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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


          We consent to the reference to our firm under the Caption "Experts"
in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333- ________) and related
Prospectus of Bowne and Co., Inc. for the registration of 30,000 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
December 10, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Bowne & Co., Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
October 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                                                  

                                                 ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New York, New York
April 25, 1997
