STAMFORD, Conn., Sep 13, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI), the leading provider of integrated mail and document management solutions, has enlisted actors, musicians, athletes and politicians to design and autograph envelopes as part of its program to support literacy during National Literacy Month this September.

The "Pitney Bowes Pushing the Envelope to Support Literacy" program is a global initiative to raise awareness of and funding for select literacy charities in the U.S. and Europe through the auction of one-of-a-kind celebrity-designed envelopes. The envelopes will be auctioned off on eBay from September 22-29 (http://www.ebay.com/pitneybowesread), and all proceeds will go the following four literacy organizations: First Book, the National Center for Family Literacy, ProLiteracy Worldwide and Reading Is Fundamental. The U.K. auction will run from September 30 to October 8, and all proceeds will go to the National Literacy Trust.

Bruce P. Nolop, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Pitney Bowes, explains that "Pushing the Envelope" is a natural tie to the company's business platform. "Our core business revolves around communications and supporting literacy is the focus of our philanthropic efforts. The ability to communicate effectively -- which includes being able to read and understand what is being communicated -- is the cornerstone of both personal and professional success. We encourage everyone to participate in the envelope auctions to support the literacy charities and the people they assist."

    To date, contributors to the U.S. eBay auction include: **

    -- Hank Aaron - Baseball Hall of Famer
    -- Marcus Allen - NFL Hall of Famer
    -- Dr. Maya Angelou - Poet, Author, Actress
    -- Sean Astin - Actor and Director
    -- Halle Berry - Oscar winning actress
    -- David Broder - Political Columnist Washington Post
    -- Janet Evans - 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist
    -- Doug Flutie - San Diego Chargers football player
    -- Jason Kidd - NJ Nets basketball player
    -- Matt Lauer - Co-host Today Show
    -- Lindsay Lohan - Actress, Mean Girls
    -- Eli Manning - #1 Overall NFL Draft Pick
    -- Christina Milian - Actress, Singer
    -- Beverly Mitchell - Actress, 7th Heaven
    -- Brittany Murphy - Actress, Little Black Book
    -- Mike Myers - Actor and Comedian
    -- Jeff Probst - Host of Survivor
    -- Al Roker - America's Most Loved Weatherman, Today Show
    -- Molly Shannon - Actress
    -- Brittany Snow - Actress, American Dreams
    -- Joe Torre - NY Yankees Manager
    -- Bill Walton - NBA Hall of Famer
    -- Sharon Stone - Actress
    -- Ryan Seacrest - Host American Idol

As part of the program in the U.S., actress and writer Molly Shannon, best known for her many characters on the NBC-TV comedy show Saturday Night Live, will participate in a "Children's Reading Hour" at a New York City public school on Wednesday, September 22.

Pitney Bowes Inc. is the world's leading provider of integrated mail and document management systems, services and solutions. The $4.6 billion company helps organizations of all sizes reduce costs, increase effectiveness and enhance customer relationships. The company's 80-plus years of technological leadership has produced many major innovations in the mailing industry and more than 3,500 active patents with applications in a variety of markets, including printing, shipping, encryption and financial services. With approximately 33,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than 2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations. More information about Pitney Bowes can be found at http://www.pb.com.

** For a list of participants in the London auction, visit http://www.pushingtheenvelope.info

     Contact:  Marianne Fulgenzi
               Director, External Affairs
               203-351-6974
               marianne.fulgenzi@pb.com

SOURCE Pitney Bowes Inc.

Marianne Fulgenzi, Director, External Affairs, of Pitney Bowes
Inc., +1-203-351-6974, marianne.fulgenzi@pb.com

http://www.pb.com