a sheet holder for releasably restraining a stack of sheets of varying thickness so that operations such as writing or drawing can be performed on the top sheet . the sheets are supported on a stack support shelf secured to a base . a retainer is pivoted to the same base and has a portion which overlies the front edge of a stack of sheets on the support shelf . a rubber band , spring or other elastic member may be provided to apply a force to the retainer urging it into retaining engagement with the stack of sheets and an alignment member acts as a guide to maintain the sheets in the stack in alignment with each other . the elastic member and the alignment member may be the same part . in one embodiment the retainer also serves as a hand rest for a person performing operations on the stack of sheets . a prop or leg may be provided to releasably hold the retainer out of contact with the stack of sheets so that sheets may easily be added or removed . the alignment member is operative to maintain the stack of sheets in substantial alignment even when the retainer is held out of contact with the stack of sheets and the retainer will maintain stabilizing pressure on the sheets whether there is a relatively thick stack of sheets or only a single sheet on the support shelf . various alternative constructions are shown and described .