SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                     FORM 15

      Certification and Notice of Termination of Registration under Section
      12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Suspension of Duty to
           File Reports Under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Securities
                              Exchange Act of 1934.

                                                  Commission File Number: 1-2267

                              THE MEAD CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Courthouse Plaza Northeast, Dayton, Ohio 45463, (937) 495-6323
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     (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,including area code,
                  of registrant's principal executive offices)


            8.125% Debentures due 2023 (approx. 43 holders of record)
            7.125% Debentures due 2025 (approx. 36 holders of record)
            7.35% Debentures due 2017 (approx. 19 holders of record)
            6.84% Debentures due 2037 (approx. 32 holders of record)
            7.55% Debentures due 2047 (approx. 23 holders of record)
            6.60% Debentures due 2002 (approx. 62 holders of record)
            Medium-term Notes (CUSIP 58283K-AA-9) due from 2002-2020
                          (approx. 1 holder of record)
            Medium-term Notes (CUSIP 58283K-AC-5) due from 2002-2020
                         (approx. 4 holders of record)
            Medium-term Notes (CUSIP 58283K-AD-3) due from 2002-2020
                         (approx. 3 holders of record)
            Medium-term Notes (CUSIP 58283K-AE-1) due from 2002-2020
                          (approx. 1 holder of record)
            Medium-term Notes (CUSIP 58283K-AG-6) due from 2002-2020
                         (approx. 2 holders of record)
            Medium-term Notes (CUSIP 58283K-AH-4) due from 2002-2020
                         (approx. 4 holders of record)

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            (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)


                                      None
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   (Titles of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file reports
                      under section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)


     Please place an X in the box(es) to designate the appropriate rule
provision(s) relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports:

         Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(i)    [ ]        Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)    [X]
         Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii)   [ ]        Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii)   [ ]
         Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)    [ ]        Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)    [ ]
         Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii)   [ ]        Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii)   [ ]
                                           Rule 15d-6             [ ]


                                      -2-


     Approximate number of holders of record as of the certification or notice
date: See above

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, The
Mead Corporation has caused this certification/notice to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned duly authorized person.

DATE:  March 25, 2002        BY:  /s/ Peter H. Vogel, Jr.
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Peter H. Vogel, Jr.
                                  Title:  Vice President, Finance & Treasurer

Instruction: This form is required by Rules 12g-4, 12h-3 and 15d-6 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
registrant shall file with the Commission three copies of Form 15, one of which
shall be manually signed. It may be signed by an officer of the registrant, by
counsel or by any other duly authorized person. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed under the signature.