Date: Wed, 17 Sep 1997 21:04:18 -0400
From: Virginia Roy <virginia@FAXON.CA>
Subject: Faxon Canada and Periodica Announcement

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Virginia Roy                     Celine Guimont
          (416) 440-8900                   (514) 274-5468
          royv@faxon.ca                    info@periodica.qc.ca

              FAXON CANADA LTD. AND PERIODICA ANNOUNCE
                      PURCHASE AGREEMENT

London, Ontario (September 17, 1997) -- Faxon Canada, a pre-eminent Canadian
subscription management and information services company and Periodica,
the largest provider of French language periodicals and newspapers in North
America, announced today that Faxon Canada will purchase Periodica's Quebec-
based operation.

Periodica, founded in 1946, has built a considerable reputation for product
and service excellence throughout the library community in Quebec and
other parts of Canada. Over the last few years, and in response to
changing client requirements, Periodica expanded its range of services to
include sourcing and distribution of French language videos, books
and multimedia CD ROM. They are now the single largest distributor
of French language materials in North America.

"We are very pleased with the agreement," said John Ashby, Faxon Canada's
Executive Vice-President. "Faxon Canada and Periodica have very similar
approaches to doing business and we both have strong commitments to the
library markets we serve." "Its a good fit," he added. Celine Guimont,
Periodica's General Manager, agreed with Mr. Ashby and added, "we are
looking forward to joining forces with Faxon Canada and to becoming part
of the global Dawson family."

The acquisition took effect September 12, 1997. It will be business
as usual for Periodica and Periodica's clients although it is Faxon
Canada's future intent to integrate Periodica's offices and those
of its Montreal operation. Faxon Canada has maintained an office
in Montreal since 1985.

Faxon Canada is a subscription management and acquisition company
and forms the Canadian operating arm of Dawson Holdings PLC, an
information services company founded in 1809. Dawson fully supports
Faxon Canada's acquisition of Periodica as it complements their mission
to offer comprehensive services to every type of library and information
centre worldwide.

The purchase of Periodica positions Faxon Canada as the leading supplier
of French language materials in Canada and solidifies their already
significant presence in the Quebec library and information market.

                             #  #  #

*************************************************************************
*  Virginia Roy                                                         *
*  Marketing Manager                               Tel: (416) 440-8900  *
*  Faxon Canada Ltd.                               Fax: (416) 440-0478  *
*  79 Brookdale Avenue                          E-mail: royv@faxon.ca   *
*  Toronto, ON M5N 1P2                             Web: www.faxon.com   *
*  Canada                                                               *
*                            A DAWSON COMPANY                           *
*************************************************************************