An apparatus (50) comprising, sheet stacking means (55) for stacking and storing a plurality of sheets (54), rotary paper feed means (53A,53B) brought into contact with the sheet to feed it, biasing means (56) for biasing the sheets stacked toward the rotary paper feed means (53A,53B), separating means, having an inclined surface (57) for bringing the sheet fed into contact with the inclined surface (57) to separate only one sheet and supply the separated one sheet to the downstream side, and maintaining means (64), brought into contact with the uppermost surface for maintaining the uppermost sheet at a position corresponding to the inclined surface (57) against a biasing force of the biasing means (56).