Holder for storing and supporting articles

A holder (10) is disclosed for storing books and similar articles and for supporting the articles in open position includes a body (14) and a cover (16) hinged together to define a right rectangular polyhedron shape when the holder is closed. The cover (16), which forms the upper portion of the holder (10), is pivotable forwardly and downwardly about a pair of double-acting hinges (18) located along a horizontal centerline on the front wall of the holder (10). The cover (16) includes a top wall (46) which forms the top of the holder (10) when the cover (16) is closed and then lies flat on the surface on which the holder is standing when the cover (16) is open. An abutment lip extends transversely to the rear edge of the top wall (46) to downwardly engage with portions of the rear wall (24) of the body (14) when the cover (16) is closed to serve as a latch and extends upwardly when the cover (16) is open to serve as a stop for the lower edge of an article being supported in upright orientation against the holder (10).