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                                                                     EXHIBIT  23
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 2-96887, 33-48831 and 33-35810 and Form S-3 No. 333-18629)
pertaining to the Stock Option Plans, Employees' Stock Purchase Plan and the
registration of 261,438 shares of Common Stock of Bowne & Co., Inc. and in the
related Prospectuses of our report dated December 10, 1996 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Bowne & Co., Inc. and
Subsidiaries included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
October 31, 1996.
 
                                                  ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
New York, New York
January 27, 1997
