Pitney Bowes Inc.  -  Form 8-K


                                                                     Exhibit (i)

                                                Contact:

                                                Press -      Sheryl Y. Battles
                                                             Executive Director,
                                                             External Affairs
                                                             (203) 351-6808

                                                Financial -  Michael Monahan
                                                             Director,
                                                             Investor Relations
                                                             (203) 351-6349


                    PITNEY BOWES DECLARES 2-FOR-1 STOCK SPLIT


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stamford, Conn., October 6, 1997-- Today, the board of directors of Pitney Bowes
Inc.  (NYSE:PBI)  declared a  two-for-one  split of the  company's  common stock
subject to approval by  stockholders  of an amendment of the company's  Restated
Certificate  of  Incorporation.  The  amendment  will  increase  the  number  of
authorized common shares from 240,000,000 to 480,000,000  shares. The split will
be  effected  through a dividend  of one share of common  stock for each  common
share outstanding.
     Notes  Pitney  Bowes  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  Michael  J.
Critelli,  "The strength of our core  business,  focus on profitable  growth and
solid financial foundation are all reflected in the steady increase of our stock
valuation.  We are excited  about  today's  stock split  declaration  because it
underscores  our  confidence in the continued  growth and  profitability  of the
company,  and the  success of our  ongoing  strategy  to  generate  and  deliver
enhanced  shareholder  value. The lower post-split trading price should make our
stock even more attractive to the public."
     The proposal will be voted on by  stockholders  of record as of October 24,
1997, at a special  stockholders  meeting  December 18, 1997.  If approved,  the
company will  distribute  the stock  dividend on or about January 16, 1998,  for
each share held of record at the close of business  December 29, 1997.  The last
Pitney Bowes stock split was in 1992.
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