1





                       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, 1999

                        AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


   GEORGIA                       1-7088                         58-1030529
  (State of               (Commission File No.)               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation)                                               Identification No.)


                       2100 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 1200
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (770) 953-8300
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


   2


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         On July 21, 1999, the Registrant announced that Larry Gellerstedt,
         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will take a temporary leave of
         absence to care for a medical condition.

         Details are contained in the Press Release, issued July 21, 1999 filed
         as Exhibit 99 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c)      Exhibits:

         The following exhibit is filed herewith:



         EXHIBIT NO.                              DESCRIPTION
         -----------                              -----------

                               
               99                 Press Release, issued July 21, 1999 (without
                                  financial statements)


                                    SIGNATURE

         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, thereunto duly authorized.



                                    AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.



Dated:  July 26, 1999               /s/ Richard G. Smith
                                    --------------------
                                    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



                                       2
   3


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


         The following exhibits are filed as part of this Report.



        EXHIBIT NO.                    DESCRIPTION                   PAGE NO.
        -----------                    -----------                   --------

                        
             99            Press Release, issued July 21, 1999
                             (without financial statements)




                                       3