 
  The undersigned hereby appoints O. Gordon Brewer, Jr., J. Kenneth Croney and
Hugh G. Moulton, or any of them, each with power of substitution, as proxies for
the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock of Alco
Standard Corporation which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 25, 1996, and any adjournments
thereof, as hereinafter specified and, in their discretion, upon such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting. The undersigned hereby revokes
all proxies heretofore given.

  This proxy also provides voting instructions for shares held for the account
of the undersigned in the Alco Standard Corporation Retirement Savings Plan or
the Registered Retirement Savings Plan for Canadian Employees (the "Plans"). The
trustees for the Plans will vote these shares as directed provided you sign and
return a proxy containing your voting instructions by January 23, 1996. IF NO
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE RECEIVED, THE TRUSTEES OF THE PLANS MAY VOTE YOUR SHARES
IN THEIR DISCRETION (IN THE ABSENCE OF VOTING INSTRUCTIONS, THE TRUSTEES WILL
GENERALLY VOTE YOUR SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS). SHARES OWNED BY YOU OTHER THAN THOSE HELD IN THE PLANS WILL BE VOTED
ONLY IF YOU SIGN AND RETURN A PROXY, OR ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE BY BALLOT.
IF YOU RETURN A PROXY AND FAIL TO SPECIFY A CHOICE ON ANY MATTER, YOUR SHARES
WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

  1. Election of Directors (Mark only one)
 
         [_] Vote FOR all nominees listed below and recommended by the 
             Board of Directors (except as directed to the contrary below)

         [_] Vote WITHHELD from all nominees

 
         Paul J. Darling, II, William F. Drake, Jr., James J. Forese, 
 Frederick S. Hammer, Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer, Dana G. Mead, Ray B. Mundt, 
               Paul C. O'Neill, Rogelio G. Sada, John E. Stuart
    INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, 
            WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (continued, and to be signed, on other side)
 

 
                       PROMPTLY COMPLETE AND RETURN THE
                      PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM BELOW
                           IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED
 
                   Carefully fold & detach along perforation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
                          (continued from other side)
                                                              NO.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal to Amend Alco's
Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares
from 150 million to 300 million:

                             FOR   AGAINST  ABSTAIN
                             [_]     [_]      [_]
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal to amend Alco's Code
of Regulations to permit the Board to change number of directors (between seven
and sixteen):
 
                             FOR   AGAINST  ABSTAIN
                             [_]     [_]      [_]
 
 
PLEASE SIGN, DATE, 
DETACH AND RETURN 
THIS PROXY, USING THE 
ENCLOSED POSTAGE 
PREPAID REPLY ENVELOPE.
 
                         Dated _________________ SIGN HERE _____________________
                         When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, 
                         trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. 
                         If the signer is a corporation, sign the full 
                         corporate name by duly authorized officer.