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                                  EXHIBIT   24

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY





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                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints THOMAS R.  CARMODY, W. C.
DOWNER AND DAWN M. GRAY, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual Report
on Form 10-K of American Business Products, Inc., for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994, and any and all amendments to such Annual report on Form
10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New
York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite or necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, lawfully may do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

                 This 8th day of February, 1995.



         /s/ F. Duane Ackerman                     /s/ Robert W. Gundeck   
         -----------------------                   ------------------------
         F. Duane Ackerman                         Robert W. Gundeck


         /s/ John E. Aderhold                      /s/ Hollis L. Harris  
         -----------------------                   -----------------------
         John E. Aderhold                          Hollis L. Harris

         /s/ W. Joseph Biggers                     /s/ W. Stell Huie      
         -----------------------                   -----------------------
         W. Joseph Biggers                         W. Stell Huie


         /s/ Thomas R. Carmody                     /s/ Thomas F. Keller  
         -----------------------                   ----------------------
         Thomas R. Carmody                         Thomas F. Keller


         /s/ Henry Curtis, VII                     /s/ G. Harold Northrop
         -----------------------                   ----------------------
         Henry Curtis, VII                         G. Harold Northrop


         /s/ Herbert J. Dickson                    /s/ Marvin Schmalzried
         -----------------------                   ----------------------
         Herbert J. Dickson                        Marvin Schmalzried