Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To members of the Administrative Committee of the

     Bowne & Co., Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan:

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (No. 033-35810) on Form S-8 of Bowne & Co., Inc. of our report dated June 8, 2005 relating to the statements of net assets available for benefits, as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2004 of Bowne & Co., Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan and the related supplemental schedule as of December 31, 2004, which report appears in the December 31, 2004 Annual Report on Form 11-K of Bowne & Co., Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan.

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

June 23, 2005