EXHIBIT 23.1


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors & Stockholders
Bowne & Co., Inc.:


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement
dated December 15, 2003 on Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 of Bowne &
Co., Inc. of our report dated  February 19, 2003, except as to Note 16, which
is as of September 10, 2003,  with respect to the consolidated balance sheets
of Bowne & Co., Inc. and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and
the related consolidated  statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and
cash flows for each of the  years in the three-year period ended December 31,
2002. Our report refers to  the adoption of the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards  No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets"
in the year ended December 31,  2002, and the adoption of the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting  Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal  Activities" in the fourth quarter of the year
ended December 31, 2002. We also  consent to the reference to our firm under
the heading "Independent Auditors"  in such Registration Statement.


/s/ KPMG LLP


New York, New York
December 12, 2003